‘Crossed the line’: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves facing nervous wait

The Roosters are facing a do-or-die challenge against the Rabbitohs next week but could be without some huge stars.

Was this a headbutt? Photo: Fox Sports

The Roosters’ finals chances are alive after a 32-8 win over the Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium on Saturday but the victory may have come at a huge cost.

After losing Joey Manu with a hamstring injury in the first half, the Roosters will have another big headache after firebrand forward Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was sin binned for a late hit on Api Koroisau with 15 minutes left in the match.

But while he was sin binned for that act, question marks were raised after it appeared as though there was a headbutt in the ensuing melee.

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It comes as the Roosters have set up a huge final round clash against the Rabbitohs, with the winner set to potentially nab one of the last spots in the finals.

But the Roosters will be sweating on Waerea-Hargreaves.

While the sin bin for the hit on Koroisau was likely the right call, replays suggested that when Waerea-Hargreaves went head-to-head with Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu, he may have delivered a headbutt.

The hit on Koroisau. Photo: Fox Sports

Was this a headbutt? Photo: Fox Sports

“Oooh geez. The arm’s swinging now,” Andrew Voss said in commentary. “Jared, you are leading by 18.”

After the next replay, he added: “Now Jared’s got a further problem with the head nudge.”

But with a poor disciplinary record, Waerea-Hargreaves could face a three-match ban if he is found guilty of a grade-one striking offence, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Tigers coach Benji Marshall, who has played with Waerea-Hargreaves for New Zealand, said the Roosters hardman could be in trouble.

“It’s hard for Jared, I know him pretty well, he has a pretty big head,” Marshall said.

“Jared is one of those players who crosses the line and turns into this beast and demon on the field and plays on the edge.

“I’ve been in the team with him, you love having those blokes in your team, but I thought he crossed the line tonight, especially with the (Koroisau) hit, but he got what he deserved, (which) was ten minutes.”

Roosters coach Trent Robinson said he “didn’t see much in it”.

“It was a late challenge,” Robinson said. “It was a bit fiery there at times. I felt like there were a lot of late challenges.

“And then ‘Jaz’, obviously, he got it wrong, the timing of that.

“But it was late and should’ve been penalised. It shouldn’t have been done.”

As for why he kept Waerea-Hargreaves off after his sin bin, he added: “I thought we had the game won. I wasn’t there with him so I thought I’d take the opportunity to take five minutes off that and not risk any more fireworks.”

JWH had to take a seat. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

The Roosters will be waiting with bated breath to see if there is a charge from the NRL on Sunday.

However, they will also be sweating on the fitness of Manu.

Standing in at fullback in place of club captain James Tedesco and chasing a Daine Laurie grubber, Manu pulled up and clutched at the back of his right thigh.

Manu tried to “stretch out” the injury with a trainer but cut a forlorn figure, wandering up the tunnel in the 24th minute.

Roosters medical staff later reported that Manu had suffered a “low grade” hamstring injury, according to Fox Sports’ Matt Russell.

Robinson confirmed that it’s “mild” but is still a worry, while other niggles through the game weren’t concerning.

With the Roosters playing for their future next week, the result destines the Tigers to another wooden spoon — the club’s second straight.

With Matt Cleary, NCA Newswire