Sydney Roosters urged to ‘buy out’ Jared Waerea-Hargreaves following NRL horror start

[josie andrews]

NRL veteran Jared Waerea-Hargreaves signed a 12-month deal with Hull KR ahead of the 2025 Super League season.

A leading rugby league journalist has suggested that Sydney Roosters should ‘buy out’ Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ contract at Hull KR following their horror start to the new NRL season. Trent Robinson’s side were hammered 50-14 by Brisbane Broncos, with questions already raised over their off-season recruitment.

The Roosters suffered pre-season challenge defeats to Newcastle Knights and St George Illawarra Dragons, and conceded nine-tries to Brisbane Broncos to open their new campaign.

They lost stars Joey Manu, Luke Keary, Joseph Suaalii, Terrell May, Sitili Tupouniua and Waerea-Hargreaves at the end of last season, while they are also currently without Sam Walker and Brandon Smith due to respective injuries. They only added experienced half-back Chad Townsend to their squad for 2025, while Mark Nawaqanitawase completed a cross-code switch during 2024.

And the disastrous start has already sparked debate down under surrounding Roosters' recruitment, with veteran NRL reporter Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield sharing a left-field solution for the club to re-sign New Zealand international Waerea-Hargreaves.

The 36-year-old joined Hull KR ahead of the 2025 Super League season on a 12-month deal, with Willie Peters’ side recording their best start to a top-flight season in 40 years with four wins on the bounce.

Sydney Roosters reportedly have cap space available, with Rothfield telling The Big Sports Breakfast show: “You know what I’ve suggested, I reckon they should bring Jared Waerea-Hargreaves back, they should buy out his contract at Hull. He’s going enormous over there.

“That footy team, that young side lack any sort of authority on the football field and that’s even with a Kangaroos prop in Lindsay Collins there.

“They’ve got to do something drastic to quickly fix that.”

Rothfield went one step further to state that a return hasn’t been ruled out by his contacts at Sydney Roosters.

“What I’m saying about Hargreaves is, he’s a culture player. I spoke to a couple of Roosters people over the weekend and they didn’t totally rule it out,” he added.

However, any move would seem highly unlikely, with Waerea-Hargreaves quickly settling into his new surroundings in England with his family, while Hull KR would have no intentions to let their star signing go.

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[doc]

The arrogance of the Aussies never fails to amaze me.

HKR will fight tooth and nail to keep him as they have no chance of recruiting a similar quality player and it would severely impact their season.

Also, if I was JW-H I would tell them to do one after not renewing my contract because they thought I was past it.

[moto748]

Too right! I watched the Roosters being beaten the other night, and the commentary was all about, oh well, the Roosters aren't buying their way out of trouble, they're putting their faith in these youngsters. Or maybe not.

[fozzie58]

In fairness the big lad looks like hes having a good time with KR but if they want him moneys ever talks and id presume he would go back but as ever who knows.

[medlocke]

The arrogance of the Aussies never fails to amaze me.

HKR will fight tooth and nail to keep him as they have no chance of recruiting a similar quality player and it would severely impact their season.

Also, if I was JW-H I would tell them to do one after not renewing my contract because they thought I was past it.

If they come knocking KR should ask for a huge transfer fee and also one of their props or no deal, arrogant bar stewards

[thegimble]

The arrogance of the Aussies never fails to amaze me.

HKR will fight tooth and nail to keep him as they have no chance of recruiting a similar quality player and it would severely impact their season.

Also, if I was JW-H I would tell them to do one after not renewing my contract because they thought I was past it.

If they come knocking KR should ask for a huge transfer fee and also one of their props or no deal, arrogant bar stewards

This is more to do of how well Super League got over in Vegas. NRL press will now do the usual shit stirring.

No chance he goes back he was not a top prop last season

[Firestarter]

The roosters, like parramatta, have always tried to buy themselves success.Very much the opposite of more successful teams like melbourne and penrith