James Segeyaro

The former Cowboy, Panther, Shark and Bronco will run onto the field on Thursday for the first time since 2019, when he received a 20-month suspension after testing positive for a prohibited substance. The positive test allegedly came after using a housemate’s blender.

But on Sunday, the former Dally M Hooker of the Year announced he had signed with Blacktown Workers - the feeder club for Manly - for the upcoming season.

As the saying goes ‘it's not the destination it's the journey’, the phrase resonates well with Segeyaro on so many levels of his rollercoaster rugby league journey.

Segeyaro admitted these past two years have been nothing short of a blessing in many ways.

Fox Sports reported that the Broncos hooker has been provisionally suspended for returning a positive A-sample for Ligandrol, a non-steroidanabolic agent popular with bodybuilders after he was tested on September 3.

He now has the chance to have his B sample tested, and a positive result would automatically trigger a four-year ban from all WADA compliant sports.

However, Thurston, who played with Segeyaro at the Cowboys in 2011 and 2012, said people can be too quick to judge an individual’s circumstances.

He will lead the team for Saturday’s Oceania Cup Pacific Test against Toa Samoa at Leichhardt, west of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia.

The 28-year-old, originally from the Eastern Highlands, will captain the national side for the second time.

He was captain in the Pacific Test match against Fiji Batis last year.

“James led the PNG LNG Kumuls to a 26-14 win against Fiji and I had no hesitation in appointing him again to captain the national team this Saturday against Samoa,” Marum said from the team hotel in Sydney on Wednesday.

Fox Sports has reported that the hooker, who signed for the Broncos earlier this month, was caught on his way to buy a morning coffee.

Segeyaro was on his P-plates and as a consequence should have had a zero reading.

“The Brisbane Broncos can confirm that James Segeyaro has been issued with a notice to appear for driving under the influence of alcohol,” the Broncos said in a statement.

Fox Sports reported that currently contracted to the Sharks’ feeder-club the Newtown Jets, the 28-year-old has been released from his one-year contract to join Brisbane for the remainder of the season.

Segeyaro’s signing comes at a crucial time with Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough out with a knee injury.

McCullough will miss six to eight weeks, after suffering an MCL injury at Broncos training.

Segeyaro’s move to Queensland gives him the opportunity to play behind a much hyped young Broncos’ forward pack.

The former Dally M hooker of the year was cut from Cronulla’s 30-man playing roster to ensure the Sharks were cap compliant before this week’s season opener against Newcastle.

After he also signed a $1 deal to play with Newtown in the NSW Cup, Segeyaro hopes the Sharks can offload another player to allow him to resume his NRL career in the Shire.

The training deal allows Segeyaro to bide his time at the Sharks without being paid and remain match fit playing for Newtown while Cronulla attempt to resolve their salary-cap issues.

The hooker was let go by the Sharks at the end of last season after a two-year spell at the club.

There was interest in Segeyaro over the summer, with the Newcastle Knights said to be looking at the 28-year-old.

But nothing came of it, which forced the Papua New Guinea international to take work as a barista to make ends meet.

But now after agreeing to a one-year deal, the former Cowboys, Penrith and Leeds rake will join the Brailey brothers — Jayden and Blayke — in competing for the Sharks’ No 9 jersey.

But the former Dally M hooker is facing a doubtful future in the 2019 NRL season.

Commonly referred to as The Jack In The Box, 28-year-old James Segeyaro is regarded by sporting pundits as one of the most dangerous hookers out of dummy-half in the current NRL competition.

But his past off-field carelessness is looking to cost him his career in the NRL. Segeyaro remains unsigned for the 2019 season after being released by Cronulla and is fast running out of time to get a new club.

Coach Michael Marum made the announcement on Tuesday.

The 27 year old Eastern Highlander made his debut as Kumul No. 282 in the 2017 World Cup against Wales in Port Moresby and went on to play the next three games including their quarter final loss against England in Melbourne.

In a statement Marum said it is James' second year representing PNG and he has really settled into being a Kumul.

“He has been outstanding for Cronulla Sharks in their recent games, and has become one of the leaders at his club.