Prop forward Jared Waerea-Hargreaves prepared for his return to the Roosters by playing a 30-minute game in the NSW Cup. His teammate Michael Jennings also revealed his ambition to make an NRL comeback at the age of 35.
Waerea-Hargreaves is set to rejoin the Roosters’ lineup, replacing Spencer Leniu, who faces the NRL judiciary after admitting to calling Brisbane’s Ezra Mam a “monkey.”
Leniu could be sidelined for approximately six to eight weeks. Waerea-Hargreaves, who has been mentoring Leniu since his arrival at the club, expressed hope that Leniu’s public apology would be taken into account when the judiciary panel determines his suspension.
“It would be really nice having [Leniu] around and playing together,” said Waerea-Hargreaves, who will make his return from a seven-match ban against Manly next Sunday.
“He’s taken ownership of it, he’s owned it, and it’s a credit to him. It was in the heat of the moment. These type of things, you try to not make them happen, but when they happen, it’s footy.
“I listened to [Anthony] Mundine yesterday, and [how] in the heat of the battle, a few things go on. He’s owned what he said, and hopefully the punishment isn’t too hard. We’re all rooting for him.”
The Roosters’ depth is evident as they can replace a three-time premiership winner with another player who has also won three titles. Coach Trent Robinson, Penrith’s Ivan Cleary, and players Terrell and Taylan May (Roosters and Panthers, respectively), along with Dominic Young, watched the reserve-grade action.
Jennings played his first game in 1,253 days, surviving the entire match at left center and delivering a solid hit on Panthers fullback Isaiah Iongi. Jennings had served a three-year ban for testing positive for prohibited substances and was also ordered to pay nearly $500,000 in damages following a civil dispute.
Robinson initially discussed Jennings’ return at winger Daniel Tupou’s wedding and reiterated the offer during the club’s ten-year reunion for the 2013 premiership. Jennings, who signed a $1200-a-week train-and-trial deal, expressed his desire to play NRL again, stating that he’s playing for his kids’ pride and not for money.
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