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October 12, 2025
Kiwi Legend Waerea‑Hargreaves Announces Retirement After Storied Career
Matthew Tukaki
Posted On October 12, 2025
Jared Waerea‑Hargreaves, one of New Zealand’s most durable rugby league forwards, has confirmed he will retire at the end of the 2025 Super League season – drawing the curtain on an 18‑season professional career that has spanned the NRL, international tests for the Kiwis, and a final stint with Hull Kingston Rovers.
Born in Rotorua, Waerea‑Hargreaves burst onto the professional scene in 2009 with the Manly Sea Eagles, before becoming a cornerstone for the Sydney Roosters from 2010.
Over his time at the Roosters, he played a club‑record 310 games, won three NRL premierships (2013, 2018, 2019), along with four minor premierships and three World Club Challenge titles.
His international career included 33 appearances for the Kiwis, including world cups and test matches, his last test being at the 2022 World Cup.
In 2025, he joined Hull Kingston Rovers, where he intends to finish his playing days.
Waerea‑Hargreaves said in a statement: “As I reflect on my journey and 18 seasons in Rugby League, I have so much gratitude for the game itself. Rugby league has given me the honour of representing my country, life‑long friends and memories that I’ll cherish forever.”
He paid tribute to his former clubs: his start at Manly, the transformative years at the Roosters, his current chapter at Hull KR – and, crucially, acknowledged the support of family, coaches, teammates and fans.
Club coaches acknowledged his impact on culture, leadership on and off the field, and the example he set for younger players. Hull KR coach Willie Peters called him “a family man, a leader of men and a genuinely good person,” and said Jared played a big role in shaping club standards.
What His Retirement Means
For the Game
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End of an Era: Waerea‑Hargreaves has been one of the few constants across recent rugby league seasons. His physicality, aggression, and work rate in the front row made him a feared opponent. His departure leaves a void in the forward pack – not just in one team, but in the culture of toughness he embodied.
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Legacy for Young Forwards: He leaves behind a template: professionalism, durability, and loyalty. Young Māori and Polynesian players will look up to his journey – from Rotorua roots to international arenas – as evidence that staying committed and grounded can lead to excellence.
For Māori & New Zealand
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Representation & Mana: Jared has been a visible Māori figure in a sport where Māori and Pasifika contribution is central but often under‑resourced. His career has helped reinforce that with talent, discipline, and identity, Māori players can reach the highest levels.
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Leadership Beyond the Field: His leadership was never just about what he did in tackles and carries; it was also about character, mentoring younger players, and carrying his culture with him. Māori communities and fans see in him someone who has given back, maintained whakapapa, and carried mana for both himself and his people.
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