Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson hopes Jared Waerea-Hargreaves’ season-ending ban will serve as a watershed moment for the hulking enforcer.
Waerea-Hargreaves was slapped with a monster seven-game ban for two separate offences during the fiery round 26 loss to the Tigers.
The suspension will see the veteran prop sit out the Roosters’ finals push, should they sneak into the top eight, and has the potential to dent the start of his 2024 campaign.
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With five charges to his name this season and the untimely suspension ahead of the Tricolours’ must-win match against South Sydney on Friday night, Robinson was far from impressed that Waerea-Hargreaves had rubbed himself out.
“I am [angry]. I think it’s only natural to be that way,” Robinson told media on Thursday.
“That doesn’t change the way that I think about him or the care that I have for him. But of course, you’re angry because you represent the club and we’re all fighting for something. And for him not to be there to be a part of that is disappointing.
“It’s a disappointing way for him to finish the season. The impact on our club hasn’t been great.”
Known as one of the most aggressive players in the game, Robinson was most disappointed with the avoidable nature of Waerea-Hargreaves’ sin-binning in the 65th minute when his side was well in control against this season’s wooden spooners.
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“It’s seven weeks, so you’d like to think [it will be a turning point],” he said.
“That was unnecessary. Last weekend, it didn’t need to happen in the context of the game.
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“His intimidation is an important part of the game, and people enjoy watching that, but that didn’t feel like it was one of those moments. Seven weeks is a quarter of a season. It’s a long time.
“We’ve had our space at the beginning of the week and we’ve had some small chats, but we haven’t had our time yet.”
In Waerea-Hargreaves’ absence, Lindsay Collins will need to step up to the challenge, but it will be a tough ask with the hole left by his towering front-row partner.
Centre Joseph Manu will also sit out the grudge match after he was withdrawn from the team with a hamstring injury on Thursday.