The longest-serving Sydney Rooster has already written himself into Club history books, setting remarkable records following more than 10 years of storied individual and team success.
But the journey of the enforcer is yet to conclude, and after extending his tenure in the Red, White and Blue until at least the end of the 2024 season, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will continue to dominate the national rugby league competition.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves: The Enforcer
One of the most dependable forwards in Club history, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has been an integral member of the Roosters squad since arriving at Bondi in 2010.
| Name | Jared Waerea-Hargreaves |
| Nickname | Jazza |
| Date of Birth | 20/01/1989 |
| Club Debut | Round 6, 2010 vs Canberra Raiders |
| Roosters Player No. | 1105 |
| First Grade Games for Club | 281 |
| First Grade Points for Club | 60 (15 Tries) |
| Premierships | 3 (2013, 2018, 2019) |
| Representative Career | 8 Games Four Nations (2009, 2010, 2011, 2016) 3 Anzac Test Matches (2010, 2012, 2013) 2 Māori All Stars Appearances (2012, 2015) 10 World Cup Matches - New Zealand (2013, 2017, 2022) 3 World Club Challenge (2014, 2019, 2020) |
| Individual Accolades | Sydney Roosters Vice Captain (2013-Present) Clubman of the Year (2012, 2017) Jack Gibson Medal (2012) NZRL Kiwis Player of the Year (2018) |
| Records and Achievements | Fourth most capped Rooster (281 matches*) |
A three-time Premiership winner, proud New Zealand international and Māori All-Stars representative, his ferocity and can-do attitude have been the catalyst to his 15-year first grade career.
But it hasn’t been an easy journey for the now 34-year-old, who moved from Rotorua to Australia when he was nine.
Straight out of high school, Waerea-Hargreaves made the trek south to join the Waratahs’ junior rugby union academy, chasing the dream of being a professional athlete, before he found himself on the Northern Beaches donning a maroon jersey.
After cutting his teeth in the NYC Cup competition for Manly, Waerea-Hargreaves was selected in New Zealand’s Four Nations squad at the end of 2009, going on to make his International debut in a warm-up test against Tonga.
In his first season as a Rooster, he overcame a ghastly dislocated shoulder in the pre-season to make his Club debut, helping the Tricolours to the Grand Final as an impact player - foreshadowing the bravery and courage he would show in the 14 years that have followed.
The ultimate competitor, Waerea-Hargreaves would establish himself in the NRL as one of the most tenacious enforcers, locking down the no.8 jersey in 2012, the same season he claimed the prestigious Jack Gibson Medal and the Clubman of the Year award.
Another dominant year on-field was typified by his 58-minute stint in the 2013 NRL Grand Final, where the forward made 15 runs for 128 total metres, 49 of those coming after contact. He also broke two tackles and made two offloads, in a performance that was recognised with the Members Player of the Year award.
This is my home. It’s an honour and a privilege to wear the Roosters jersey, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to know that I’ll continue to be part of the team we have here.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves After re-signing until the end of 2024
His presence only grew both on and off the field as his time in the Red, White and Blue continued. Lifting when needed and encouraging others to hold themselves accountable when times got tough.
An ACL injury in August 2015 would force the New Zealand colossus to the sideline for a number of weeks, a difficult reality for arguably the most in-from prop of the competition at the time.
He’d return to rugby league nine months later, helping the Roosters claim an emphatic 38-0 win over the Newcastle Knights in his first appearance. New Zealand coach David Kidwell would call upon Waerea-Hargreaves’ services later in the year, with the enforcer representing his heritage against Australia and England.
In the Roosters’ back-to-back Premiership campaign, the tenacious vice-captain would once again step-up to the challenge, balancing his heroics on the International stage with gutsy performances for the Club he calls home.
He received the NZRL Player of the Year award in 2018 after starring in all five Tests that year and backed up his efforts in 2019, recording an average of 136 run metres and 34 tackles across four Tests.
In one of his best performances to date, Waerea-Hargreaves made a game-high 41 tackles in the 2019 Grand Final, tallying a whopping 185 run metres to cap off a stellar season that saw the hulking front rower bring up 200 first-grade games.
The past three seasons have been distinguished by his professionalism, leadership and hard-working attitude, regardless of his age, he proves week-in and week-out that he has more energy and power than ever.
In 2022, Waerea-Hargreaves equalled his personal record for most tries scored in a season, tallying the same number of points he claimed 10 years prior. He stepped up in the most recent Rugby League World Cup, but was sidelined for the finals series following a hamstring injury.
Now just 13 games short of his 300th NRL appearance, he will almost certainly become the most capped Rooster of all time, overtaking Mitchell Aubusson who sits on 306 games.
Stay tuned for part two - The Flyer: A Career in Red, White and Blue...
