Newcastle halfback Jackson Hastings has rejected any suggestion Kalyn Ponga must be protected in defence, claiming there is definitive proof the returning star can defend in the front line.
Ponga will make his comeback from his fourth concussion in 10 months against North Queensland on Saturday, in what will double as the marquee man's 100th NRL game.
The Knights' decision to stick with Ponga at five-eighth comes after weeks of conjecture over where he is best suited, and whether he is more at risk at No.6 than his old position of fullback.
Data has shown, however, players are more likely to fall victim to concussions while playing at fullback than five-eighth, with Ponga theoretically safer in the No.6.
Hastings also pointed out Ponga has a history of defending in the front line, including in his State of Origin debut for Queensland off the bench in 2018.
"Kalyn doesn't need protecting," Hastings said.
"If you go back and watch his Origin debut when he played in the middle no one was protecting him then. He was putting people on their backside for fun.
"Kalyn has addressed what he needs to address, be it tackle technique or whatever. I just want to see the best version of Kalyn.
"No one in our team needs to protect him, he is a grown man, he can do that on his own.
"Certainly the boys have his back and are looking forward to having him out there. It's a huge lift having him in the team."
Hastings was also adamant his game did not need to change with Ponga back in the team as a strike weapon beside him in the halves.
Ponga and Hastings have had limited time together, playing the one trial match and most of round one as a halves pairing before Ponga went down early in round two.
Without Ponga, Hastings has a 2-2-1 record with Tyson Gamble playing alongside him in the No.6.
Gamble will still come onto the field as a bench utility at times on Saturday to offer a third kicking option, but Hastings is confident he and Ponga can fire quickly.
"Anyone who says we're not a better team with Kalyn Ponga not in it is kidding themselves," Hastings said.
"My job doesn't change with Kalyn back in the side, it actually makes it a hell of a lot easier knowing I can pass the ball to someone doing stuff I could only dream of.
"No one needs to change what they have done for the past six weeks without him, they just need to do their job and Kalyn will be the icing on the cake."
