Waerea-Hargreaves a marked man: Roosters

The Sydney Roosters say prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has a target on his back when it comes to NRL referees after he was sinbinned for swearing by Gavin Badger in last week’s loss to Newcastle.

The Kiwi enforcer was given a spell during a crucial period in the second half after complaining vociferously about the legitimacy of a Tyrone Roberts try.

An irate Tricolours coach Trent Robinson said post game Waerea-Hargreaves had complained of an “effing forwarding pass” in the lead-up to the Roberts try and expressed his incredulity at Badger’s decision to dismiss the key Roosters forward.

Roosters captain Minichiello believes Waerea-Hargreaves has lifted his act significantly this year with regard to discipline, after being the second most suspended player last year, but remains a target for the whistleblowers.

“That is probably a good question, you can tell in the game he (Badger) was on Jared’s back, there is no doubt about that,” Minichiello said.

“He has been pretty good this year, he was probably worse in previous years but it didn’t take much for him to get sent for 10 so that hurt us a bit.

“It (swearing) is not the worst thing in the world.

“In the heat of the battle there are always swear words getting thrown around here and there, I don’t think it was a personal attack that is for sure.”

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