Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ pectoral muscle injury may not be as bad as initially feared, with the Sydney Roosters hopeful the star prop has suffered a strain, rather than a tear.
A pec tear would likely rule the big Kiwi out for the NRL season, but a strain could mean he might only be sidelined for a month.
Waerea-Hargreaves suffered the injury in the first half of the Roosters’ loss to Melbourne on Saturday night and didn’t return, a move the club described as “precautionary”.
Waerea-Hargreaves will go for scans on Monday, but is unlikely to play in the Roosters’ crucial round eight Anzac Day clash against top-of-the-table St George Illawarra.
Struggling with injuries and suspension, the Roosters have lost three games on the trot and their front-row depth with be sorely tested without Waerea-Hargreaves.
Martin Kennedy is sidelined over an alleged anti-doping violation, while Willis Meehan has been stood down over an alleged robbery.
However, Sam Moa will return to the Roosters’ line-up for Anzac Day after serving a one-match ban.