Luke Hanson today joins a lengthy list of Australians who have played in the halves for the One New Zealand Warriors, dating right back to Greg Alexander on the club’s opening night on March 10, 1995.
Like Alexander, the 22-year-old Hanson made his way to the Warriors from the Penrith Panthers.
Teamed up with Tanah Boyd in an all-Australian combination today, he has been handed his first-grade opportunity against Newcastle through the absence of fellow countryman Luke Metcalf, who is still sidelined, along with New Zealand-born halves Chanel Harris-Tavita and Te Maire Martin.
In between the opening game in 1995 and the Warriors’ clash today, other Australians who started games in the halves have included Phil Blake, Robbie Mears, John Simon, Ivan Cleary, David Myles, Jason Bell, Nathan Wood, PJ Marsh, Brent Webb, Tony Martin, Nathan Fien, Grant Rovelli, Michael Witt, Joel Moon, James Maloney, Feleti Mateo, Brett Seymour, Chad Townsend, Jeff Robson, Blake Green, Adam Keighran, Bayley Sironen, Sean O’Sullivan, Reece Walsh, Ash Taylor, Ronald Volkman, Dylan Walker and now Metcalf, Boyd and Hanson.
Match: Knights v Warriors
Round 3 -
home Team
Knights
7th Position
away Team
Warriors
1st Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Asked about Hanson’s attributes this week his teammates Boyd, Wayde Egan and Jacob Laban plus head coach Andrew Webster had similar thoughts.
“Plays well above his weight, a great tackler, very tough, team first always, very athletic … he’s fast,” said Webster.
“He’s a great support player, plays a great role for his #7 so when the #7 creates something for him he plays off the back of it really well … and he’s probably the fittest guy in our team.
“He’s a Glenmore Park Brumbies and Penrith junior. He played junior grades at the Panthers, we saw something in him – so did they, by the way – but we wanted to get him over here and give him an opportunity. H
“He has always been that guy who has put effort first but you can see this year in his growth that he feels more confident in himself and he has taken more opportunities. He’s more dominant.”
Laban: “He’s a fit bugger, a strong as, physical halfback. His running game is something you can watch out for. He has got left foot, right foot, everything and a kicking game in there as well.”
Egan: “I think he’s been one of the most consistent players in cup and he definitely deserves his shot. A tough as nails kid, great defender, great ball runner and I’m really excited for him.”
Boyd: “Love playing with Lukey. He’s a fast player, he likes to run the footy. I love creating space for him and feel he plays his best footy when he’s got space. He’s a tough little bugger and he’ll definitely go after them with his defence. So excited for him, so pumped … he’s had a great pre-season.”
