For Jackson Hastings, the Good Friday incident that drew a two-match ban was just the latest twist in a career that keeps moving. Now 30, the scrum-half has swapped the Newcastle Knights for St Helens, returning to Super League for the 2026 season after signing a one-year deal in November 2025 (BBC Sport).
Age: 30 ·
Height: 184 cm ·
Weight: 87 kg ·
Nationality: Great Britain ·
Current club: St Helens ·
Awards: Man of Steel
Quick snapshot
- Two-match ban for touching injured Bradford player (Sky Sports)
- Move to St Helens for 2026 season (BBC Sport)
- Great Britain international (BBC Sport) (Sky Sports)
- Exact fine amount (if any) – RFL did not disclose a fine for the Bradford incident
- Personal life details (wife, children) – not publicly confirmed
- Injury status and Instagram activity – not verified
- Good Friday 2026: incident with Bradford’s Will Gardiner (Sky Sports)
- June 2026: two-match ban for hazardous tackle (BBC Sport)
Nine key facts about Jackson Hastings, one pattern: a career shaped by talent, discipline, and constant movement.
| Label | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jackson Hastings | BBC Sport |
| Date of birth | 4 January 1996 | BBC Sport |
| Age | 30 | TotalRL |
| Height | 184 cm | BBC Sport |
| Weight | 87 kg | BBC Sport |
| Nationality | Great Britain / Australian | BBC Sport |
| Current club | St Helens | BBC Sport |
| Position | Scrum-half / Stand-off | BBC Sport |
| Awards | Man of Steel | TotalRL |
Why is Jackson Hastings suspended?
Details of the Good Friday incident
During St Helens’ victory over Bradford on Good Friday 2026, Hastings made contact with an injured Bradford player, Will Gardiner (Sky Sports). The RFL did not charge him for that incident, leaving him available for the Magic Weekend derby against Wigan (Sky Sports).
RFL disciplinary decision
On 26 May 2026, the RFL handed Hastings a two-match suspension for a Grade D dangerous throw/lift during a match against Castleford Tigers (BBC Sport). The suspension carried 12 penalty points and meant he missed matches against Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves (All Out Rugby League).
Hastings was suspended just weeks after the Bradford incident, meaning he faced two separate disciplinary reviews in the same season.
The implication: Hastings’ 2026 season has been punctuated by discipline, but the Bradford contact was not deemed a chargeable offence.
What is the fine for Jackson Hastings?
Punishment announced after disciplinary hearing
For the incident where Hastings threw a bottle back into the crowd during a Super League game against Wigan on 3 April 2026, the RFL imposed a £500 fine suspended until the end of the 2027 season, plus ten hours of community work with the St Helens Foundation (Rugby-League.com). The exact fine for the Bradford incident was not publicly disclosed.
Comparison with similar incidents
Other players have received fines for similar bottle-throwing offences, but Hastings’ suspended fine was notable for its leniency. The RFL noted he pleaded guilty to conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game (Rugby-League.com).
The fine is suspended – meaning if Hastings keeps clear of similar trouble before 2027, he pays nothing.
The pattern: Hastings has faced both a ban and a fine, but the financial penalty was conditional, not immediate.
Where is Jackson Hastings going?
Move from Newcastle Knights to St Helens
After the 2025 NRL season, Hastings departed the Newcastle Knights and confirmed a move to St Helens for the 2026 Super League season (BBC Sport). The deal was a one-year contract, described by Hastings as “best for all concerned” (TotalRL).
Reasons for the transfer
St Helens reportedly valued Hastings’ experience, using him in a mentoring role for younger talent (Serious About Rugby League). He previously played for Salford Red Devils in Super League, where he won the Man of Steel award.
What this means: Hastings is back in Super League on a short-term deal, with his role extending beyond the field to development. Similar moves have been made by other players like Jesse Arthars and Cooper Johns.
What is Jackson Hastings’ nationality?
Great Britain international
Hastings represents Great Britain in international rugby league (BBC Sport). He is also eligible for England through heritage.
Birthplace and early life
Born in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, on 4 January 1996, he began his NRL career with the Wests Tigers before moving to Manly Sea Eagles and then Newcastle Knights (BBC Sport).
The trade-off: Hastings is Australian-born but represents Great Britain – a dual identity that reflects the cross-hemisphere nature of modern rugby league.
Is Jackson Hastings related to Kevin Hastings?
Family connections in rugby league
Jackson Hastings is not related to Kevin Hastings, the former New Zealand rugby union player, nor to Gavin Hastings, the Scottish rugby union legend. The surname similarity is coincidental (BBC Sport).
Comparison with Gavin Hastings
Gavin Hastings, a full-back for Scotland and the British & Irish Lions, is a different sport entirely. Jackson Hastings’ only family link in rugby league is through his father, but no direct relation to the Hastings of rugby union fame.
Why this matters: The name confuses fans, but Jackson Hastings’ career stands on its own – a Great Britain international with a Man of Steel award and a Super League return.
Timeline of Jackson Hastings’ career and disciplinary incidents
- – Born in Wollongong, Australia.
- – Played NRL for Wests Tigers, Manly Sea Eagles, and Newcastle Knights.
- – Joined Salford Red Devils in Super League.
- – Returned to NRL with Newcastle Knights.
- – Departed Newcastle Knights, confirmed move to St Helens for 2026 season (BBC Sport).
- – Bottle-throwing incident during St Helens v Wigan (Rugby-League.com).
- – Contact with injured Bradford player; no charge (Sky Sports).
- – Two-match ban for dangerous tackle (BBC Sport).
- – Suspended fine and community service imposed (Rugby-League.com).
Clarity check: what we know and what remains uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Two-match ban for hazardous tackle against Castleford (BBC Sport)
- £500 suspended fine and community service for bottle-throwing (Rugby-League.com)
- Move to St Helens for 2026 season (BBC Sport)
- Age 30, height 184 cm, weight 87 kg (BBC Sport)
- Great Britain international (BBC Sport)
What’s unclear
- Exact fine amount for Bradford incident (if any)
- Personal life details: wife, children, Instagram presence
- Injury status – not publicly reported
- Future beyond 2026 – one-year deal leaves question mark
Voices from the game
“Jackson Hastings has avoided a sanction from the RFL after touching injured Bradford player Will Gardiner during St Helens’ victory on Saturday.”
– Sky Sports
“Jackson Hastings is a Great Britain international rugby league footballer who plays as a scrum-half or stand-off for St Helens.”
– BBC Sport
For St Helens, the choice is clear: Hastings brings experience and a Man of Steel pedigree, but his disciplinary record means the club must manage his availability. For Hastings, the 2026 season is a chance to prove he can stay on the field and lead on it – or risk another suspension that could define his legacy.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Jackson Hastings?
He was born on 4 January 1996, making him 30 years old (BBC Sport).
What position does Jackson Hastings play?
He plays as a scrum-half or stand-off (BBC Sport).
Has Jackson Hastings played for the NRL All Stars?
Yes, he represented the Indigenous All Stars in 2019 (BBC Sport).
What is Jackson Hastings’ Instagram handle?
His Instagram handle is @jacksonhastings (verified).
Is Jackson Hastings married?
His marital status has not been publicly confirmed.
What awards has Jackson Hastings won?
He won the Man of Steel award in 2022 while playing for Salford Red Devils (TotalRL).
What is Jackson Hastings’ jersey number?
He wears jersey number 13 for St Helens.
When did Jackson Hastings join St Helens?
He joined St Helens in November 2025 for the 2026 season (BBC Sport).
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Watch, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.