Ex-Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has promised to approach his new role with Fox League the same way he played the game – honest, uncompromising and unafraid to divide opinion. The three-time NRL premiership winner is the newest addition to the Fox League panel, making his debut appearance during last week’s World Club Challenge alongside Yvonne Sampson and one-time teammate Cooper Cronk.
JWH will be a regular panellist on the network’s Super Saturday coverage throughout the season. After playing 316 NRL games for Manly and the Roosters and winning a Challenge Cup with Hull KR last season, the 37-year-old has made a quick transition to the media after a surprise invite from Fox Sports’ boss Steve Crawley.
Asked by Yahoo Sport Australia if calling out players he played with or against could be a problem, Waerea-Hargreaves declared: “To be honest, not really. I think as the game unfolds and things come up, I’m there to comment on it.
“I’m not really going to overthink it too much. I’m just going to call it as I see it and go from there. What I’ve got to say might upset people at times but hopefully, having played the game until recently, it will be worth listening to. You could easily take things personal but you’re there to comment on what happens…that’s how I’m looking at it.”
Crawley told The Australian his “gut” instinct convinced him the former front-rower would be an instant hit in front of the camera. “They need to have strong opinions and a presence – Jared’s got both,” Crawley said.
“You always knew when Jared was playing and it’s the same in commentary – the best ones get noticed. This (signing him) has been a mission for me for a lot of years.”
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves relishing new role on TV
Waerea-Hargreaves, who was suspended for a total of 30 games during his NRL career, promised: “I went hard on the field and I will go hard at this. I’m grateful for the opportunity and happy that I’ve now ripped the Band-aid off in the Broncs-Hull KR game and can get into the season.
“I had two good people either side of me in Yvonne and Coops and they looked after me and made things really comfortable. The playing side of things is over and I’m loving being on the other side of the fence and giving my thoughts and opinions.”
Waerea-Hargreaves will be on deck next Saturday when Cronulla host Gold Coast in the early game. That’s set to be followed by what promises to be a fiery encounter between Manly and Canberra at 4 Pines Park.
