Rugby League: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves named Kiwis Player of Year

  • 13/12/2018

Sydney Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has taken out Kiwis Player of the Year at the annual NZ Rugby League Awards.

The veteran front rower, who spent several years out of favour after the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, was a key contributor, as the national team rebuilt under new coach Michael Maguire this year.

After helping Sydney Roosters to the NRL title, Waerea-Hargreaves starred for the Kiwis in their 26-24 win over Australia at Mt Smart Stadium and again on the three-test tour of England, running more than 130 metres in each outing.

One of the knocks on Waerea-Hargreaves, 29, previously has been a lack of discipline that saw him concede costly penalties, but his leadership was a telling factor in the development of the team during the end-of-year campaign.

"As a senior player within the Kiwis camp, Jared put a lot of time into discussing the growth of the Kiwi team," says Maguire.

"He has immense passion towards where he wants to see the black-and-white jersey, and this is a real quality of his.

"Off the back of his brilliant season in clubland, he was in good position to play his best footy for the Kiwis and that's exactly what he did. His experience has been invaluable in mentoring younger players to step up into international rugby league."

Missing from the finalists was NZ Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who became just the third Kiwi player to win the NRL's Dally M Medal, but did not front for the national side this year.

Co-captain Honey Hireme was named Kiwi Ferns Player of the Year, after starring for St George Illawarra Dragons in the inaugural NRL women's competition.

NZ Warriors wing Ken Maumalo won Kiwis Rookie of the Year honours, while fellow international debutant Isaiah Papali'i took out Junior Player of the Year for the second consecutive time.

Newshub.