Leeds Rhinos: Rhinos confident star hooker Segeyaro will see out his contract

LEEDS RHINOS are confident star hooker James Segeyaro will see out his contract, despite speculation linking him with a return to Australia.
James SegayaroJames Segayaro
James Segayaro

Segeyaro joined Rhinos on loan from Penrith Panthers last July and signed a two-year deal in September.

The Australian media have continued to link him with clubs in the NRL, with the latest report suggesting he could ask for a release in order to join Cronulla Sharks.

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The NRL Grand Final winners are in the market for a number nine following the retirement of Michael Ennis.

They have signed 22-year-old Manaia Cherrington from Wests Tigers, but are understood to be keen to bring in a more experienced rake.

Segeyaro, a former NRL hooker of the year, had a clause in his initial arrangement with Leeds allowing him to return Down Under if an Australian club offered a deal, but that has now expired.

Rhinos spokesman Phil Daly said: “We don’t comment on speculation, however it would be fair to say that James is contracted for the next two seasons and we are confident he will be with us until at least the end of the 2018 season.”

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Segeyaro has been given an extended break in Australia and is not due back at Leeds to begin pre-season until January, but has been issued a training schedule to work on during his stay in Sydney.

Despite reports in the Australian press suggesting he was homesick during his first campaign in Super League Segeyaro now has his own house in Leeds and has insisted he is settled and happy at Rhinos.

The Papua New Guinea international played in Rhinos’ final 10 games of the 2016 season and was on the losing side only once.

His influence was crucial as Rhinos climbed off the foot of Super League to finish ninth and then topped the Qualifiers table.