NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • Deloitte Fast 50
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Sport / League / NRL

NRL: Waerea-Hargreaves leads charge for Roosters

Chris Rattue
By Chris Rattue
Sports Writer·NZ Herald·
24 Aug, 2013 01:23 AM5 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves of the Roosters is tackled. Photo / Getty Images

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves of the Roosters is tackled. Photo / Getty Images

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

The Sydney Roosters are setting a hot pace in the NRL and at the heart of their charge is the barnstorming Kiwi prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.

The 24-year-old is a classic, modern, transtasman footy story - born in Rotorua, raised on both sides of the Ditch, an All Black-loving junior Aussie rugby representative, and Kiwi to the core in league.

Fiery on the field, and friendly off it, Waerea-Hargreaves was a rare Roosters bright spot in 2012, when he was named both player and clubman of the year. The Roosters have been in scintillating form in 2013. After returning in early July after a five-match suspension for a high tackle against Manly, Waerea-Hargreaves has continued his fine form, even if his frame has appeared noticeably larger. He chats to the Weekend Herald.

What's the secret of your success this year?

A good off-season. I haven't had one since my juniors in Manly ... it really laid a platform for my strength, I learned a few combos with the boys and got the skill level to where it is at the moment. Usually we've got [Kiwis] tours and Four Nations and not having that really helped me out.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

You have reappeared a little fuller of figure, shall we say ...

I call it my winter coat. I was 114kg when I was suspended this year and the coaches made me do a mini-pre-season while I was off. I put on a few kilos - a bit of muscle and bit of eating. I enjoy my buffet meals ... I do need to lose a couple of kilos.

It must be fun going to work at the moment, with the Roosters playing so well and the form you are in.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

There is a buzz around the place. My partner is always asking why I'm going to training two hours early. But it's great just to be around the place - there has been a great vibe all year.

Your teammate and Kiwi prospect Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been wowing us with his footwork ...

I've never seen anyone with footwork like that. It's a joy to watch. He's a very humble kid, very intelligent, and the best thing is he is always keen to learn. He's a sponge for knowledge, even from a frontrower. He's always asking questions.

Did you have a boyhood hero?

Discover more

NRL

NRL: Tigers reject calls to drop Benji

20 Aug 09:36 PM
NRL

NRL: Kevin could be Locked out

22 Aug 05:30 AM
Warriors

NRL: Taylor grows up at Warriors

23 Aug 05:05 AM
Warriors

NRL: Taylor a big loss as Warriors struggle

24 Aug 01:22 AM

Heaps. I loved the way Gorden Tallis played, Petero Civoniceva ... Matt Scott, who is definitely the pinnacle of a frontrower now.

Has the frontrower's job changed in your time in the NRL?

I guess the props have more of a role now instead of just playing the big bash up. Most can pass and offload - it is important for frontrowers to be able to tip on, as we like to say. When I started out it was all about getting hold of the ball and running as hard as you could.

Is there one thing in rugby league you would like to change?

I'm not a fan of the judicial loading system. I probably haven't had the best run suspension-wise but I'm not the only player who thinks that way. You might get graded an extra 50 per cent on top because of something you did two years ago. We talk about it all the time ... it would be good if it was pushed out of the game.

What about that fiery reputation - what was Roosters coach Trent Robinson's attitude after the suspension this year?

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

It's a case of tweaking the [tackling] technique. I had a few words with Robbo and he doesn't want me to change my game. I have changed to a degree over the years - my approach now is all about doing my job for the team. I'm aware of the reputation, I get it all the time. But I am passionate and I'm not a big fan of losing.

Changing rooms can look like casualty wards - players soldier on with all sorts of injuries ...

We play with sore shoulders, AC joints ... most players these days aren't 100 per cent fit. They are always carrying sternum and rib cartilage injuries. It doesn't get spoken about much. There are some tough buggers around.

Other interests?

I'm an ambassador for the deaf and blind charities we've got at the club and I really enjoy going to see the kids. I love giving those kids a bit of time and putting a smile on their faces. It's a privilege.

You made it clear how much the Kiwi jersey meant to you when dropped ...

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

I bleed black. It was always a dream of mine to wear the black jumper. I'm still really passionate about it and just talking about it now gives me goose bumps.

How do you feel about a player like James Tamou - New Zealand raised, a member of the Kiwi camp who then pulled on the Kangaroos jersey?

He talks like one of the boys when we have conversations - we call it talking hori. A few of the boys were a bit disappointed when he made the call but at the end of the day that was his decision.

New Zealand's overall record against Australia is not good yet the Kiwis have won the big finals in recent years. Are you confident the Kiwis will retain the World Cup this year?

We're never really good at the one-off tests. Every year I've been involved, we talk up the Anzac game but don't come through with the goods. The more time we spend together, the more bonding, the more the real culture comes out in the team. In the past we've stepped up for the big games. I'd like to think we are confident - everyone needs to do his job and each individual has a massive part to play in retaining that cup.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from NRL

Warriors

'Keeping my future open': Warriors star confirms Saudi interest

NRL

Newcastle Knights star reportedly considering shock switch to rugby union

Sport

New Warriors halfback Tanah Boyd makes a splash

Watch

Sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from NRL

'Keeping my future open': Warriors star confirms Saudi interest
Warriors

'Keeping my future open': Warriors star confirms Saudi interest

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck says staying at Mt Smart beyond 2026 is an option too.

17 Jul 04:42 AM
Newcastle Knights star reportedly considering shock switch to rugby union
NRL

Newcastle Knights star reportedly considering shock switch to rugby union

14 Jul 06:15 PM
New Warriors halfback Tanah Boyd makes a splash
Sport

New Warriors halfback Tanah Boyd makes a splash

Watch
14 Jul 05:00 AM


Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
Sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

06 Jul 09:47 PM
NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP