Former Leeds hooker James Segeyaro has been handed a lifeline in the NRL after signing with Brisbane Broncos.
The Broncos’ regular hooker Andrew McCullough has been ruled out for up to two months with an MCL injury and Segeyaro will now provide back up to the inexperienced Jake Turpin.
Segeayro was in the NRL wilderness after being pushed out of Cronulla Shark’s 30-man roster due to salary cap penalties. So far in 2019, the former Penrith star has been playing with Newton Jets.
“It happened within 48 hours to be honest,” said Segeyaro.
“I got a call from my manager letting me know there was an opportunity up here and he said ‘are you keen?’ and I said ‘one hundred per cent. Get me there’. It’s a dream come true.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night. I have been at a couple of clubs before but I was just so nervous to come in. I woke up at 2.30am and then again at 4.30am.
“It is good to get my first session out of the way. It was the butterflies like my first day at school sort of thing. I’ve settled in with the boys now so I am pretty stoked.
“Growing up in Cairns the Broncos were my number one team even though the Cowboys were down the road. I didn’t ever think it would be a possibility playing for the Broncos but Darren Lockyer was my favourite player and I had photos up of Karmichael Hunt.”