Segeyaro’s debut has Broncos percolating

JAMES Segeyaro was working as a barista a week ago but now he is the toast of the Brisbane Broncos.
The wily hooker — with the benefit of international football with both the Prime Minister’s 13 and Papua New Guinea Kumuls, plus the experience of finals footy with the Cowboys, Panthers and Sharks — has already left his mark with the Broncos in just 28 minutes of game time.
Segeyaro rose to the occasion in crunch time, scoring a crucial 69th-minute try to ensure Anthony Seibold’s men a 15-10 victory over the Roosters on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
“I thought he might have a crack at some stage because he’s pretty good close to the line. That was very enjoyable,” Seibold said of the club’s new signing.
“He’s had an emotional day as his mum and step dad came down from Cairns and his step dad presented him with his jersey.
“Chico [Segeyaro] has been a Broncos supporter since he was a kid, he tells me. He said it was pretty surreal out there. It was a really good way to finish.
“He’s been a good addition to our team. He’s a great character.”
As for Segayaro, who was playing for Cronulla’s feeder team Newtown a week ago while working in a coffee shop, he’s still coming to grips with the stark change in his life.
“Lucky person; lucky time. It’s funny how life works sometimes,” the 28-year-old said.
“One day you’re in reserve grade and the next you’re playing NRL scoring the winning try.
“I keep working hard and get myself ready whatever opportunity comes. I’d like to thank Seibs and the Brisbane Broncos for giving me the opportunity.
“I haven’t even had a full week yet but obviously I’ve gelled in with the boys really well – they’ve made me feel at home. I can’t thank them enough. I was never giving up – always living the dream.”
Segeyaro has come in as a back-up hooker with Andrew McCullough (knee injury) out for at least another month.
He initially wasn’t part of Shane Flanagan’s 2019 plans. Then incoming coach John Morris took over and has had to deal with salary cap pressures, so ‘Chico’ ended up in Canterbury Cup.
“It’s been very, very emotional and mentally challenging … maybe not just this year but the last six to eight months … very tough,” he said.
“But I knew if I put my energy in the right areas, instead of kicking stones and worrying about myself, it was only going to work out for me.”
As for that try by sneaking through the Roosters, nothing special there he reckons.
“I’ve been in plenty of games like that, many situations, so I just try to do what the team needs,” he said.
“It’s always team-first mentality for me. It could have been me, or it could have been Anth (Anthony Milford), Darius (Boyd) or Jamayne (Isaako), or anyone. I was just right there at the right time. I went with my instinct.
“You can’t really plan for things like that – you’ve just got to let your second nature take control.
“I just played the ball and thought ‘I might have a little sniff here and see what it smells like’. And it smelt good.”
And that’s how the Broncos are feeling with back-to-back wins for the first time in 2019.
“Certainly it’s great to beat the Roosters as they’ve been in outstanding form,” Seibold said.
“It’s a really good kick-start to our year. We needed a result against a top-four side just to give ourselves some confidence.”
Seibold had five players with 10 games or less NRL experience against the Roosters, and seven players aged 20 or under.
“So there’s not a whole heap of footy in them,” he said.
“But they are there to do a job. I believe in them. I’ve got their backs.”
As for Segeyaro, he’s living in a city hotel and hopes to find something a little more permanent soon.
“I just need time to find my feet,” he said.
“Even though Brisbane might be smaller than Sydney I need time to get used to it. I’ve got to go out there and find which area has the best coffee.” – NRL