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Whenever the Roosters take to the Allianz Stadium turf, with the sounds of Here Comes The Boom echoing around them and the Tricolours fans on their feet cheering and clapping, its always a special moment for those wearing 1-17.


But this Monday night it will be a case of more than just a special moment, in fact almost a case of dj vu, as one of the Chooks takes to the field for his first taste of NRL action in 49 days.


It wasnt anything too different to the last time he ran out behind skipper Anthony Minichiello, alongside fellow forwards Boyd Cordner and Sonny Bill Williams and with good mate Shaun Kenny-Dowall. It was a Monday night, like this will be, and against his former side Manly, like this will be.


But, who is this Chook?


Please, you know who were talking about.. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.


After a five match suspension, a sending off and seven long weeks working away without any chance of taking to the field for coach Trent Robinson, the man they call JWH is back and undoubtedly ready to roll.


And his return couldnt come at a better time, after the side last weekend lost fellow front rower Marty Kennedy for at least two months to a knee injury.


The side has also suffered as many losses in the last month - two - as they had in the opening ten weeks of the competition.


At just 24 years of age and with more than 75 NRL appearances to his name, and 12 tests for New Zealand, Hargreaves may just be the perfect mix of experience and enthusiasm that this high-flying Chooks outfit needs.


After a stellar-start to the season, with just four losses from their 14 matches played, the injection of a player like Hargreaves is a scary prospect for any side still to face the boys from Bondi.


And, speaking of stellar starts to the year, the front-rowers was better than most.


Averaging 30 tackles, 12 hit-ups and more than 108m a game, Hargreaves sat the highest of any Rooster on the Dally M standings with 9 votes going into that infamous Round 9 clash at Brookvale Oval.


Compare that to his 2012 averages and youll see what we mean. Last season, the year he claimed the Jack Gibson Medal for Rooster of the Year, the young man from Rotorua averaged 26 tackles a game and 11 hit-ups for 95m.


They arent huge differences, yes, however when youre making five more tackles, that one or two extra hit-ups and another 10m a game, its the inspiration you give to those around you that makes that difference become a lot bigger.


Hes the leader of the pack, the joker, the king of the kids and the crowd favourite. Hes hungry for the first hit-up in every match and ready to rattle the opposition with his defence no matter where the line is set on the field. JWH is just what the doctor ordered.


And, if we go back to that Monday night just less than seven weeks ago, the one dj vu Hargreaves will be keen to re-live is that winning feeling come full-time.


Welcome back Jared, weve missed you.
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Sydney Roosters respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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