With the risk of losing their forwards enforcer for an extra two weeks, the Sydney Roosters ruefully accepted Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ five-game NRL suspension on Wednesday.
Waerea-Hargreaves was charged with a grade one reckless high tackle for his hit which left Manly’s George Rose wobbly-legged on Monday night, and led to the season’s first send-off.
Had the 12-Test star taken his case to the judiciary and lost he would’ve been whacked with a seven-week ban – ruling him out of the entire State of Origin period.
Shaving two weeks off with the early guilty plea also ensures the 24-year-old will make his comeback in the round-16 return fixture against the Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium in what is sure to be a fiery affair.
The New Zealand international took to Twitter to voice his disappointment at the suspension – and remind everyone of the return clash.
“Very disappointed to be out for a while. Onwards & upwards,” he wrote.
“Very proud of the way the boys lifted on Monday night, I know they’ll continue to play hard while I’m out.
“Looking forward to Manly in Rd16!
“Couldn’t risk getting 7 weeks and miss out on playing manly again!”
Waerea-Hargreaves will miss crucial games against North Queensland, Melbourne and Canterbury, with the Roosters certain to miss his presence in the middle of the field following a hot start to the season.
He will also be unavailable for clashes against Parramatta and the Warriors before returning.
Waerea-Hargreaves found an ally in former Manly teammate Anthony Watmough, who said the decision was unlucky.
“Who knows what’s going to happen?” Watmough said.
“If it’s (Manly pair) Stevie (Matai) or Richie (Fa’aoso) they’re copping the book.
“I don’t know what I can say without getting in trouble or not.
“It’s unlucky that he’s got a five-week suspension.
“(The Roosters will) miss the guy, because he adds a bit of spark to that pack.”
Waerea-Hargreaves was one of six players to accept early pleas, which includes Roosters teammate Jake Friend, who is free to face the Cowboys on Saturday despite copping a grade one careless high tackle charge.
In other judiciary news, South Sydney winger Andrew Everingham will miss two matches after taking the early guilty plea for a grade-two shoulder charge.
Parramatta’s Darcy Lussick will also miss two weeks for fighting, with Brisbane’s Josh McGuire and Penrith’s Mose Masoe escaping suspension with their early pleas.
