Grand finale back on track: Roosters legend beats high-tackle ban

Former Roosters NRL star Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is free to challenge for one last piece of silverware after overturning a suspension that threatened to ruin his career swansong.

Waerea-Hargreaves will line up for Hull KR in Sunday’s Super League grand final against Wigan after successfully appealing what had initially been a three-week ban for hitting St Helens winger Jon Bennison high last weekend.

The Kiwi legend won three premierships with the Sydney Roosters during his 16 years in the NRL, but was also charged a whopping 38 times and missed a total of 30 games through suspension.

After performing strongly in what will be his only season of Super League, Waerea-Hargreaves had faced an ignominious end to a career as one of rugby league’s last true enforcers.

Waerea-Hargreaves’ previous charges for Hull KR had contributed to his three-week suspension, and meant the 36-year-old had to completely overturn his proposed ban to play one last game against reigning champions Wigan.

Bennison was concussed, but there was no penalty awarded, and the video referee did not take any further action.

The RFL’s independent tribunal upheld Waerea-Hargreaves’ not guilty plea on Tuesday evening (AEDT), allowing the veteran to take the field one last time. He is expected to return to Australia next year with an off-field role at the Roosters.

“You can’t really put a value on what Jared has given us – there’s the big-game experience, but it’s also what he does off the field, including the intensity he brings and standards he sets at training,” Hull KR coach Willie Peters said before Waerea-Hargreaves’ ban was overturned.

“We have a chance to win a third trophy, and we’d love him to be there this weekend because he’s been a huge part of it.”

Hull KR have won the Challenge Cup and League Leaders’ Shield, and look to turn the tables on Wigan, who beat them in last year’s grand final.

Peters was aware of Waerea-Hargreaves’ judiciary record before he signed him, and said last year: “Jared will always go close to that line, but some of the best players in the world have been like that. We can’t wait to have him.”

Peters, who has enjoyed plenty of success with Hull KR, and is viewed as a future NRL head coach – he was one of Newcastle’s initial targets to succeed Adam O’Brien – was looking forward to working with Kevin Walters as an assistant coach with the Kangaroos when they land in England on Wednesday week ahead of the Ashes.