'Last of a dying breed': Former Roosters enforcer's tribute to JWH

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves plays the game the way Adrian Morley likes it, and in many ways reminds the former Roosters hard man of himself on the rugby league field.

Much like Waerea-Hargreaves, Morley pushed the boundaries with his aggressive style during his playing career and says it’s been a pleasure to watch the Kiwi in action across his 299-game NRL career to date. 

The English great also believes 'JWH' is the last of a disappearing breed of player, with rules changes in recent years – aimed at increasing player safety – meaning his style won’t be sustainable going forward and certainly won’t lend itself to the type of longevity Waerea-Hargreaves has enjoyed. 

“I don’t think you’ll see the likes of Jared probably ever again,” Morley told NRL.com ahead of Waerea-Hargreaves' 300th NRL appearance on Friday night against the Rabbitohs.

“It’s what makes some players who they are, going up to the line and sometimes over the line, and Jared fits into that category.

He plays the way I think the sport should be played. He’s probably the last of a dying breed.

Adrian Morley

“It’s absolutely incredible to play 300 games at all, but particularly to do it in the front row in the NRL: it’s a fantastic achievement.

“He should be very, very proud.”

In similar fashion to when Morley arrived in Bondi from Leeds a decade earlier, Waerea-Hargreaves brought a unique edge to the Roosters upon joining them from the Sea Eagles in 2010 and quickly became one of their most important players. 

Involvement in three premiership-winning Tricolours teams followed for the Rotorua-born big man, in addition to racking up 33 appearances for the Kiwis in the Test arena along the way. 

Roosters head coach Trent Robinson, who was an assistant at the club when Waerea-Hargreaves first arrived before taking on the top job in 2013, said it’s been a pleasure to coach him over the past 15 years. 

“It’s probably rare to see someone hold onto that fire for as long as what he has held onto it," Robinson said. 

“It’s probably only him, Paul Gallen, those guys who have played 300 games, where they are just brutal from start to finish.

“He knows where he lives, he’s actually really comfortable in the way that he plays… he doesn’t have to explain himself very often.

“He’s really content with who he is off the field and his development as a person and he’s really clear on what role he plays in our team, and he’s done that for 15 seasons.”

Meanwhile Morley, who will be watching on from Greater Manchester as Waerea-Hargreaves brings up his triple century, said he’s looking forward to welcoming the prop to the Super League later this year when he links up with Hull KR on a one-year-deal.

“He will be great for the competition and people over here will certainly enjoy the way he plays the game; he will be a big hit,” Morley said.  

“The British fans love to see someone playing with physicality and love someone who has a go.

"He’s got all that in abundance.”