The numbers show Jared Waerea-Hargreaves won't rest without front-row starting partner Dylan Napa, but the Sydney Roosters hard man insists it's not a one-man job to uphold a perfect record without the Queenslander this year.
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The Roosters will play without Napa for a third straight game in Saturday night's grand-final qualifier against South Sydney, after he was suspended last month for the knock out blow on Brisbane's Andrew McCullough.
Having battled injuries both during and after Queensland's State of Origin campaign before the latest suspension, Napa has missed six games this year - of which the Roosters have won all six.
And he largely has Waerea-Hargreaves to thank for it up front.
The Kiwi prop's top three running games this year have all come while Napa has been missing for either all or the majority of those games, including his herculean 215-metre effort against Penrith in round 15 when his Queensland front row partner had left the field early.
But he maintained it wasn't just he who had stood up this year during any absence in the pack.
"Obviously when you have players like Napa, Sio Siua (Taukeiaho), Zane (Tetevano) in the team with experience, you share the workload," he said.
"When you get these younger boys and they don't play as much time, obviously statistically you are going to do more work because you are out there longer.
"But we have guys in the team like (bench forwards) Lindsay (Collins), (Nat) Butcher and Ryan Matterson that I've really enjoyed their growth this year."
"To see them grow with the confidence they have now 26 rounds in, you build that relationship and trust."
Waerea-Hargreaves and the Roosters' pack have had their help too in terms of the territorial battle.
Cooper Cronk is ranked second in the league for average kick metres, while the 688 metres he booted against Cronulla in week one of the finals was the most by any player in any game this year according to Fox Sports Stats.
Blake Ferguson and James Tedesco are also the NRL's two leading metre-eaters in the competition this year, while Daniel Tupou is ranked sixth to make for the best running and most powerful back three in the NRL to kickstart their sets.
"For myself and Fergo we just love doing it," Tupou said.
"We know it helps the forwards out and puts them on the front foot.
"That helps out not just the forwards but the whole team, especially with Cooper and his kicking game."
Australian Associated Press
