JACKSON HASTINGS is happy to embrace the banter as he prepares for his first taste of the St Helens-Wigan derby wearing the red vee instead of cherry and white.
The halfback spent two seasons with the Warriors in 2020 and 2021 but after four years back in the NRL returned to Super League with their great rivals.
He says he got “plenty” of reaction from Wigan fans to his signing in November and expects more from their travelling continent at a sold-out BrewDog Stadium on Good Friday.
“I’m off Twitter (X) because I think it would have started as soon as we got beat on Friday night (at Hull KR),” he told Total Rugby League.
“But that’s what makes this sport so great – people have an opinion and people say what they want.
“I’m all for it, as long as it doesn’t get to a point where it’s too personal. As long as my family is out of it I’m cool with stuff like that.
“One thing I will say is the Wigan fans were great with me when I was there, they supported me through thick and thin, always had my back and were always really supportive.
“The club itself, Matty (Peet, now head coach), Lammy (Adrian Lam, then head coach) and Kris Radlinski (now chief executive) were awesome to me. I haven’t got a bad word to say about Wigan.
“I know people want me to throw jabs in derby week but I’ve a lot of respect for that joint and what it did for my career.”
Hastings is well aware of his derby record while a Wigan player – “I’m one from five. Won one, lost four.” – and admits the Grand Final defeat of 2020, when Jack Welsby scored a Saints winner on the hooter, still rankles.
“I’m biased but I thought as a Wigan player on that night we should have won,” he said.
“That still lives in my mind rent-free. I’ve had to watch it a million times. But I’ve had some amazing memories in those games.
“The one we won here (in October 2020) was massive and if we could rewrite that with me in different colours it’ll be good.
“I just want to be out there again. These are the games you want to play in as a player. Although it’s not a final, it’s got that feel to it.
“It’s bigger than the Roosters-Rabbitohs which I was a part of. That’s massive in the NRL but this just has a different level of intensity.
“The towns are so proud of where they’re from. If you’re from Wigan or Saints, you go for Wigan or Saints.
“That’s one thing I love about English culture and sport, the tribalism of where you’re from.
“From being on the other side last time, I appreciate how they feel about it. Being on this side, I understand how Saints feel about it.”
Hastings says that this derby will be extra special with daughter Scottie, born last April, to be in the stands.
But he added: “I might have to put the headphones on her as there could be a few nasty things said about dad!”