Three-time Sydney Roosters premiership winner and kiwi international Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is set to miss this weekend’s Super league grand final through suspension, thus ending his rugby league career the way he’s always played it—hard.
The unflinching 36-year-old was already set to retire at the end of the 2025 season with Hull KR, but instead of running out against Wigan at Old Trafford, he looks set to be watching from the sidelines.
Waerea-Hargreaves was hit with a Grade C charge by the RFL disciplinary panel following a tackle on winger Jon Bennison in the opening stages of last weekend’s 20-12 semi final victory over St Helens.
While Waerea-Hargreaves was not penalised at the time, Bennison left the field and subsequently failed his HIA with commentators suggesting the veteran kiwi could find himself in trouble.
MORE: ‘Gunna be a total demolition job’: England fans losing it over Kangaroos squad
With carryover points from previous offences, the RFL charge resulted in a three-match suspension that rubs Waerea-Hargreaves out of the grand final to be played on Sunday morning Australian time.
Hull KR has until midday on Tuesday to fight the charges, something they’re highly likely to do in a desperate attempt to have their most experienced forward leader take the field.
Despite finishing second behind Hull KR during the regular season, Wigan Warriors are odds-on to win their third Super League title in a row.
Hull KR is coached by Willie Peters who will link with the Kangaroos as an assistant to Kevin Walters for the upcoming Ashes series.