James Segeyaro, he’s electric out of dummy half, he hits hard, and he’s as deceptive as they come. Yet somehow, the incumbent Papua New Guinea rake and former Dally M Hooker of the Year is without a contract for the 2019 season. But why?

The 28-year-old livewire has played his footy off the bench for Cronulla the past two seasons, with some even calling for him to replace Andrew McCullough as the Maroons' answer for Damien Cook last year. But the emergence of young number nine Blayke Brailey from the Sharks' junior system has seen Segeyaro deemed ‘surplus for requirements’.

While clubs have considered throwing the former Panther a lifeline in recent months, rumours of off-field indiscretions have warned teams off signing the pocket rocket.

Newcastle were one team considering signing Segeyaro, with Knights’ hooker Slade Griffin out for at least half the season with a ruptured ACL. But instead of offering him a lifeline, they instead opted to sign Kurt Mann, a noted outside back, and train him as a dummy-half instead.

Canterbury are another team that could use Segeyaro’s services, with number nine Michael Lichaa coming under fire in recent years for his lack of creativity around the ruck. However, the Bulldogs’ financial troubles would stand as a big roadblock.

Finally, Parrramatta are desperate for a quality hooker. Bit-part players Kaysa Pritchard, Cameron King, Reed Mahoney and Will Smith all spent time at hooker for the Eels in 2018, but they lacked star power from dummy-half. Segeyaro would add spark to a side coming off a last placed finish, and give them a much needed attacking boost.

While some believe that Parramatta wouldn’t sign Segeyaro while Corey Norman was at the club (due to the two being caught up in off-field indiscretions together), the latter’s move to St George Illawarra could potentially open the door for the Kumuls hooker to sign with Parramatta.

A move to the Super League would be out of the question, with Segeyaro playing the second half of the 2016 season with the Leeds Rhinos, before returning to Sydney six months later due to homesickness.

A recipient of the Dally M Hooker of the Year less than five years ago, it would be crazy not to take the gamble on a player with a lot still to give in rugby league.

15 COMMENTS

  1. I always hoped the Dogs would try to make cap space to afford him. He is exactly what they need because hooker is their biggest weakness easily.

  4. Always thought he would be awesome at Parra or back at the Panthers to help them win a title. I know he won’t be cheap but surely both a club and seggy could agree on a contract for about 350/400k

  5. Being caught up in the ganster gambling syndicate with Norman should be enough reason for Parra or any other club to sign this game thrower 🔫😎👉👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👩‍👩‍👧‍👧

  8. For what it’s worth, I can’t imagine this is purely about $, not with the 2019 season so close.
    I do agree with the reference in the article that he and Norman in the same side probably wouldn’t be a good idea, but I can only assume (assumptions only) that it goes deeper than that.
    If there isn’t any “potential issues”, and if he’s not a “potentially bad influence”, then I’d be surprised if we don’t sign him very soon, but probably only on a 1 year deal.

  9. Sydney Roosters Reach 12,000 members On their 111th Birthday today 24th Jan 2019💪😮👍🐔🐔🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐓🐔🐔🐓🐔🐓🐔

  12. James is now a matured player and I believe he had learned a lot from his past dealings/mistakes. We regard him a legend here in PNG and any NRL team that signs him, will hopefully be in the top 8 this season, 2019.

  13. While playing for Cronulla he talked them up. Also gave a lot of negative chat about Penrith while he was there.
    Now Cronulla doesn’t want him .
    Burning bridges & all that comes to mind. Hope your enjoying Cronulla Sege!
    How does the Queensland Cup sound?

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