Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is currently off contract at the end of the 2023 NRL season and at 34 years old the prop still has plenty to offer in the NRL.
Making an appearance in the Round 5 NRL's team of the week after his 180-metre effort against the Eels he will likely be looking for a new deal at the conclusion of this season.
Despite having played almost all of his career in the tri-colours Jared may have to leave the club if he wishes to stay in the NRL.
Below we have five possible landing spots for the Roosters hardman if he looks to continue his career:
1. Sydney Roosters
As for the boring answer, JWH is a strong chance of staying with his beloved Chookies in 2024 and retiring with the club.
Despite the Roosters already having plans for when he leaves, proven with the signature of Spencer Leniu there are still other ways Roosters may find a way to fit him in their cap as they so often do.
It will depend on his performances through the rest of 2023 but there is a chance the Roosters may opt to keep on Waerea-Hargreaves over Matthew Lodge who also has his contract expiring at the end of the year.
While it would be odd to prioritise a 34-year-old prop for a 7-year-younger counterpart, Trent Robinson has proven he will move mountains for a single season as he did with Sonny Bill Williams in 2020.
Provided what he has given to the club in his playing career I greatly doubt JWH could become a liability in an extended season with the tri-colours and I see this as his most likely fit.
“The Tamau departure will free up about the same the side would likely be willing to pay for Wearea-Hargreaves meaning the side could switch in JWH without having to move their cap around too much.”
I find that hard to accept. There were no reports of any club other than the Cows showing any interest in James Tamou. I suspect he is on not-very-much. By contrast, there will be several clubs interested in JWH, so I expect him to command more – even if he is just going to play an off-the-bench impact role for 20 minutes.
We’ll have to wait and see how he goes this season, and what condition he is in at the end of it, but I think he will go to another Sydney club.
Screw this grub coming to the dragons. It was disgusting enough we had McGuire without plumbing new depths with Hargreaves. This guy would make Les Boyd blush.