NRL hard-man expecting a tough encounter on home turf
Kiwis’ enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is known for his on field aggression and that’s not set to change when the NRL Harvey Norman All Stars: Māori v Indigenous clash in Rotorua.
The 33-year-old, tips the scales at 116kg and towers over most of his opposition at 193cm. It’s an intimidating sight to behold when he plays, but get him talking about his three children; Zahli (7), Harper (4) and Hudson (11 months) he becomes an entirely different person. A proud dad, who acknowledges his Māori culture.
“My kids mean the world to me. I love being a dad. I think it’s important that they know who they are and that they are proud of their culture. Every time my mum comes to visit, she pulls out the guitar and sings waiata to them.”
Waerea-Hargreaves has played 280 NRL games, 33 games for New Zealand and two NRL All Star games and says it’s a great honour to get to wear the Māori jersey in an All Stars clash.
“It’s right up there for me, there is a lot of pride on the line every time you step on the field, especially when it’s in front of a home crowd. It’s not often I get that opportunity especially in Rotorua where I grew up. I made my Kiwis’ debut on that field so it makes if even more special for me.”
The NRL Indigenous Games fixture is being held at the Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday 11 February and it is the first time it will be held outside of Australia.
“It’s fitting that it’s being held here and a great opportunity for not only the players to shine on the field but for league fans to go and watch some exciting rugby league.”
Image credit: Māori All Stars perform haka at Indigenous All Stars, 2022. Courtesy NRL
Despite playing at the highest level for more than a decade, Waerea-Hargreaves has no plans on changing the style of game which has earned him the “enforcer tag” and he is promising a bruising encounter.
“Both sides will be looking to dominate early, so you can expect some big clashes, which suits me, I like being competitive. I never play or do anything to lose, I always try and go as hard as I can,” Waerea-Hargreaves says.
Another Rotorua lad who will get to wear the Māori jersey is Hayze Perham. The 23-year-old made his debut for the Warriors in 2019, before spending two seasons with the Eels.
It’s been reported Perham, will make his debut for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at fullback after impressing coaching staff at the club.
Prior to the kick-off of the men’s game between the Aotearoa New Zealand Māori versus Australian Indigenous All Stars, fans will be treated to a mixed touch game between the Māori All Stars and Australian Indigenous All Stars as well as a league clash between the New Zealand Māori Women and the Australian Indigenous Women’s All Stars.
Gates open at 1.15pm and the Indigenous women’s game kicks-off at 3.30pm, followed by the men’s game getting underway at 5.45pm. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster click here.
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Full teams list:
Māori All Stars (Men)
Jesse Arthars
Daejarn Asi
Nelson Asofa-Solomona
Zach Dockar-Clay
James Fisher-Harris
Corey Harawira-Naera
Morgan Harper
Royce Hunt
Joseph Manu
Zane Musgrove
Briton Nikora
Hayze Perham
Adam Pompey
Jordan Rapana
Jordan Riki
Joseph Tapine
Starford Toa
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
Dylan Walker
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Coach: Ben Gardiner
Indigenous All Stars (Men)
Joshua Addo-Carr
Bailey Butler
Selwyn Cobbo
Tyrell Fuimaono
J’maine Hopgood
Nicholas Hynes
Ryan James
Joshua Kerr
Ezra Mam
Latrell Mitchell
Shaquai Mitchell
Kierran Moseley
Brent Naden
Tyrone Peachey
Tyrell Sloan
Chris Smith
Will Smith
Jamayne Taunoa-Brown
Cody Walker
Jack Wighton
Coach: Ronald Griffiths
Māori All Stars (Women)
Brooke Anderson
Destiny Brill
Gayle Broughton
Harata Butler
Kahu Cassidy
Kennedy Cherrington
Laikha Clarke
Zali Fay
Mya Hill-Moana
Olivia Kernick
Shannon Mato
Capri Paekau
Aaliyah Paki
Shanice Parker
Ashleigh Quinlan
Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
Jasmin Strange
Zahara Temara
Kailey Thompson
Amy Turner
Coach: Keith Hanley
Indigenous All Stars (Women)
Essay Banu
Shaylee Bent
Jaime Chapman
Bree Chester
Kirra Dibb
Quincy Dodd
Taliah Fuimaono
Tallisha Harden
Caitlan Johnston
Keilee Joseph
Bobbi Law
Mia Middleton
Sareka Mooka
Jasmine Peters
Kaitlyn Phillips
Shaniah Power
Jada Taylor
Tahlulah Tillett
Coach: Ben Jeffries
Māori All Stars (Touch Football)
Tiwi Davies
Chylo Flavell
Eifion Jones
Kingston Lamberg
Mererangi Paul
Te Ao Mihi Paul
Deena Ranginui Puketapu
Takoha Ropati
Marama Thomas
Shan Tomuri
Sharni Vilila
Raiki Willison
Coaches: Mita Graham, Te Aroha Paki, Hika Pene
Indigenous All Stars (Touch Football)
Jaymon Bob
Jardel Bob
Kristian Congoo
Mackenzie Davis
Shameus Edwards
Taimana Elers
Rhani Hagan
Andi Law
Rebecca Mi Mi
Jarrad Rotumah
Keely Silva
Floyd Tighe
Coaches: Karley Banks, Melissa Mitchell
