Sharks hooker Segeyaro eager to face Eels
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It is probably the worst time to take on the Parramatta Eels, but Cronulla Sharks hooker James Segeyaro can't wait.
"Oh, man, they're going to be so fired up," Segeyaro said, referring to the Eels 54-0 humiliation at the hands of Manly Warringah Sea Eagles last Sunday at Lottoland.
Normally that would raise a red flag with the next opposition team. Usually, a side thumped one week rises from the ashes to inflict pain the next.
And Cronulla is next to face the Eels as part of Saturday's double-header at ANZ Stadium.
Not that there's much crowing from the Sharks' side of the fence.
They, like the Eels, are 0-2 in the 2018 Telstra Premiership season. But the scenario of desperation that will see one finally register a win and the other sink to 0-3 is what intrigues Segeyaro.
"I'm expecting a massive game. Both teams were expected to do big things this year," the 27-year-old said.
"But both of us haven't really delivered. Then again, we've only played two rounds this year.
"So there is a lot of pressure on both teams to perform. And it's good to be in a position like that because it brings out the best in you.
"Cream rises to the top, so that will be the team who holds the ball the longest and fights the hardest."
That wasn't Cronulla's modus operandi in the second half against St George Illawarra last week, when they frittered away a 14-0 lead to lose 20-14.
"It was a frustrating game. The opposition team didn't blow us off the park - it was ourselves and our schoolboy errors," Segeyaro said.
"The ill-discipline has to stop… as soon as possible… like right now.
"Stupid little piggy-back penalties, or giving the opposition seven tackles with poor kicks, that all relieves pressure.
"If we want to be successful in this competition we can't be doing that."
Perhaps the Sharks should follow the Sea Eagles' lead in how to deconstruct the Eels.
"I didn't watch too much of their game on Sunday but it looked like Manly just suffocated Parramatta obviously with the possession," Segeyaro said.
"With the heat and all that, by the time the Eels tried to put on points, they just couldn't hold the ball.
"I'm expecting big things from the Parra boys this Saturday. They're going to be ready. The first 10 to 15 minutes will be very physical.
"They have always prided themselves on their line speed. I dare say they'll be shooting out of their line to prove a point. It will be a good game to be a part of.''
Players pumped for double header
The Eels are likely to be down on confidence, so it's the perfect time to pounce. Segeyaro is not so sure.
"We are both in a similar position so I can't really say kick them while they're down," he said.
"You don't want to give extra motivation to a team that is already motivated."
As for Segeyaro, he just wants more minutes on the field even if he is sharing No.9 duties with Jayden Brailey.
"I've had three years of inconsistency because of injuries. I broke my arm in 2016 and again in 2017," he said.
"So for me, I'm trying to get as much consistency within my role. I want to get as much game time as possible, seeing as I haven't been successfully playing for a long period of time.
"As soon as I do that - after the good pre-season where I got combinations going better - it will be good. I know it takes time and you can't rush things.
"It's early days but it will help if we start winning games. If we start doing that, then my role in the team will get bigger and bigger."
