Former Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has been handed a massive career lifeline after being cleared to play in this weekend’s English Super League final for Hull KR. The retiring Kiwi prop was hit with a three-game ban for a high tackle in last weekend’s semi-final win over St Helens, that looked set to rub him out of a fairytale farewell game against grand final opponents Wigan.
But Waerea-Hargreaves – who is set to return to the Roosters in a mentoring role with the NRL club in 2026 – successfully appealed his Grade C charge and is free to play in Sunday morning’s (AEDT) decider against the Warriors at Old Trafford.
A new disciplinary points system for this season meant the charge for JWH’s high-shot carried a three-game suspension that threatened to spell a sad end to his long and decorated career.
Even a lower-grade charge would have seen the veteran prop miss Sunday’s grand final because of his poor disciplinary record this season. It meant the Rovers had to get the charge completely overturned for a tackle on St Helens winger Jon Bennison that looked soft in the eyes of many critics.
He has been cleared and can play in GF
— NRLCentral (@centralNRL) October 7, 2025
That’s an absolute joke lol that’s not even a penalty
— Bgal1986 (@Bgal1486) October 7, 2025
Veteran Aussie league journalist Phil Rothfield said it was barely worthy of a penalty, and that he was ‘disgusted’ JWH was facing a ban in the first place. “I know this guy’s got history and a long, long list of indiscretions on the field, but that was barely a penalty,” Rothfield said on Triple M. “They should be ashamed of themselves, the Super League match review. He wouldn’t have knocked me out!”
Hull KR’s Aussie coach Willie Peters was also fuming at the prospect of JWH being denied a farewell appearance in the grand final. Speaking before the disciplinary hearing, Peters said: “It would be disastrous if he didn’t play in this grand final because of that incident.”
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves gets lifeline before Roosters return
Fortunately, the league’s disciplinary tribunal agreed and cleared JWH to play, in a huge boost for Hull that allows the veteran to finish his career on his own terms. A statement from the Rugby Football League read: “Jared Waerea-Hargreaves of Hull KR has successfully challenged a Grade C charge of head contact… The RFL’s independent operational rules tribunal upheld the player’s not guilty plea. He is therefore free to play in (the) grand final.”
The news comes as a huge relief for Waerea-Hargreaves, who will bring the curtain down on an incredible playing career after Sunday morning’s grand final. JWS moved to Hull from the Roosters for one season after a 14-year career with the Chooks that included three NRL premierships and a club-record 310 appearances.
The 36-year-old will return to the Roosters in 2026 as part of Trent Robinson’s coaching staff, where he’s set to work closely with the club’s young forwards in a mentoring capacity. Robinson and Roosters captain James Tedesco have both spoken previously about JWH’s influence on their young forward pack, and the veteran will continue to help shape their futures in an official capacity next season.
