REPORT: “Coaches under pressure: Andrew Johns discusses the significant NRL halfback problem following significant changes”.
Entering round three, Andrew Johns feels that a lot of NRL coaches are under pressure, which has resulted in a significant change at halfback. However, he supports Newcastle, his previous team, in their decision to bench Jackson Hastings for a game that must be won.
Hastings is one of many No. 7s that have been cut early in the season; other No. 7s demoted by their respective teams include Lachlan Ilias and Jayden Sullivan.
The emphasis is on Adam O’Brien and Jason Demetriou to turn things around on the field after the Knights and Rabbitohs both began their seasons with two straight losses.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behavior, the renowned playmaker acknowledged that the Raiders and Cowboys’ close losses to them led to the decision to leave Hastings out in favor of Jack Cogger.
“Tyson Gamble [at five-eighth] and Jackson at halfback should have started the season together. yet given that they had lost two games, the pressure was high, according to Johns.
“It all comes back to the halfback when you lose the tight ones.
“They’ve obviously gone with Jack Cogger now and there’s also a young guy, Will Pryce, he’ll be putting pressure on Tyson as well.” ‘
Hastings was a part of Newcastle’s incredible late-season push into the NRL playoffs, while Cogger was a part of Penrith’s grand final victory in 2023, coming off the bench in the second half and inspiring the team towards a comeback.
Johns also brought up the problems that Demetriou and O’Brien are having, which has forced both coaches to make difficult decisions early in the season.
“It is a lot, but all those players probably didn’t perform,” he stated.
“Everyone is performing poorly. For such slots, there is competition from all those guys that were dropped.
“For all those teams that have dropped their halfbacks, they’ve just got to win.”
League analyst Phil Gould, who feels Hastings and Ilias were benched during the first two rounds, mirrored Johns’ remarks.
He said, “I don’t see it as signs of panic,” to Six Tackles With Gus on Wide World of Sports.
It’s just a matter of time if you’ve been thinking about making a big shift for some time. That’s why coaching is always available.
“Sooner or later, you’ve got to bite the bullet.”
On Friday night, South Sydney will play their local rivals, the Roosters, while on Sunday, the Knights will play the undefeated Storm.
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