Hull KR have confirmed the major coup of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves with the Kiwi prop set to join the club in 2025.
It’s another major statement of intent from Hull KR who are flying high in the Willie Peters era after placing fourth in Super League last season and making the Challenge Cup Final.
Ultimately silverware eclipsed the Robins but it’s been made clear that lifting a trophy is the intention this year and in years to come.
That makes the signing of the NRL veteran Waerea-Hargreaves such a massive move because, despite the fact he will be 36 when he debuts in Super League, he’s still a major star of the sport.
It also could open the door for East Hull to become a place of real pulling power for NRL talent, something that’s already been proven under Willie Peters with the signing of Peta Hiku.
Waerea-Hargreaves will surpass the 300-game mark in the NRL this season which will make him just the 50th man to do so thus cementing his legendary status.
He started his career with Manly but has played for the Roosters since 2010, making 292 appearances but he could become the outright most-capped Rooster with just 14 appearances in 2024.
Hull KR confirm deal for NRL forward
The news of Waraea-Hargreaves penning his deal with Hull KR started circulating yesterday following the player confirming to the Sydney Morning Herald that he intended to call time on his NRL career.
However, he wasn’t hanging up the boots and instead, it was reported that he was linked with the Robins and now just over 24 hours later the club have confirmed the deal.
Hull KR signing the Sydney Roosters powerhouse was confirmed live on Sky Sports’ Rugby League Verdict with England coach Shaun Wane also making an appearance.
He confirmed that he will sign a one-year deal with Hull KR and that he’ll bring plenty of passion to the club, something that has been drilled into him he claimed.
Hull KR also confirmed the news with a statement released via their website.
It read: “Hull KR are excited to announce the club has signed three-time NRL Premiership winner, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves on a one-year deal for the 2025 Betfred Super League season.
“Having captured ten major honours in his illustrious 16-year NRL career, ‘JWH’ will head over to East Hull at the end of the current season and link up with Willie Peters’ men for 2025.”
Speaking on the move, Waerea-Hargreaves said: ‘It’s exciting. I’ve had a good couple of chats with Willie. He’s a great man and I’m really looking forward to playing for Hull KR and him in 2025.
“The team has been building for a number of years. They were successful last year but fell short in the Cup Final. We’ve got a really strong squad this season and from the win over Hull you can see their training really hard.
“For myself, my wife and the kids, we’re looking forward to coming over as a family, knuckling down and enjoying the North of England. I’ve played a number of years in the UK with New Zealand, coming away internationally. I’ve loved England, I love how passionate the people are.
“I love the working class city of Hull, it’s been on my radar for a couple of years. Now it’s official, it’s very exciting.”
Capped 33 times for New Zealand and having played 298 NRL games Waerea-Hargreaves is a stalwart of the game and will bring a big presence to Hull KR’s pack that already features former NRL man Jesse Sue.
His signing could be likened to that of Paul Vaughan at Warrington Wolves which paid off massively as Vaughan earned Dream Team honours during his maiden Super League campaign.
Waerea-Hargreaves is set to take part in the NRL’s launch in Las Vegas with Sydney Roosters facing Brisbane Broncos, a game that England international Dom Young won’t feature in having picked up an injury in the pre-season trial.
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