Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, one of the toughest men to play rugby league and a regular visitor to the NRL judiciary during his 16-year NRL career, is set to miss what was to be the final match of his career due to another suspension.
Waerea-Hargreaves won three premierships with the Sydney Roosters during his 16 years in the NRL, but was also charged a whopping 38 times and missed a total of 30 games through suspension.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves risks missing the Super League grand final for this tackle.Credit: Super League
In a serious blow to his plans of retiring with a Super League premiership, the Kiwi international has been charged with making contact with the head of St Helens winger Jon Bennison during Hull KR’s 20-12 victory last weekend.
Bennison was concussed, but there was no penalty awarded, and the video referee did not take any further action during the game.
Waerea-Hargreaves, 36, must now rely on having a Grade C charge overturned on appeal on Wednesday morning (AEDT) so he can play in the decider against Wigan. Should that fail, Waerea-Hargreaves and Hull KR officials can lodge a second appeal.
Hull KR coach Willie Peters confirmed the club would fight the charge on behalf of the rampaging front-rower. Waerea-Hargreaves has performed strongly in what will be his only season in the north of England.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in action for Hull KR this season.Credit: PA Images via Getty Images
“I can’t really comment on the tackle because we’re going to fight it, but we want Jared to bow out a winner, because that’s exactly what he is,” Peters told this masthead.
“You can’t really put a value on what Jared has given us – there’s the big-game experience, but it’s also what he does off the field, including the intensity he brings and standards he sets at training.