Brits Down Under: Duo add extra firepower to Tigers, Whitehead to lead Canberra and Burgess back in the NRL
A new season of NRL is set to get underway this week and with that we bring back Brits Down Under, with an added duo of Jackson Hastings and Oliver Gildart!
Jackson Hastings
The 26-year-old is one of two new inclusions to Brits Down Under this year. The once Great Britain international joined the Wests Tigers from Wigan earlier in the off-season. The stand-off featured for the western Sydney club during the pre-season trials and has already shown glimpses of exactly what he can bring to the side. He helped the Tigers to a 16-8 victory over the Roosters. During the game he played a big part in his side’s final try as he produced a slick pass to allow Alex Seyfarth through to score.
The Tigers have lacked that extra punch in the halves over the last two seasons. However, the acquisition of Hastings could potentially be a step in the right direction. His ball playing and dynamism is set to create plenty of chances for Michael Maguire’s side going forward as they look to challenge for a play-off spot.
Herbie Farnworth
The young Brisbane centre did not feature in the loss to North Queensland on Saturday. He was withdrawn from the squad due to COVID protocols. Even so, there may be plenty of eyes on the 22-year-old over the course of 2022 as he has continued to establish himself as a great ball running strike centre. He has also been a huge bright spark for the Broncos during torrid times last season. Also, with Farnworth in the last year of his contract there has been plenty of speculation regarding his future. So, the upcoming season provides a great opportunity for the Lancashire born three-quarter to keep making a name for himself.
Oliver Gildart
The second addition to Brits Down Under this year with Gildart joining former team-mate Hastings at the West Tigers. The 25-year-old has already featured for the Tigers during the pre-season. Like Hastings, he has shown snippets of what he can potentially bring to a side looking to thrust themselves back into NRL Finals contention. In the win over Sydney on Friday, the former Wigan centre had a solid outing taking six carries for 86 metres and 29 post contact metres. In terms of the 2022 season, the England and Great Britain international looks to have a clear shot at the Tigers’ centre spot and with his strong ball carrying and try scoring prowess it adds some extra firepower on the back-line alongside the likes of David Nofoaluma, Daine Laurie, James Roberts and Ken Maumalo. Over the years, the adjustment has proven difficult for English backs coming over from Super League but Gildart certainly has the skillset to break that mould.
Tom Burgess
Over the last couple of seasons, the 29-year-old has cemented himself as one of top props in the league with his powerful carrying. In 2021, he led the Rabbitohs in run metres and carries throughout the year. The barnstorming front-rower came off the bench during South Sydney’s Charity Shield loss over St. George Illawarra on Saturday. With it being pre-season, it was not the ferocious performance as what we have been used to seeing with Burgess putting together a steady effort of eight carries and 69 metres. Now as we go into the 2022 season, Burgess is still the key leader in the forward pack and whether he starts or comes off the bench his powerful ball carrying will be key asset for Jason Demetriou’s side.
George Burgess
The former Rabbitohs man is back in the NRL this year after a short stint in Super League with Wigan. He now joins St. George Illawarra for new season. The 29-year-old went up against his former club on Saturday as the Dragons saw off South Sydney. The bulldozing prop came off the interchange and turned in a similar display to that of his brother, securing 62 metres from seven carries. It has been a tough road back to the field for Burgess. He sat out the whole of 2021 due to the extensive rehab programme after having hip surgery. If back to his best he presents a tenacious addition to the Dragons forward pack.
Elliott Whitehead
The 32-year-old was as steady as ever in Canberra’s close fought pre-season win over Manly last Friday. The experienced back-rower took six carries for 45 metres whilst making 14 tackles. After a disappointing season for the Raiders last year, there is now a change in leadership going into the 2022 season. Whitehead takes over as captain. The England and Great Britain international’s rugby league IQ and extensive work rate has seen develop a reputation as one of the best and toughest forwards in the league. He has all the qualities to help lead the green machine back into the top eight.
Josh Hodgson
The veteran number nine may not have had a highly productive role in the Raiders’ win over Manly, but he is still key figurehead in the green machine spine. The 32-year-old is one of the best one-on-one ball stealers and game managers in the league. He will be looking to end his time with Canberra on a high as he takes his talents to Parramatta in 2023.
Ryan Sutton
The 26-year-old had his best season to date in the NRL last season. He proved to be a highly effective player on both sides of the ball. The former Wigan man was a dominant ball carrier whilst putting together top defensive efforts. By the end of the season, he was one of the Raiders’ top performers in terms of run metres and tackles made. In the Raiders’ week two trials win over the Sea Eagles, Sutton had a solid effort. He made seven carries, 61 metres and 14 tackles as he gears up for another season. Looking ahead to the 2022 season, the back-rower will now be clearly seen as integral component in a talented Canberra forward pack as his skillset adds even more punch to a Canberra forward pack already featuring Josh Papalii and Joe Tapine.
Luke Thompson
Despite missing chunks of last year due to suspension, it was clear that when on the field, Thompson was one of Canterbury’s top players. The 26-year-old was exceptionally productive both as a ball carrier and a defender, averaging over 100 metres and 30 tackles throughout the season. After a steady first pre-season game, Thompson looked his normal self despite the loss to Newcastle. He took 13 carries for 108 metres and 37 post contact metres whilst making 19 tackles. As mentioned above, the star prop forward has had troubles with suspensions during his time at Belmore. But, if he can get near a full season under his belt then the former Saints man has every chance to be the Bulldogs key man in the forward pack.
Dom Young
The 20-year-old outside back showed great glimpses of potential last year with his size, power, speed and eye for the try line clear to see last. Throughout the season he featured for Newcastle in both the reserve grade and in the NRL. Unfortunately, due to an early season injury and the NSW Cup getting cut short due to COVID, we did not get to see as much of him as we would like. Now with a new season quickly approaching, Young again has the opportunity to further develop his skills whilst showing exactly what he can bring to the NRL.
Harry Rushton
The former Wigan back-rower had a stellar first year down under in 2021. He was one Canberra’s top performers in the New South Wales Cup before the season was halted mid-season. The 20-year-old has played in both the Raiders’ pre-season trials. He gave a great account of himself with a solid effort in wins over Sydney and Manly. Like Young, Rushton will again have to chance to develop in the NSW Cup. If he can continue to put together the kind of performances we saw last year he may just get his opportunity in the NRL soon.
Bailey Hodgson
Like Rushton, Hodgson was able to put together some exceptional displays in the NSW Cup last season. He was looking at seeing some more NRL game time this year. Unfortunately, the young full-back will miss the first few rounds due to an elbow injury suffered in the first week of the trials. Once the 19-year-old returns he will have to sit behind Kalyn Ponga in the pecking order. However, he will undoubtedly get another chance to shine in the NSW Cup. If he can turn in the kind of displays we saw last year then an opportunity to perform in first grade should not be far behind.
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