Ban unlikely to cost JWH spot in Kiwis' World Cup squad

New Zealand coach Michael Maguire is set to stick by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, despite the prop facing a three-match ban that may sideline him until the knock-out stages of the World Cup.

The Kiwis travel to England on September 30 and Maguire will be hoping a warm-up clash with Leeds on October 8 can be included in Waerea-Hargreaves' suspension so he is available for the final pool match against Ireland.

If the Leeds clash does not count towards the ban, the Roosters veteran would be unavailable until New Zealand’s quarter-final, which is likely to be against Fiji in Hull on November 5.

Captain Jesse Bromwich, his Storm team-mate Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Raiders prop Joseph Tapine and Penrith’s James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota are expected to be among the other middle forwards chosen, so Maguire has depth at his disposal.

The likes of Isaiah Papali;i, Marata Niukore (both Eels), Kenny Bromwich, Brandon Smith (both Storm), Erin Clarke (Titans), Braden Hamlin-Uele, Briton Nikora (both Sharks), Corey Harawira-Naera (Raiders), Griffin Neame (Cowboys) and Jordan Riki (Broncos) are also in contention for forward spots.

However, Waerea-Hargreaves is a valuable member of the Kiwis squad and Maguire considers him to be a leader on and off the field, as does Sydney Roosters mentor Trent Robinson.

He has played 32 Tests for New Zealand since 2009 and was a member of the 2013 and 2017 World Cup squads.

Waerea-Hargreaves had played every Test since Maguire took charge of the Kiwis in 2018 until forced to missed June's mid-season Test against Mata Ma'a Tonga due to a hamstring injury.

While Maguire would want all of his squad to feature in the pool matches against Jamaica, Lebanon and Ireland, he knows that Waerea-Hargreaves is passionate about the Kiwis jersey and will do everything to be ready to play when required.

The 32-year-old demonstrated his ability to make an immediate impact after an extended time on the sidelines when he made his comeback in round 19 against Newcastle following seven weeks out due to the hamstring injury

The Roosters won seven consecutive matches with their forward leader back in the team before being losing Sunday's elimination final against South Sydney, in which Waerea-Hargreaves was one of a record seven players sin-binned.

He was charged with grade two dangerous contact for a head slam on Rabbitohs and England prop Tom Burgess and faces a three match suspension with an early guilty plea or a four match ban if he unsuccessfully challenges the charge.

Burgess also faces a two-to-three match suspension for a high tackle on Roosters captain James Tedesco, who is expected to be named Australia's captain at the World Cup.

The Souths prop needs his team-mates to make the grand final if he is to play another NRL match this season.

Should the Rabbitohs lose to Cronulla on Saturday night England coach Shaun Wane is likely to seek to have the host nation's October 8 warm-up clash with Fiji included in Burgess's ban so he is free for the World Cup opener against Samoa.