Sydney Roosters legend Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will retire at the end of the Super League season, closing the door on any chance of an NRL comeback.
The fearsome prop forward played 316 games across 16 NRL seasons, winning three premierships at the Roosters before joining English side Hull KR for 2025.
Previous reports had floated the possibility of an NRL return to the struggling 15th-placed Roosters but the 36-year-old will instead finish the year in England and then hang up the boots
"As I reflect on my journey and 18 seasons in rugby league, I have so much gratitude for the game itself," Waerea-Hargreaves said in a statement.
"Rugby league has given me the honour of representing my country, life-long friends and memories that I'll cherish forever."
The Roosters paid tribute to Waerea-Hargreaves, who became a cornerstone of the club's forward rotation on arrival from Manly in 2010.
He left at the end of last season as the foundation club's most-capped player with 310 appearances.
"As one of the most respected front-rowers of his generation, Jared completed his NRL career as a Sydney Roosters legend, and his impact on and off the field ensures a lasting legacy across the game of rugby league," said Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
"On behalf of his entire Roosters family, we congratulate Jared on an incredible rugby league career."
Rotorua-born Waerea-Hargreaves featured six times for the Sea Eagles in his rookie 2009 season before joining the Roosters and playing in a grand final loss in his first season.
He became prized for his on-field physicality and aggression, attributes he maintained right to the end of his NRL career even as he lined up against much younger players.
He won the 2013, 2018 and 2019 premierships at the Roosters under Robinson, starting in the front row in all three victories.
In contrast to his fiery on-field persona, Waerea-Hargreaves was a softly-spoken, thoughtful character off the park, who came to relish his role as a leader in the Roosters' forward pack.
He made 33 appearances for New Zealand, the last of those at the World Cup in 2022.
He has played nine games for ladder-leading Hull KR between the Super League and Challenge Cup competitions.
The club had been open to having him on the books next season.
"When we spoke about 2026, Jared said he'd made his decision and he said by the end of the season it would be time," said coach Willie Peters.
"Jared deserves to retire on his terms. He certainly needs to go out on top of his game and he's doing that at the moment."
