Jared Waerea Hargreaves

Early years

Born in Rotorua, New Zealand, Waerea-Hargreaves is of Māori and English descent. Waerea-Hargreaves later moved to Australia and first made a name for himself playing schoolboy rugby union at Iona College (Queensland), through some impressive performances in the AIC competition, making the AIC rep side versing the GPS rep side. Waerea-Hargreaves joined the Waratahs Academy in Sydney. Waerea-Hargreaves played for Australia at the 2007 Under 19 Rugby World Championship in Ireland alongside future-Super Rugby players, such as Dan Palmer, Pat McCabe and Blair Connor.

Playing career

Waerea-Hargreaves was signed by the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles recruitment manager, Noel Cleal, despite never having played rugby league. Waerea-Hargreaves played in the Sea Eagles NYC team in 2008 and 2009.

2009

Waerea-Hargreaves made his NRL debut against the Brisbane Broncos in round 9, playing off the interchange bench in the Sea Eagles 22-20 win at Suncorp Stadium. In his next match, in round 15, Waerea-Hargreaves scored his first NRL career try in the Sea Eagles 20-14 win against the Canberra Raiders at Brookvale Oval. Waerea-Hargreaves played 6 matches and scored a try during the season. He was also named in the Toyota Cup team of the year. He was selected as part of the New Zealand Kiwis Four Nations squad and made his debut against Tonga. Waerea-Hargreaves scored two tries against France in the Kiwis 62-12 win at Stade Ernest Wallon.

2010

Waerea-Hargreaves joined the Sydney Roosters in 2010 on a three-year deal. For the ANZAC Test, he was selected to play for New Zealand from the interchange bench in their 12-8 loss. In week 1 of the finals, against Wests Tigers, Waerea-Hargreaves was on a receiving end of big hit from Simon Dwyer. The Roosters won 19-15 in golden point extra time due to a Shaun Kenny-Dowall 70 metre intercept try. Waerea-Hargreaves played off the interchange bench in the 2010 NRL Grand Final, losing 32-8 to the St George-Illawarra Dragons. He played in 19 matches for the Roosters in 2010. Waerea-Hargreaves played a match for New Zealand in the Four Nations, a 76-12 win against Papua New Guinea.

2011

In round 25, against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Waerea-Hargreaves scored his first club try for the Roosters in the 36-25 win at the SFS. He played in 21 matches and scored a try for the season. Waerea-Hargreaves was selected in the New Zealand Four Nations squad.

2012

On 6 February, Waerea-Hargreaves played for the NRL All Stars on the interchange bench in the 28-12 win over the Indigenous All Stars. He played in 23 matches and scored 3 tries in 2012. Waerea-Hargreaves played off the interchange bench in the October test against Australia.

2013

For the 2013 ANZAC Test, Waerea-Hargreaves played for New Zealand at prop in their 32-12 loss. In round 9, he copped a 5-week suspension after being sent off for a head tackle against the Sea Eagles. Waerea-Hargreaves played prop in the grand final against the Sea Eagles, the Roosters winning 26-18. Waerea-Hargreaves played in 21 matches and scored a try in the Roosters successful season. He played for the Kiwis in all 7 matches of the World Cup including the 34-2 loss to Australia in the final.

2014

In round 11, against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, Waerea-Hargreaves played his 100th NRL career match in the Roosters 32-12 win. In round 19, against the Penrith Panthers at the SFS, he played his 100th match for the Roosters in the 32-12 win. Waerea-Hargreaves finished off the 2014 season with him playing in 26 matches and scoring a try. In December, the Canberra Raiders offered Waerea-Hargreaves a multimillion-dollar contract but ended negotiations after he failed to meet a deadline.

2015

On 24 January, Waerea-Hargreaves was the co-captain of Roosters 2015 Auckland Nines squad alongside Mitchell Pearce. On 13 February, he played for the NRL All Stars in the 2015 All Stars match. The NRL All Stars lost 20-6 to the Indigenous All Stars. In round 23, against the Parramatta Eels, Waerea-Hargreaves scored one of the best solo tries of the season, scoring a crucial try by steamrolling two defenders and brushed off two more to score next to the posts in the Roosters 28-18 win. In the next match against the Brisbane Broncos, his season ended after he suffered a knee injury. Waerea-Hargreaves finished the year with him playing in 19 matches and scoring 2 tries.

2016

In round 9, against the Newcastle Knights, Waerea-Hargreaves made his return for the Roosters from injury, playing off the interchange bench in the 38-0 win at the Sydney Football Stadium. On 12 May 2016, Waerea-Hargreaves was accused of racially abusing a parking ranger after his girlfriend received a parking infringement notice in Mosman in Sydney’s lower North Shore. Waerea-Hargreaves denied the claims of the racism but admitted he was angry towards the ranger. Waerea-Hargreaves finished the 2016 NRL season with him playing in 14 matches for the Roosters. On 6 September 2016, Waerea-Hargreaves was added to the New Zealand Kiwis train-on squad for the 2016 Four Nations.