Former Roosters NRL star Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is free to challenge for one last piece of silverware after overturning a suspension that threatened to ruin his career swansong.
Waerea-Hargreaves will line up for Hull KR in Sunday’s Super League grand final against Wigan after successfully appealing what had initially been a three-week ban for hitting St Helens winger Jon Bennison high last weekend.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves risks missing the Super League grand final for this tackle.Credit: Super League
The Kiwi legend won three premierships with the Sydney Roosters during his 16 years in the NRL, but was also charged a whopping 38 times and missed a total of 30 games through suspension.
After performing strongly in what will be his only season of Super League, Waerea-Hargreaves had faced an ignominious end to a career as one of rugby league’s last true enforcers.
Waerea-Hargreaves’ previous charges for Hull KR had contributed to his three-week suspension, and meant the 36-year-old had to completely overturn his proposed ban to play one last game against reigning champions Wigan.
Bennison was concussed, but there was no penalty awarded, and the video referee did not take any further action.
The RFL’s independent tribunal upheld Waerea-Hargreaves’ not guilty plea on Tuesday evening (AEDT), allowing the veteran to take the field one last time. He is expected to return to Australia next year with an off-field role at the Roosters.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in action for Hull KR this season.Credit: PA Images via Getty Images
“You can’t really put a value on what Jared has given us – there’s the big-game experience, but it’s also what he does off the field, including the intensity he brings and standards he sets at training,” Hull KR coach Willie Peters said before Waerea-Hargreaves’ ban was overturned.
