Prop determined to step up at test level
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is not shying away from his poor record in the Kiwis jersey as he battles to retain his place for the Four Nations opener against England on Sunday (NZ time).
The Roosters prop returned to the national team this month for the first time in three years with a reputation of failing to replicate his strong club form at test level.
Unfortunately, that was only confirmed as the Kiwis fell to a 26-6 defeat to the Kangaroos in Perth.
Having recovered from a serious knee injury, the 27-year-old demanded selection with a series of strong performances during the second half of the NRL season, but his poor display was one of the more disappointing aspects of the result.
The 18-test forward was restricted to just four hit-ups and was lucky not be placed on report when he compounded a handling error with a swinging arm on Johnathan Thurston.
Waerea-Hargreaves was part of a well-beaten forward pack so it is perhaps unfair to single him out, while he was also one of several players to go into the match cold having missed out on the finals.
He has all the physical attributes to dominate at any level and is certainly not lacking in the aggression department.
But talking from the Kiwis’ base in Leeds, Waerea-Hargreaves says it is the mental side of the game which may have been holding him back.
‘‘To be honest with you, I haven’t had too much success in the Kiwis jersey so for me it’s coming away with the right attitude and a mentality of being successful in this jersey,’’ Waerea- Hargreaves said.
‘‘Being out for the three years has made me realise how much the jersey actually means to me.
‘‘I’ve always found the Kiwis to be the highest level and definitely the pinnacle for myself and family. I’m a proud Kiwi and looking forward to representing the jersey and the country a fair few more times.’’
New Zealand coach David Kidwell names his team tomorrow and there is no doubt the pressure will be on Waerea-Hargreaves to step up should he be selected.
But he is not the only one. The much-vaunted Kiwis forwards failed to live up to the hype against Australia and they face another stern examination against an English pack led by the Burgess brothers, Sam, George and Thomas, and Bulldogs captain James Graham.
But Waerea-Hargreaves says all their attention has been on what they need to improve, rather than who is lining up in the opposition.
‘‘In the middle of all these games it’s going to be quite physical and it will start on Saturday night,’’ he added.
With Australia the clear favourites, the result is likely to be crucial for both teams’ chances of reaching the final. And that’s exactly the mentality the Kiwis are taking into the contest.
‘‘We’re definitely approaching this game as a must-win and we will be next week and also the week after that.’’