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Jared Waerea-Hargreaves called out for ugly scenes as Jake Trbojevic HIA return deemed 'laughable'

The NRL has been called out for the opening moment of the clash between the Roosters and Manly.

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·5-min read

NRL fans have questioned Jared Waerea-Hargreaves' opening collision with Tolu Koula that kick-started the carnage in the Roosters' victory as fans have deemed Jake Trbojevic returning to the field a poor look for the game. Manly fans could not believe their eyes in the opening minutes of the elimination final against the Roosters with both Koula and Trbojevic leaving the field after horror collisions.

And the opening tackle of the game saw the returning forward Waerea-Hargreaves (JWH) charge into the Manly line to leave Koula concussed. Koula bent down to tackle the rampaging prop, but was left behind when his head collided with Waerea-Hargreaves' forearm.

NRL fans have fumed over Jared Waerea-Hargreaves' (pictured left) latest incident as the look of Jake Trbojevic returning to the field was also deemed a poor look for the game. (Getty Images)
NRL fans have fumed over Jared Waerea-Hargreaves' (pictured left) latest incident as the look of Jake Trbojevic returning to the field was also deemed a poor look for the game. (Getty Images)

Waerea-Hargreaves had only just returned from yet another suspension - having been handed four games for a high-tackle - and it took the first tackle for the departing Roosters prop to be in the drama again. The game stopped immediately as there was concern for Koula.

"I don't think he recovers from this," Greg Alexander said in commentary. And he was right as the Manly back left the field and didn't return.

"Up quick to make the tackle, he just got his head in the wrong position...that can happen off the kick-off," Alexander added. While the commentators didn't make much of the Waerea-Hargreaves incident, considering it was not a penalty, viewers were certainly questioning whether the Roosters forward had collected Koula with an elbow.

This isn't the first time this season Waerea-Hargreaves has charged off a kick-off and left a player concussed. Against the Dragons earlier this year, Waerea-Hargreaves left Moses Suli concussed after charging into the line with the defender's head colliding with the big man.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves looks on.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (pictured) has come under scrutiny for his opening collision of the Sydney Roosters and Manly Sea Eagles clash.

This prompted a debate on whether the NRL kick-off needed to be changed to avoid concussions. This time the debate was around the challenge itself. Plenty of fans were left shocked Waerea-Hargreaves didn't cop scrutiny having accused him of slightly lifting his elbow at the point of contact.

Others agreed with Alexander and felt Koula got his head in the wrong position, which was nothing to do with Waerea-Hargreaves. Either way, no penalty was awarded and Waerea-Hyargreaves was not put on report for the incident, which means he is free to play against the Storm next week.

This wasn't the only carnage in the opening 20 seconds. A tackle later, Trbojevic got his head in the wrong position and appeared concussed on the floor as the Roosters players showed immediate concern for the Manly forward.

Lindsey Collins made a hit up and Trbojevic was thrown backwards after his head collided with Collins' head. Trbojevic was walking on wobbly legs as players helped him to his feet. The Manly captain left the field with commentator Warren Smith already suggesting the 18th man HIA substitution could be activated.

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However, 15 minutes later, fans were left astonished when it was deemed Trbojevic was fine to return to the field having passed his HIA test. This left many gobsmacked with Trbojevic clearly unwell when leaving the field after a sickening collision. And Seven News sports reporter Jelisa Apps claimed it was 'laughable' Trbojevic was able to return for the big game. She wasn't the only one.

Despite the carnage in the opening 20 seconds, the Roosters were unbelievable with James Tedesco saving his best performance in 2024 for the elimination final. And Manly Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold was full of praise for his team's efforts having faced a setback so early.

"It was really tough. Obviously the start was a little bit surreal in some ways, losing Tolu and Jake on the first two tackles of the game," coach Seibold said. "The Roosters were too good for us tonight, that was the reality of it but we fought hard, tried to stay in that contest."