Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has broken his silence about his future, declaring he wants to play on in the NRL – but only at the Sydney Roosters.
Waerea-Hargreaves, 34, will play his 286th game on Sunday against North Queensland, and made it known to club officials during the summer he wanted to continue next year.
Waerea-Hargreaves was linked to a move to Super League club Catalans Dragons, where former Roosters assistant Steve McNamara is coach, and former teammates Mitchell Pearce, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Adam Keighran and Matt Ikuvalu all play.
But with three young children, Waerea-Haregreaves says he has no interest in heading abroad.
Even in his 15th season in the NRL, he remains one of the most frightening enforcers in the game.
“That’s because I’m an ugly bugger – I’m a scary-looking dude,” Waerea-Hargreaves quipped before training in front of about 1000 fans at Brisbane’s Langlands Park on Saturday.
Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves wants to play on in 2024.Credit: Getty
“I’ve been doing it a long time. I enjoy my role. I know what my role is in the team and at the club; I stay in my lane, and you get good at what you are good at.
“You don’t try and fake it or be someone you’re not. I can see myself playing on next year.
“It’s about staying mentally fresh, and hopefully the performances take care of [the future].
“I’ve been here 14 seasons now. It’s a club I really love and I’m passionate about, and hopefully I can continue to enjoy my footy.”
Few forwards are feared more than Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.Credit: Getty
Waerea-Hargreaves was aware of the interest from Catalans, with the club still keeping a spot open on its books as late as last month in case the Chooks’ cult hero had a change of heart.
“I’ve got a really good relationship with Steve ‘Mac’ from when he was at the Chooks, and the south of France entices everyone at the back end of their career,” Waerea-Hargreaves said.
“But I have three young kids, they’re all in primary school, we have a lot of support with our family. As nice as the south of France sounds, it’s a big ask to go over there.
“The Roosters is all I know, it’s what I’m passionate about and I could definitely see myself going again, for sure.”
The Roosters already have Lindsay Collins up front and Penrith wrecking ball Spencer Leniu on the way next year, while a call will need to be made on off-contract prop Matt Lodge.
Waerea-Hargreaves said he had occasionally thought about retirement in recent years.
He recalled a conversation with Balmain legend Steve Roach a decade ago about how front-rowers produce their best football after 150 first-grade games. Should he stay fit, Waerea-Hargreaves will double that number before the season is over, and is shortening odds to break Mitch Aubusson’s club record of 306 games.
“It’s the last thing on my mind – winning a comp is the priority,” Waerea-Hargreaves said about reaching the 300 club. “[But] it would be nice to look back and say you reached a special number like that.
“Going into the pre-season I just had, I wanted to give myself the best opportunity, whether it was finishing up this year or playing another year, you just want to finish on your terms.
“I’ll let my footy do the talking for now, and enjoy what I’m doing. I’ll make a decision over the next couple of weeks.
“I’m sore, but I’ve been sore for 10 years. It’s part and parcel of what we do. I love it. I f—ing love it.”
