James Segeyaro’s former Penrith teammate Jeremy Latimore expects the hooker to return to the form that saw him win the Dally M hooker of the year award.
Cronulla announced Segeyaro had officially joined the club on Tuesday afternoon. The 26-year-old had been training with the Sharks since late last week having secured a release from UK Super League club Leeds.
Segeyaro brings a wealth of experience to the side, having played 103 NRL games with North Queensland and the Panthers. He left Penrith midway through last season to join Leeds but has now signed a two-year contract with the Sharks.
Latimore, who joined Cronulla from Penrith at the end of last season, thinks the Sharks have made a shrewd pick up and backed Segeyaro to get back to his career best form.
“Two years ago he was the Dally M hooker of the year. It’s probably a confidence thing and getting confident in his surroundings. I think once he gets some fitness and some footy under his belt… once he gets his stride back hopefully he can get back to the footy he can play. ” Latimore said.
“Obviously he’s had a rough couple of months but I know him. He’s an energetic sort of guy. I’ve been joking with him saying I’d hate to be the first bloke that runs at him when he gets an opportunity because he’ll be bouncing out of his skin.
“I know he’s excited to be playing footy again. It’s hard when you’re not playing, he hasn’t been injured or anything. He’s fit and well but just hasn’t been able to play and train with the group. I hope I’m not the first guy in a tackle with him, he might take me out.
“He’s got the way he plays football and I don’t think Flano will want him to change the way he plays. He’s a dynamic sort of player. We’ve got a few blokes who can offload in this team that might play into his hands. He’ll probably stick to what he’s done in the past because it’s worked for him. He’ll bring that strength to the team.”
Cronulla have been impressed with the way last season’s under-20s player of the year Jayden Brailey has stepped into the No.9 jersey, vacated by the retirement of Michael Ennis, in the opening three rounds.
But the signing of Segeyaro gives the Sharks more depth at hooker and will allow Brailey more time to develop and become accustomed to the rigours of NRL football.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said he was excited to have Segeyaro as part of the squad.
“James has missed a fair bit of training and we probably won’t see the best of him for a few weeks [but] he is a quality player and one that will certainly add something to our team,” Flanagan said.
“He gives us some real competition at hooker and Jayden will need some help during the year and James will provide that.”
Flanagan has named Segeyaro in his 21-man squad for the Sharks’ clash with Parramatta at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
