The veteran us retiring at the end of the season
11:54, 06 Oct 2025Updated 13:13, 06 Oct 2025
Hull KR’s Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves looks to have played his last-ever game of professional rugby league after being denied the opportunity to go out on a fitting stage with a Grand Final appearance.
The 36-year-old veteran Hull KR prop will bring the curtain down on an incredible career this season, but now looks to have already played his last game after being banned by the RFL disciplinary panel from the Grand Final against Wigan Warriors.
The New Zealand great has been given a Grade C charge following the play-off semi-final victory over St Helens and now misses the showpiece at Old Trafford.
There had been fears Waerea-Hargreaves could get a ban after his tackle on Jon Bennison led to the Saints star leaving the field dazed and subsequently failing his HIA, ruling him out of the rest of the game.
While Waerea-Hargreaves was not penalised for the incident, there was always the risk of a ban after Bennison’s HIA failure ruled him out of the rest of the tie on Saturday night.
Rovers look set to appeal the decision, given there is no risk in trying to overturn the verdict with the player retiring after the game on Saturday night.
Speaking ahead of news of the ban, KR coach Willie Peters explained his hope the veteran wouldn’t be denied the finish he deserves.
He said; “It’s one of those out of my hands. I’d hate to think that he is ruled out of the last game of his career when not even a penalty has been given, but I understand as well the player (Bennison) so let’s see how he is.”