Waerea-Hargreaves sledge response led to Roosters hefty suspension

With the Sydney Roosters seething over a star prop’s suspension, it has been revealed what sparked his moments of madness.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (centre) was reportedly baited into his actions against the Wests Tigers. Photo: NRL PHOTOS

Roosters star Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was subject to sledging from the Tigers in the seconds before a “totally unnecessary” act that has him facing a lengthy suspension.

Waerea-Hargreaves is facing a potential seven-game ban over two separate charges from the Roosters’ 26-8 win over the Wests Tigers on Saturday, one of which was for a headbutt on Tigers forward Stefano Utoikamanu.

The Roosters were cruising to victory when the prop shot out of the line and collected Tigers captain Apisai Koroisau’s head with the top of his chest.

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The hit sparked a fracas with Waerea-Hargreaves also charged with striking over what appeared to be a headbutt on Utoikamanu.

The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said on NRL 360 that Waerea-Hargreaves was “baited” by some of the Tigers.

“I got told a couple of the Wests Tigers boys said to him ‘you’re washed up, you’re yesterday’s man’, when they were in that scuffle there,” Rothfield said.

“They revved him up and he fell for it.”

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (centre) was reportedly baited into his actions against the Wests Tigers. Photo: NRL PHOTOS

The latest revelation comes after it was reported the Roosters are privately “filthy” at Waerea-Hargreaves after the “totally unnecessary” act left the legendary front rower facing a lengthy ban likely to spill into next season.

According to a club statement, the front rower has pleaded guilty to his grade one striking charge for the headbutt, meaning he will accept the first three games of his ban.

However, the club will contest the severity of his grade two dangerous contract charge.

If successful, Waerea-Hargreaves will escape with a fine.

If he is found guilty at the judiciary, he will have a further four games added to his confirmed three games on the sidelines.

Benji Marshall has blasted Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, via @MCarayannis.

Details: https://t.co/iQQNqCMN2upic.twitter.com/WdTWmyC1A8

— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) August 26, 2023

Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall said post-match Waerea-Hargreaves “got what he deserved” after also being sin-binned for the act. The New Zealand international risks an even bigger ban should he unsuccessfully contest the charges.

Rothfield strongly condemned Waerea-Hargreaves for leaving his team short at such a crucial time with needless actions.

 “Gosh it’s disappointing,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast on Monday.

“I put him in the top 10 front rowers I’ve ever seen in the NRL and that’s back over 40 years ... but that game was in the bag, they’re playing the Wests Tigers, he’s 34 years of age. He’s played nearly 300 games and it was just totally unnecessary.

Waerea-Hargreaves was sinbinned late in the victory. Photo: NRL PHOTOS

“He now looks like he won’t play any part in the finals if the Roosters make it and it’ll cost him a trip to Las Vegas next year.

“I’m told the club are quite filthy on him.

“Look, he has been such an enforcer there. He’s like the bodyguard for their young halves ... and he’s played such an important role for such a long period of time but I’ve suggested this morning he’s become a liability for the club.

“This happened at the backend of last season as well and for a guy who has been around as long as he has he’s got to learn to control his emotions.”

PLEAS COMING IN: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has copped a 3 match suspension for striking with the early plea, but is seeking a downgrade to his Dangerous Contact charge. If successful, he'll pay a $3000 fine, if not, 4 matches (7 in total)

Details: https://t.co/O7giojdBJk#NRLpic.twitter.com/bmEkU8zPFa

— LeagueUnlimited.com (@LeagueUnlimited) August 28, 2023

Rothfield said it was the latest of several concerning incidents for the Roosters when it came to discipline.

“There’s been a discipline problem at the Roosters for some time. Victor Radley, another player who has spent so much time on the sideline,” Rothfield said.

“At the end of the year, I’m not sure if the Roosters are going to make the finals or not but when we do the wash-up on the Roosters’ season we’ll look back on ill-discipline and moments like this Wests Tigers game that they had in the bag.”

Originally published as Waerea-Hargreaves sledge response led to Roosters hefty suspension