Monday Buzz: Why Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is the most inspirational player in NRL

After starting the year on the bench, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has regained his status as the NRL’s premier prop. This is the story behind the resurgence.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson and top prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

There are few more inspirational footballers in the NRL than old Sydney Roosters front-row enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

When the Roosters lost four great forwards in Boyd Cordner, Lindsay Collins, Jake Friend and Victor Radley (five weeks) plus James Tedesco and Angus Crichton to Origin, someone needed to step up.

Waerea-Hargreaves, 32, has not only stood up but also become the premier front-row forward in the competition over the last six weeks.

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His stats compared to other top middle forwards since round 12 reveal a stunning example of old-school front-row dominance, endurance and leadership.

A player who is defying the theory that old warhorses have no place in the modern game.

The big man with the big motor is averaging 70 minutes and 180 metres per game over the last six weeks.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was brilliant against the Bulldogs (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

In modern rugby league this is quite remarkable and far superior to the likes of even James Fisher-Harris, Daniel Saifiti, Payne Haas, Josh Papalii or Jason Taumalolo.

It’s interesting in that JWH is player who was once seen as such a liability.

Too many penalties, too much ill-discipline, too many suspensions.

For everything great he did on a football field he would do something stupid.

This is a wild player who has had no less than 21 charges from the match review committee over his career — 11 high tackles, 7 dangerous contacts and three for contrary conduct.

His fines have almost kept the NRL in business.

What we love about JWH is that he is one of the last from the old school style of front-rowers.

He doesn’t have the leg speed and is not as dynamic as opponents but there is no-one tougher.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is an old-fashioned prop (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Roosters coach Trent Robinson reveals a great story from two weeks ago against Melbourne Storm when the team was getting belted on a Thursday night.

“I tried to replace him but he wouldn’t come off,” Robinson said.

“We were getting well beaten. In situations like this we either say to the trainers go and check on them or go and grab them. Jaz just said ‘I’m not coming off’. Not angrily. It’s was just his leadership.”

Roosters coach Trent Robinson and top prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

That he is still playing so powerfully after 13 seasons and 252 games is no surprise to anyone at the Roosters. He’s survived so long because he doesn’t look for or take soft options.

“Some of the older guys will get a bit cunning and look for short cuts,” Robinson explained.

“Jaz looks for combat. He doesn’t run at halves or small hookers like other front-rowers.

“He likes to run into front-row forwards. Always. That’s just him.”

Robinson said Waerea Hargreaves automatically switched into captaincy and senior leadership mode when the big names and leaders kept falling one by one.

All the big name forwards plus Luke Keary.

“Jaz had a heavy weight put on his shoulders and people can react to that in different ways,” Robinson said.

“He’s had to carry it during the week and on game day. That’s him and the way that he is.

“There’s been no conversation between us. We’ve had enough time together and enough one on ones. Jaz knew he had to assume a bigger role. You don’t tell people what’s right in front of them.

“It’s just his culture and character and an attitude that ‘I’ll take care of this’.”

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Why Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is the most inspirational player in NRL