- Was also sinbinned in fiery start to Super League season
Former NRL playmaker Jackson Hastings has been forced to explain himself after television cameras captured him in a heated exchange with a spectator following St Helens’ 24-14 loss to Warrington Wolves.
Footage aired on Sky Sports appeared to show the ex-Newcastle Knights halfback in dialogue with someone in the crowd before he seemingly considered climbing over the advertising hoardings and into the stands.
The incident came at the end of a frustrating night for St Helens, who trailed 18-0 at half-time before eventually going down to Warrington Wolves in Paul Rowley’s first Super League game in charge.
Hastings, who was named captain in the absence of Matty Lees, had earlier been sin-binned for a late tackle in the build-up to Warrington’s final try.
But it was the post-match scenes that quickly ignited social media, with some fans suggesting the halfback had lost his cool.
Taking to Instagram, Hastings insisted the situation had nothing to do with Saints supporters and instead involved a man behaving inappropriately near his young daughter.
Hastings confronted the member of the crowd, who later left the stadium following the incident
Hastings said he was protecting his young child, fearing the spectator was getting too close
He wrote: ‘As for the video of me at the end of the game, I’ll never let a grown man act like an absolute clown, say the stuff he did and act reckless around my baby especially over a game.
‘Optics don’t look great but I’m a proud protective dad before a rugby player and her safety at all times is my only concern.
‘His own fans got him kicked out in the end, so I appreciate them Warrington fans for doing the right thing.’
Fans also backed Hastings version of events, with one posting: ‘I was there a wire fan was giving him abuse while in front of his missus and child disgusting no need for it Jackson Hastings did nothing wrong.’
The former Sydney Roosters and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles playmaker returned to Super League this season after completing his move from Newcastle, having previously won the prestigious Man of Steel award during his first stint in England.
The 29-year-old’s return to England was viewed as a significant coup for Saints, who handed him the captaincy for Round 1 in the absence of Lees.
He also assumed primary kicking duties both in general play and from the tee, underlining the leadership responsibility placed on him immediately upon arrival.
On the field, it was a bruising contest. Warrington’s outside backs repeatedly found space in the first half as Saints struggled to contain the early momentum, leaving Hastings and his teammates chasing the game from the outset.
The sin bin for a late tackle only compounded a difficult evening for the halfback.
