Late in the Panthers' 32-12 win over the Roosters at the SCG, Waerea-Hargreaves collected James Fisher-Harris high as the Penrith prop crossed for a try.
It originally appeared that all Gerard Sutton would do was report Waerea-Hargreaves and give the Panthers a shot at an eight-point penalty try, but the official showed no hesitation in going a step further when the Roosters front-rower dropped an expletive.
"You take every opportunity to put me on report, don't you reckon?" Waerea-Hargreaves fumed as Sutton reported him.
As Waerea-Hargreaves trudged from the field, Sutton said to Roosters captain James Tedesco: "I can't tolerate that".
Trent Robinson admitted Waerea-Hargreaves shouldn't have spoken like he did when asked about the situation in his press conference, but the Roosters coach also defended the workhorse.
"And then you can't speak like that.
"If Jared does something like that, everyone's ears prick up!
The Panthers now sit two wins clear on top of the ladder, and the Roosters are placed seventh
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