‘Recovered very quickly’: Roosters ‘fume’ at Broncos star as JWH on report for ‘pedantic’ penalty

Roosters players were left fuming after a bizarre moment that left Jared Waerea-Hargreaves on report for a controversial leg pull in a contentious tackle.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was confused by the call.

Roosters players were left fuming at Broncos prop Ryan James after Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was placed on report for a controversial leg pull in a contentious tackle.

Waerea-Hargreaves was penalised for allegedly twisting James’ knee as he was standing at marker, but Roosters players accused the Brisbane forward of taking a dive to gain a penalty.

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“So what is happening here?” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League. “Did his knee get twisted in that?”

Referee Grant Atkins placed Waerea-Hargreaves on report for dangerous contact as both sides were involved in a heated back and forth in a huddle surrounding the incident.

“You’re on report for dangerous contact on his knee,” Atkins said to Waerea-Hargreaves.

“You grab his leg and lean forward. And the penalty is against you.”

Ginnane and Greg Alexander questioned whether James was using gamesmanship to try and milk a penalty.

“Wow,” Ginnane said. “They are not happy at Ryan James. They are furious the Roosters.”

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was confused by the call.

“I’ve never seen that,” Greg Alexander added.

“Someone penalised for grabbing someone else’s leg who is standing at marker.

“He can be penalised for just making contact with the marker. Get your hands off.

“But when it is a potential game decider that is a pedantic penalty.

“I will say Ryan James has recovered very quickly.”

Corey Parker revealed on the sideline that the Roosters were furious at James long after the incident had passed.

“Waerea-Hargreaves is absolutely fuming at Ryan James,” Parker said.

“The middles and Angus Crichton are not happy that Ryan James laid down to get a penalty there.

“This could really heat up the last 16 minutes.”

The Roosters will now sweat on the match review committee in the hope Waerea-Hargreaves is not rubbed out with a suspension.

On social media, the opinion was split on the incident.

9 News Queensland sports presenter Michael Atkinson tweeted: “That seemed very unnecessary from JWH”.

NCA Newswire’s James Smith added: “A pedantic penalty? He grabbed the marker’s leg.”

But Newscorp national and features lead Rob Sutherland wrote: “Ryan James used to have bad luck with injury, now he’s a masterful diver. Evolution of the veteran eh?”

Originally published as ‘Recovered very quickly’: Roosters ‘fume’ at Broncos star as JWH on report for ‘pedantic’ penalty