Jared Waerea-Hargreaves may not miss a single NRL game despite being hit with a three-game ban after it was revealed the Roosters plan on utilising a suspension loophole.
The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield revealed the Roosters enforcer will be allowed to serve his suspension against Leeds in a Rugby League World Cup warm-up match and the first two games against rugby league minnows. It would see him free to play the NRL season opener in 2023.
“We have learnt that Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has copped a three-week penalty for that horrible head slam,” Rothfield said on NRL 360.
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“Well guess what? He will not miss one NRL game.
“He is allowed to serve this three-game suspension against Leeds in a warm-up game for the World Cup.
“It gets worse. Round 1 of the World Cup against Lebanon and then Round 2 of the World Cup against Jamaica. Done and dusted.”
However, Rothfield also revealed the Roosters are trying to keep a wrist injury quiet to ensure that Waerea-Hargreaves goes to the World Cup and can serve his ban before next season.
“There is an interesting sideline to this story,” Rothfield said.
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“I was told today that Jared Waerea-Hargreaves had broken his wrist early in the game.
“He got it needled up at halftime. The Roosters however, will not confirm this.
“They are keeping it very cute to make sure Michael Maguire does pick him for the World Cup and to make sure he doesn’t start next season missing three games.”
Kent noted the suspension will allow Waerea-Hargreaves’ wrist time to heal, before he returns halfway through the World Cup.
“By the time his three game suspension is up his wrist will just about be healed and he will be ready to play,” Kent said.
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‘He might have to sit out that first game against Ireland, but you wouldn’t risk him against Ireland. This is rugby league at its best.”
However, James Hooper commended Waerea-Hargreaves’ toughness for playing the majority of the game with a broken wrist.
“That is a hell of an effort though if he has played with a busted wrist,” Hooper said.
“You can see he has got that right wrist heavily strapped.”
