Andrew Johns reveals Jackson Hastings used a ‘facade’ that made him look arrogant at the Roosters

NRL icon Andrew Johns has revealed that controversial Newcastle halfback Jackson Hastings put up a ‘facade’ when playing for the Roosters that came across as arrogant.

Many questions are being asked about Hastings after he was involved in a fiery exchange while playing against the Tigers at Leichardt on Sunday in the latest in a long line of controversies involving the star.

The talented 27-year-old halfback put a high shot on Wests Tigers centre Tommy Talau that broke his nose, and tried to apologise to his former teammate afterwards.

Talau pushed Hastings away after being approached by the Newcastle half, before a security guard stepped in and Wests enforcer David Klemmer gave his rival a verbal dressing down.

Johns, who knows Hastings well after working with him at the Roosters and Knights, gave some insights into one of the game’s most divisive players while talking to Brad Fittler on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth.

Andrew Johns has revealed that controversial Newcastle halfback Jackson Hastings (pictured) put up a ‘facade’ when playing for the Roosters that made him come across as arrogant

The talented 27-year-old halfback clashed with Tigers centre Tommy Talau after breaking his nose with a high shot last Sunday (pictured)

Johns, who knows Hastings well after working with him at the Roosters and Knights, gave some insights into one of the game’s most divisive players

‘I found him respectful [at the Roosters]. I think coming in as a halfback into a team like that, with big personalities … he tried to put up a facade and it came across as arrogant,’ Johns said.

‘But at Newcastle I find him really good. Respectful, loves his footy. From my experience, I could not knock him.’ 

Hastings exited the Roosters on bad terms after what he described at the time as ‘a run-in with a few different people’.

He then played for Manly and left under a cloud following a well-publicised argument with Daly Cherry-Evans and featured in just 13 games in two seasons. 

With NRL teams unwilling to take a punt on him, Hastings moved to England, where he played three seasons with Salford and Wigan.

Hastings returned to Australia to play for the Tigers, but reportedly left after a deteriorating relationship with Tim Sheens.

Hastings returned to Australia to play for the Tigers after a stint in England, but reportedly left after his relationship with Tim Sheens deteriorated

Roosters legend Brad Fittler says he was surprised by the reaction of Talau and the Tigers team at Leichhardt on Sunday

Sheens claims the only reason for his exit was that he didn’t want to play lock for the 2023 season, and Newcastle offered him an opportunity in the halves.

Roosters legend Fittler says he was surprised by the reaction of Talau and the Tigers team at Leichhardt. 

‘I found this weird considering what he did had no malice in it,’ Fittler said.

‘So if he was just going up [and] saying, ‘I apologise’, then I think the Tigers boys are [going over the top] … The action itself, where he hit him in the nose, he was saving a try and no one [initially] noticed [Taulau] getting hit in the head.’