Segeyaro is a living testament to just how great our local rugby players can be.
He is a role model to all young Papua New Guineans, with a lesson that no matter what life throws your way, don’t let it overcome you down or throw you off the path to being the best you can be.
Everything is possible – you just have to believe that you will make it, and give it your all to make your dream a reality.
That is exactly how Segeyaro persevered through his rugby career to be named the Dally M Hooker of the Year.
Segeyaro was hit hard when he lost two of his favourite people: first, his good friend to suicide, former Cowboys team-mate, Alex Elisala; and then his beloved father and mentor, Iffy Segeyaro who succumbed to a sudden stroke and whose death brought great grief to the Panthers hooker.
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do and it didn’t really hit me until I saw the coffin go down”, said James on his father’s death.
But rather than drown in sorrow, James surprised us all by channelling his mourning into his sport. A man on a mission, he knew all eyes were on him; with his father to guide him from heaven’s courts, he made sure that nobody would forget James Segeyaro and he achieved NRL stardom.
Papua New Guineans would scream from their televisions when James scored his tries, almost always from the dummy half, with so much ease – sleek and sturdy.
He was named in the NRL Team of the Year on August 24 2014 and later became the first Papua New Guinean to be named ‘Man of the Match’ in any NRL game.
‘Chicko’, as he is known by family, friends and team-mates, has now yet again made PNG proud, particularly his family, relatives, clan and the people of Eastern Highlands.
At 23 years of age, James Segeyaro, the Dally M Hooker of the Year, is already a rugby icon.
“Rugby is a massive part of my life and [my] late father. This will motivate me even more to make him proud.”
Credits: zerotackle, daily telegraph, penrith panthers.com
