‘True warrior’: Tedesco pays tribute to departing JWH, describes him as the benchmark for all forwards

Roosters skipper James Tedesco has declared champion forward Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has “set the benchmark” for front-rowers and that “it won’t be the same” when the three-time premiership winner leaves the club at the end of the year.

Waerea-Hargreaves announced on Tuesday that the 2024 season would be his 15th and final one with the club that he moved to in 2010 after he played six games with Manly.

He quickly developed into one of the most feared front-rowers in the game and has maintained that reputation over the years, even if his aggression has sometimes taken him over the edge.

The 35-year-old was with teammates at Sydney Airport on Wednesday morning preparing to fly out to Las Vegas, although he’ll miss the historic game against the Broncos next week due to suspension.

“It won’t be the same at the Roosters without Jared here,” Tedesco said before flying out.

“I’ve loved every moment with him on and off the field. He’s one of the best guys you can meet, and a true warrior on the field.

“Whenever I run out with him, I feel safe and confident.

“We’re going to miss him in this game in Vegas, but he’s had a really great pre-season, he’s looking fit and he’s going to give it everything he can for his last year.”

The Kiwis enforcer will bring up 300 NRL appearances against the Rabbitohs in round three, with Waerea-Hargreaves 15 games away from passing club legend Mitch Aubusson for most games as a Rooster.

It’s an incredible achievement for a man who has dished out some huge hits and been on the receiving end of plenty of them as well, with Waerea-Hargreaves likely to finish his career in the Super League.

“There are so many great Roosters who have played close to 300 games or over 300 games at the one club, but Jared is right up there,” Tedesco said.

“The culture he’s brought to the club with how we’ve played the game at the Roosters – powerfully, direct – he was definitely the start of that and he’s carried that for 15 years.

“It’s hard to put into words (what he’s done for me as a captain). He sort of told me (he was going to retire) the day before he told the boys yesterday.

“I’ve just got so much respect for him. He’s been massive for me as a leader. He’s been here for 15 years and he’s been in the leadership group with me and he backs me whatever I say or think.

“To have that from a guy like Jared and how well he’s respected – not just at the Roosters but around every team in the game – it builds confidence for me.

“You could be on a flight with him to LA for 12 hours and he wouldn’t stop talking the whole time. He’s a genuine, down to earth guy who means so well.

“You guys see the warrior he is, but off the field you won’t meet a nicer guy.”

The constant desire to speed up the NRL has seen some middle forwards struggle to keep up, but Waerea-Hargreaves has found ways to evolve his game, with the veteran arguably the best player on the field in the 2019 Grand Final.

Having set the standard for so long, it’s now up to the next generation of Roosters forwards to follow his lead, with Lindsay Collins and Spencer Leniu set to carry the team forward into the future.

“You don’t see many front-rowers in the game like him who have done it for nearly 300 games,” his captain said.

“The way he plays the game is pretty rare. I’m sure others will come through, but he’s definitely the benchmark for a front-rower.”

Meanwhile, injured winger Dom Young was also on the plane to Vegas but won’t play after he suffered a neck injury that saw him taken on a stretcher to hospital following an ugly crusher tackle by Manly’s Toff Sipley.