UNBELIEVABLE: “It’s not necessary for me to go execute anyone this week,” O’Brien said regarding Knights’ situation.

Adam O’Brien, the coach of the Newcastle Knights, has stated that he has no intention of changing his halves in the future.

For the Knights, the 2024 NRL season has gotten off to a wild start. After Round 2, Coach Adam O’Brien benched Jackson Hastings in favor of Jack Cogger, and then made another adjustment in preparation for Friday’s rainy and intense Round 5 matchup by recalling Hastings in place of Tyson Gamble.

In appalling conditions, Hastings made a triumphant return, with the Knights easily defeating the Dragons.

Hastings and Jack Cogger, who switched to five-eighth for the Red V game at home, put up a strong show, according to O’Brien, who acknowledged that the circumstances prevented him from evaluating all Hastings had been asked to work on.

It’s challenging since you’re probably hoping for a dry day to see all of the stuff I requested him to work on. O’Brien stated on Hastings, “I thought he steered us around the park, and I thought he defended well.”

“I wouldn’t minimize his or Jack Cogger’s contributions to keeping us on course and avoiding overstretching tonight.

“Some of the stuff I wanted him to work on though, that’s not for tonight.”

The coach said he has no plans on changing his halves weekly, but will continue to monitor the performances of Gamble, who came up with a try assist and 17 runs in the Knights’ reserve grade win over the Dragons prior to the NRL game playing at halfback.

“I don’t want to make that change weekly, but I’ll have a look at Tyson Gamble did in reserve grade. From all reports he played a big part in that, but at the moment, those two halves [Hastings and Cogger] can hold their heads up. We got a quite comfortable win, so I don’t need to go executing anyone this week,” O’Brien added.

Kalyn Ponga, meanwhile, claimed that both halves brilliantly controlled the side the entire game.

Tonight’s two halves dominated our team. They had good kicking technique, we were disciplined, and they were involved,” Ponga remarked.

The Sydney Roosters, who will be significantly below strength due to injuries and bans sustained after their unexpected Friday night loss to the Canterbury Bulldogs, present another challenging challenge for the Knights as they prepare for their home match against them on Thursday.

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