NRL 2024: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves sin binned in celebration game as most-capped Sydney Rooster

A bunch of crunching tackles, a predictable stint in the sin bin and a nasty head clash were all in a day’s work for Jared Waerea-Hargreaves as the Rooster celebrated his record as most-capped player.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ celebration turned in the 16th minute. Picture: NRL Photos

A typical series of bollocking runs, a bunch of crunching tackles, a predictable stint in the sin bin and a nasty head clash were all in a day’s work for Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, but this was no ordinary day at the office for the Roosters’ great.

Waerea-Hargreaves pulled on the Tricolours’ jersey for a record breaking 307th time to edge past Mitchell Aubusson and become the famous club’s most capped player of all time - and his performance matched the occasion. It had everything.

The veteran front rower set the tone early for the Roosters and his teammates followed with an emphatic 42-12 victory over St George Illawarra at Allianz Stadium.

The 30 point thumping comes after the Roosters defeated the Dragons 60-18 at the same ground on Anzac Day.

Most of the 23,388 strong crowd whipped themselves into a frenzy every time the 35-year-old got near the ball and when, as though it was part of the script, Waerea-Hargreaves was sin binned by referee Ashley Klein in the 17th minute for a high tackle on Max Feagai, the Roosters’ faithful erupted.

Waerea-Hargreaves with his family before kick-off. Picture: NRL Photos

When he left the field bloodied late in the first half after a head clash with Ben Murdoch-Masila, Waerea-Hargreaves received a standing ovation. At the end of the match the crowd were again on their feet as they chanted ‘Jared, Jared’.

Waerea-Hargreaves debuted for Manly in 2009, playing six times for the Sea Eagles before moving across the bridge to the Roosters in 2010, becoming a three-time premiership winning club legend. He will finish up in the NRL at the end of this season before heading to Hull KR in the Super League and the way the Roosters are hitting form, a fairytale fourth premiership must be in his sights.

The Roosters opened up a 14-0 lead inside half an hour but tries to Jacob Liddle and Christian Tuipulotu either side of the break saw the Dragons draw within two points with 30 minutes remaining. That’s when the Roosters turned on the afterburners with tries to Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton, James Tedesco and Daniel Tupou coming in a scintillating 15 minute period to seal the match.

The win was the Roosters’ fourth-straight, their longest winning run of the season as they head into their second bye next weekend, followed by matchups with Melbourne, Manly and the Dolphins.

Meanwhile, the loss leaves the Dragons just outside the top eight, with a crucial clash with the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday up next.

Angus Crichton pulled up well for Origin. Picture: NRL Photos

ORIGIN WATCH

Blues State of Origin trio Angus Crichton, Spencer Leniu and Connor Watson, along with Queenslander Lindsay Collins, all played well for the Roosters and appeared to get through the game unscathed.

Maroons Ben Hunt and forward Jaydn Su’A tried hard for the Dragons but to no avail.

Su’A was placed on report in the dying stages for a swinging arm on Michael Jennings that forced the veteran from the field.

The Dragons enforcer is reportedly under pressure from Titans David Fifita and Beau Fermor to hold his place in Billy Slater’s squad.

DEBUT KING

Congratulations Rooster #1232 Ethan King 🐓 pic.twitter.com/qyhWIt9SjF

— Sydney Roosters 🐓 (@sydneyroosters) July 7, 2024

He only received six minutes game time, but exciting young back Ethan King made his debut off the bench for the Roosters, spelling Tupou in the closing stages.

The son of former Gold Coast, Manly, Northern Eagles and South Sydney player Andrew King, and nephew of Roosters’ assistant coach and former international Matt King, will turn 22 on Friday and is seen as a potential long term replacement for James Tedesco.