He is still waiting for official confirmation but Kurt Mann is preparing to wear the No.6 jersey for Newcastle’s season-opener against the Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium on March 14.
The versatile Queenslander, who turned 27 last Sunday, hopes it is the start of a long and successful partnership with captain Mitchell Pearce and the end of his career as an everywhere man.
After former coach Nathan Brown experimented with several combinations in the key play-making positions last year, Adam O’Brien is expected to start his first campaign as an NRL head coach with Mann and Pearce in the halves, Kalyn Ponga at fullback and Sharks recruit Jayden Brailey at hooker.
“That’s where I play my best footy so I’m really excited about that,” Mann said on Wednesday.
“Adam spoke to me at the start of pre-season and said he wanted me to work on three things – my kicking, my defence and make sure I’m hitting my money with my passes – and that should be enough.”
Knights spine eager for continuity
The Knights are desperate to establish some cohesion and consistency after missing the play-offs for the past six seasons, which included three straight wooden spoons from 2015 to 2017.
Mann spent his first six NRL seasons as a utility player, covering every position in the back-line, but prefers the halves and has the inside running despite newcomer Tex Hoy’s eye-catching trial form.
Other contenders such as Mason Lino (shoulder) and Phoenix Crossland (pelvis) have been hampered by injuries, and Connor Watson is being considered for the utility role off the bench.
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“He (O’Brien) hasn’t actually said it to me, and Tex has obviously played well during the trial period, so it’s going to be his decision. He hasn’t really named any of the boys in the side yet, so I guess we’ll find out maybe at the start of next week,” Mann said.
“That’s where I’ve been training, so that’s where I spent most of my time all pre-season and played a fair bit of footy there during the trials, so my aim is to be playing in that position and that’s where I’m going to prepare.
“I was a bit hot and cold at times [against the Dragons and Roosters] but that’s trials though. Everyone goes into trials with a bit of rust there, because you haven’t played for so long.
“Everyone’s trying to impress … and we tried a few new things early on in the trials, then last game we played a Roosters side that was a bit under-strength – they didn’t play any of their stars – so it’s a bit hard to tell, but I’m sure we’ll be ready by round one.”
Brailey to take pressure off Pearce
Mann expects 23-year-old Brailey to bring composure to a team that often lacked direction at critical moments in close games last season, especially when attacking their opponents’ goal-line.
That will help ease the pressure on Mann and 30-year-old Pearce, and will in turn create opportunities for 21-year-old Ponga lurking in and around the rucks.
“Jayden’s been a massive signing for us. He’s a real steady head and he plays like a veteran,” he said.
“He’s only a young kid but he’s pretty calm and steady there … for us as a spine. ‘Pearcey’ is ‘Pearcey’, and everyone loves to play with ‘Pearcey’ because he’s a great leader at this club.”
