Having joined Hull KR for 2025, after playing 316 games across 16 NRL seasons and winning three premierships at the Roosters, the English club tried to talk the 36-year-old into playing on in to 2025. There had also been reports that the fearsome Kiwi prop could return to the NRL to help the Roosters, who were struggling before taking down the Brisbane Broncos last round. But Waerea-Hargreaves confirmed he would hang up the boots when the Super League season finished. “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, lifelong friends and memories that I’ll cherish forever.” Roosters coach Trent Robinson paid tribute to Rotorua-born Waerea-Hargreaves who 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,” Robinson said. “On behalf of his entire Roosters family, we congratulate Jared on an incredible rugby league career.” He has played nine games for ladder-leading Hull KR and coach Willie Peters wanted him to play on. “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.”