Sheens addresses Hastings rift rumour

1 year ago 88

Wests Tigers manager Tim Sheens says the lone crushed Jackson Hastings near the nine to articulation Newcastle was his reluctance to play lock.

Hastings volition enactment up for the Knights against his erstwhile nine astatine Leichhardt Oval connected Sunday. He was released by the Tigers successful November.

At the aforesaid time, David Klemmer moved from the Knights to the Tigers, but Sheens denies determination was a subordinate swap, insisting helium was keen to clasp Hastings.

Rumours persist that a rift betwixt Sheens and Hastings was the origin of his departure, but the seasoned manager insists that isn't the case.

"He didn't privation to play No.13," Sheens said.

"He wanted to play successful the halves, and they [Newcastle] offered him an opportunity. I had him planned to play with Klemmer. He was picked to play No.13 successful our recruitment and plans for this year. But helium wanted to beryllium a pivot.

"That's it, there's thing other to it. I americium successful galore ways [disappointed] due to the fact that helium would person made a bully No.13 down the existent battalion I'm putting together.

"In saying that, you person to privation to beryllium determination and privation to play the position."

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At the clip of Hastings' release, nine brag Justin Pascoe conceded that "tough decisions request to beryllium made" and "not everyone volition beryllium blessed with immoderate decisions we make".

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Sheens and Hastings fell retired aft Hastings ignored a squad bid not to wage his ain mode to a lucifer connected the Gold Coast portion helium was suspended.

Speaking connected Saturday, Sheens wouldn't elaborate connected the matter.

"I won't remark connected it," helium said.

"He was playing good astatine No.13 for us, that's wherever I saw him, and thing other [being reported] is agelong gone. I'm not funny successful talking astir it."

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