BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will call time on his illustrious career this Saturday after the Super League grand final.
After more than 370 games for club and country, the 36-year-old will lace up his boots for the last time. And what a career it has been. Three NRL titles with the Roosters. Thirty-three Test caps for New Zealand. A Challenge Cup winner. A legend for both the Kiwis and the Chooks.
In many ways Waerea-Hargreaves, or ‘JWH’, has been a throwback to a different era. An intimidator. A hard nut. An old school front-rower full of fire and brimstone. A prop who always leads from the front, who does his talking on the pitch. A warrior.
He has always played on the line, and sometimes fallen foul of it. But he has been a player who relishes the contact, the fight and never takes a backward step. Someone you would want in the trenches with you. Someone who has both the respect of his opponents, his teammates and even rival supporters.
Waerea-Hargreaves has come a long way from the kid from Rotorua who migrated to Queensland and was raised by a single mother. Who was a gun rugby union prospect but who was snatched from the clutches of the 15-man code by Noel Cleal and brought to Manly. Who left a grand-final winning Manly side to make a name for himself south of the spit at the end of 2009.
Who became one of Easts’ greatest-ever forwards. Who forged a great reputation as an NRL enforcer. Who helped the Roosters to many historic moments over a 15-year period before a final swansong at Hull KR, helping them to glory in England this year as well.
rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads spoke to current and former teammates, coaches, fans and agents to get an insight into the legendary prop.
Adam Cuthbertson played alongside Waerea-Hargreaves at Brookvale, and then against him in the NRL for many years.
“I first knew JWH as a young man who played exactly the way he trained — a fierce competitor who never took a backwards step, even as a rookie,” he explains.
“Before making the switch to rugby league, he was also a highly talented rugby union player and golfer. Despite coming across from union at a young age, he had already achieved a high standard in that code. While the transition to league brought early challenges, he quickly adapted through sheer determination, hard work, and a first-class attitude.
“As a young player, his character was unmistakable. I still recall him arriving at training in an old Holden he’d spray-painted himself — a reflection of his individuality.
“Facing JWH on the field was never easy. He had a presence, loved to set the tone early, and played every moment with uncompromising intensity.
“One of my final memories of playing against him came in an NRL preliminary final against the Roosters, when he run through our captain, Danny Buderus which sidelined him early… which was a huge moment in the context of that game, It wasn’t illegal, just JWH at his very best — imposing himself on the contest with the physicality and drive that defined his career.
“Those same qualities carried him through a wonderful career and ensured he’ll be remembered as one of the game’s most formidable forwards, now both in the NRL and Super League.”
Player agent Steve Gillis managed the prop’s career for many years. He knows Waerea-Hargreaves better than most and describes him as “a natural leader both on and off the field”.
“He has always demanded excellence and has been hugely successful,” Gillis says.
“When not training or playing, he’s one of the most committed dads on the planet. His love and devotion to his wife and children and family members is second to none.
“And while he might look a little scary, Jared is one of the most caring people you will ever meet. When you dissect his career, look at how long he’s been at the top of his game and factor in the success he’s enjoyed – it’s truly remarkable.”
Roosters club historian Alan Katzmann watched the Kiwi up close for 15 seasons.
“For the vast majority of Sydney Roosters fans who were too young to have watched immortal Arthur Beetson or five-time premiership winner Ray Stehr play for the Club, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is widely regarded as the Roosters best prop of their lifetime,” he said.
“Not only is he the Club’s record holder (310) for most appearances in first grade, he played 15 seasons of first grade with the Roosters, and in 118 seasons, only Ray Stehr has played more.
“He was a real fan favourite for not just what he achieved on the field, which was immense, but for the manner in which he interacted with fans. He always greeted fans with a broad smile and would spend considerable time with them.
“The contrast of his perceived on-field persona and the man off the field was stark. I can’t think of a Roosters player who was so embracing of the Club’s loyal fans.
“Whilst opposition supporters often derided Waerea-Hargreaves, based on his lengthy judiciary record, the Roosters supporters never held that record against him, knowing how being the ‘alpha male’ in the Roosters team was crucial to the team’s success, but often led him to cross the fine line between legal and illegal play.
“Fans saw how respected he was amongst his teammates and how opposition players spoke so highly of him as a fierce competitor. He played in four grand finals for the Club, including winning three premiership titles and won an equal best three World Club Challenges for the Roosters. Fans were gutted when he was overlooked for the Clive Churchill Medal in the 2019 Grand Final, which nearly all acknowledged he deserved to win.
“He was the Roosters Player of the Year and Members Player of the Year in 2012 and twice Clubman of the Year (2012 and 2017). In respected David Middleton’s Rugby League Annual, Waerea-Hargreaves has been in his team of the year (as prop) three times (2013, 2015 and 2018). 29 of his 33 tests for New Zealand came whilst he was a Rooster. No Rooster has played as many tests for the Kiwis.
“He is seeking to join Adrian Morley and Jason Cayless as the only players to win an NRL premiership at the Roosters and a Super League title. They also won World Club Challenge titles at the Roosters and Challenge Cup titles in Europe.
“The entire Roosters club will be cheering for Hull KR on Sunday morning (ESDT). Waerea-Hargreaves is not just one of the greatest to play for the Club but one of the most loved.”
At the end of last year Waerea-Hargreaves swapped the eastern suburbs for east Yorkshire. His impact at Craven Park has been just as keenly felt over the past 12 months.
Teammate Jai Whitbread says just Waerea-Hargreaves’ presence alone “is a lot”.
“When you run out on the field with him, even when you’re training, he’s got this aura around them and it makes everyone better, or want to be better. And then obviously when he talks you listen.
“He’s got that experience in big games, and when he speaks he doesn’t speak just to say things. There’s weight behind his words and he backs up his words with actions.”
Robins captain Elliot Minchella describes the Kiwi as “a winner”.
“He’s had success in his career,” Minchella says.
“He’s got bags of experience within his own right. It raises expectations but you look around the dressing room and you’ve got these experienced guys, these winners and that gives you confidence and belief.
“Two of those guys [Waerea-Hargreaves and Michael McIllorum] are finishing and for us to play our part in their last chapter is a real privilege for us. We’ve got a responsibility to send them off the right way and that’s part of our motivation too.”
‘JWH’ may get the fairytale ending on Saturday, he may not. Sport, and life, doesn’t always give you the ending you want nor deserve.
Regardless, his impact on rugby league won’t be easily forgotten.