The Roosters are facing a significant setback as Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is poised to be absent from the team’s Las Vegas season opener.
This absence stems from a seven-game suspension, of which he has one game remaining, resulting from charges of dangerous contact and striking during the Round 26 clash with the Tigers. Despite the suspension, the Roosters played three additional games in that season, and three games were deducted from Waerea-Hargreaves’ suspension during the Pacific Championships.
The experienced player had been included in New Zealand’s preliminary squad for the tournament, causing each game played by the Kiwis to contribute towards his suspension. According to reports from the SMH, officials from the Roosters made a request for the annual All-Stars clash to be considered in fulfilling his suspension, potentially allowing him to participate in the Las Vegas game.
However, Geoff Bellew, the NRL judiciary chair, reportedly rejected the application. As a result, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will not be able to participate in the match against the Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles are set to face each other in the United States, marking the commencement of the 2024 season with a significant display of rugby league action.
While the absence of Waerea-Hargreaves is a significant setback for the Roosters, there is potential for recruit Spencer Leniu to make his debut for the club and possibly start in the upcoming game.
The former Panther may have the opportunity to team up with Queensland representative Lindsay Collins in the front row, facing off against Brisbane’s formidable duo of Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan.
In an interesting turn of events, the Roosters are scheduled to play against the Rabbitohs in their third game of the 2024 season. Due to Waerea-Hargreaves’ suspension, this game will mark his 300th appearance, coincidentally against the club’s arch-rivals. The Kiwi international is also on track to become the Roosters’ most capped player in history, surpassing Mitchell Aubusson’s tally of 306 games in the course of 2024.
