Clune's cool hand can be Knights' passport to success

Adam Clune has a valid passport and is ready to take his seat on the plane to Auckland if called on to replace wounded halfback Jackson Hastings for Newcastle’s sudden-death semi-final.

Hastings aggravated his ankle injury in the 39th minute of Newcastle’s 30-28 extra-time victory over Canberra and could not return for the second half, putting him at long odds to make the trip across the Tasman to take on the Warriors.

Clune was a perfect three from three filling in for Hastings in Newcastle’s victories over the Rabbitohs, Sharks and Dragons in the final three rounds and is once again on standby to don the No.7 jersey.

Until his call-up to replace Hastings a month ago, 28-year-old Clune has patiently bided his time in NSW Cup, waiting for an opportunity to return to the NRL.

“I’m feeling good. I was ready to go this week if needed,” Clune told NRL.com on his way out of McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday night.

“Obviously Jacko got out there but if I’m needed again this week against the Warriors. I’ve got my passport ready, and I’d be very excited to go and get amongst it.

“I can’t comment on the extent of his injury or what’s going to happen – he’ll get his scans and do what needs to be done and the physio and medical staff will assess that – but mentally for me, I’ve got to start getting ready.

“We’ll enjoy this win with the team for now then switch on and start getting my mind right for the finals – if I’m needed.”

Clune, who will leave the Knights at the end of the season to continue his career with English Super League club Huddersfield, is yet to play an NRL game at Mt Smart Stadium but is excited about the prospect of a do-or-die contest in front of a capacity crowd.

“When you’re in a footy squad, for me personally, I want to be playing first grade every week. And when I’m not, I want to be doing my best in reserve grade each week, and that’s everything – training and trying to get better,” said Clune, who started 18 games for the Knights last year.

“The thing this year that’s probably a little bit different is that all the shapes, how we play, is the same between reserve grade and first grade, so that transition is a little bit easier.

"I probably didn’t think I was going to play any footy," he admitted.

"When you get to the last month of the regular season, and you haven’t played a game – you think you won’t play.

“I had a few opportunities during the season when there were a few injuries in the halves, but I was injured myself and sometimes that’s the way it goes.

“It was disappointing for Jacko, but I was fortunate myself to get a few games at the end of the year, and I think that will hold me in good stead if I’m called upon."

Speaking to reporters after the Canberra game, Hastings said he would forgo an MRI or other scans this week and pay more attention to gut feeling during his recovery and rehabilitation.

Clutching at his troublesome lower right leg, Hastings struggled to get to his feet after his legs clipped each other in a Trey Mooney tackle – ruled out at half-time after he could not prove his fitness in the dressing sheds.

“It was a weird feeling. I couldn’t feel my leg – it wasn’t working from where I got whacked down – so I’m praying I just hit a nerve and it shut my leg off,” Hastings said. “I’m hoping it’s not an extension of what I’ve already done, so I’m not too sure.

“I’m not going to scan it. I’m just going to see how I feel and worry about it at the end of the year.

“I’ll try and get out there next week, but I won’t compromise the team. If I can’t go out there and do my job and I can’t move, there’s no way I’ll play, but if I can, I’ll put my hand up and I’ll have a go.”

Clune watched the heart-stopping victory over the Raiders from the sidelines alongside other squad members, with one eye firmly fixed on the improvements that will need to be made in order to defeat the Warriors.

“I could definitely look at it and think how maybe we could have done things differently as a team,” Clune said.

“I think a lot of the blokes – even those out there – probably thought that at the same time in terms of what we weren’t doing that we’ve been doing previously and what’s worked really well for us.

“But I was just really behind the boys. It was very nerve-wracking, especially as we weren’t at our best, so that was disappointing in that sense.

“Whenever I watch footy, you analyse it as a halfback because I think about footy a lot and I love it – I’m a footy-head – but I try to enjoy it as well."