Waerea-Hargreaves' brutal 316-game NRL career came to an end on Friday night, when the Sydney Roosters were beaten 48-18 by Melbourne.
One of the most damaging and consistent front-rowers of the past 15 years, Waerea-Hargreaves is one of the few old-school props still left in the competition.
He grew up in a time before a focus on concussions with the majority of his career played before the crackdown on head contact.
That actually hurt him in recent years with the Roosters prop missing 14 games through suspension since last August.
But speaking publicly for the first time in months ahead of his move to Hull KR in England, Waerea-Hargreaves hopes there is still scope for other front-rowers like him going forward.
"I still think there are plenty of opportunities for guys coming through to play with that hardness and on that edge," Waerea-Hargreaves said.
"Obviously you make mistakes playing on that fine edge. ... But it's how we come back from that.
"I definitely see potential going forward.
"These younger guys, they have such an opportunity to stay true to the old-school style. It's what I still love and fell in love with at a young age of playing the game."
Others aren't so sure.
"No (we won't see another)," five-eighth Luke Keary said.
"Because even now you see how much footy he misses. He misses so many games, it's tough.
"It's super special to see what he does ... People want to pay to watch him play.
"(But) it's not really the way the game is going."
Keary and Waerea-Hargreaves were given a guard of honour by Melbourne and Roosters players after Friday night's game.
Roosters players then spent two hours locked in the sheds together afterwards, as coach Trent Robinson paid homage to his departing group.
Headlined by Waerea-Hargreaves and Keary, the Roosters will also lose Joey Manu and Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii to rugby.
Sitili Tupouniua heads to Canterbury, while Robinson confirmed Michael Jennings and Dylan Napa will not be re-signed.
Combined, the group have played 1279 NRL matches.
But Keary insisted the Roosters were still in a good spot to chase down Melbourne and Penrith and go to the next level in coming years.
"I honestly reckon it will be a blessing in disguise for them," Keary said.
"Those young boys have been here for a few years but they get to take ownership of the team.
"Halves Sandon (Smith) and Sammy (Walker), they are definitely ready to take the baton and move it forward. Our pack is still so young.
"It might be tough at the start, but they get to write their own chapter now in Roosters history.
"That 2013-2016 team got to write a page, and then the 2018-20 team. Now these boys will get to write their own."
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