Roosters prop faces anxious wait

Sydney Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves can ill-afford a charge by the match review committee for a swinging arm on Penrith’s Brent Kite, given his dire record at the NRL judiciary.

Waerea-Hargreaves was put on report in the first half of the Panthers’ upset 19-18 finals win over the defending premiers, and the Roosters now face an anxious wait to see if their most damaging prop is facing time on the sidelines ahead of Friday’s elimination date with North Queensland at Allianz Stadium.

A typically fired-up Waerea-Hargreaves was on a mission early in the qualifying final, crunching Panthers hooker James Segeyaro and then going in hard on veteran Kite, who was forced off the field for a concussion test as a result of the high contact.

Waerea-Hargreaves argued with on-field with referee Jared Maxwell that Kite was falling in the tackle and that the palm of his hand was “open”, but if the match review committee deem the swinging arm was careless or reckless he will likely be suspended.

The New Zealand international has already been suspended twice this year and has 70 carry over points.

That means a grade one charge would result in a one-week suspension if he was found guilty, and a grade two could end his season.

Asked if he was worried about Waerea-Hargreaves being put on report, Roosters coach Trent Robinson simply replied, “No.”

Waerea-Hargreaves missed a match during last year’s finals for a raised forearm and his ill-discipline has cost the Roosters dearly in the past.

As the side’s top metre-eater, he would be difficult to replace given fellow front rower Dylan Napa is currently serving a suspension.

However it’s not all bad news for the Roosters, Queensland back rower Aidan Guerra will return from a one-week ban to take on the Cowboys and hooker Jake Friend is expected to complete his remarkable comeback from a life-threatening injury.

“Jake will go close, he trained well (on Saturday),” said Robinson.

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