‘He brings that brutality that we missed’: JWH to bring the fire for the Roosters, but teammates urge him not to cross the line

James Tedesco is excited about the “brutality” that Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will bring this weekend when he returns from suspension, but the Roosters skipper has reminded the veteran enforcer to not step over the line after receiving two lengthy bans late in the season.

Waerea-Hargreaves returns from a three-match ban for a high shot on Sam Verrills having only come back that week from a four-match suspension for a high tackle on Max Feagai that saw him sin-binned on the day he became the club’s most-capped player.

The Roosters desperately missed him against Penrith in Friday’s qualifying final, but he’ll return in what will be his last game in the NRL if they lose to Manly, with Waerea-Hargreaves to finish his career in the Super League.

“I know he felt like he let us down because he wasn’t there with us and he’s leaving after this year,” Tedesco said.

“I know he’s been firing at training and he’s ready to go. He’s testing us out on the other side, and I know he’s going to bring that to us.

“We just need to make sure that he doesn’t step over that line.

“He’s very experienced in that area and we know that if you do cross that line then you’re in the sin bin or (give away) a penalty, and that can change the game.

“He knows that, but he’s still got to be that enforcer that we need. It’s going to be important for us this week.”

It’s almost fitting that Waerea-Hargreaves returns for the game against the club he made his debut for, with the firebrand famously copping a five-match ban in 2013 after he was sent off and charged with making reckless contact on George Rose.

The inspirational prop forward is one of the most feared men in rugby league but needs to channel his aggression to ensure his side doesn’t pay the penalty.

“They’ve just cracked down on anything that comes into contact with the head this year and in previous years,” his skipper said.

“Probably 10 years ago when he started, maybe that wasn’t a penalty or a sin bin or a send-off, but these days you just can’t do it. He knows that, he knows the line and he just needs to teeter below it.”

At 35, Waerea-Hargreaves is still one of the Roosters’ most important players and you could tell how much they missed their forward leader on Friday, with none of their starting big men running for 100m against Penrith.

Lindsay Collins was held to just 45m from six carries, while Terrell May and Spencer Leniu were well contained when they came on.

“He brings that brutality that we definitely missed on the weekend against Penrith,” Tedesco said ahead of what should be a bruising battle with Taniela Paseka, Nathan Brown and Matt Lodge.

“They came out and had more intent and intensity with the way they were carrying and defending, and Jared not only brings that himself, but he also brings that out of the forward pack around him.

“I know he’s hurting from watching us on the weekend and he’ll bring that for us, and we’re going to need that.”