New signing James Segeyaro is only going to get better - that's the message from Cronulla after the dynamic hooker made his return to the NRL in Saturday's 20-6 win over Parramatta.
While there were few bright spots in the Sharks' mistake-riddled victory at ANZ Stadium, Segeyaro's debut was a promising development for a side facing a post-premiership rebuild.
He was given just 20-minute cameo at the end of the game - replacing young No.9 Jayden Brailey - and his involvement was largely uneventful.
Coach Shane Flanagan expects the former Penrith and North Queensland man to take time to settle into his new surroundings but was encouraged by his positive start after having just two training sessions with his new teammates.
"I thought he did a good job, he showed some energy, got to dummy half, was tidy out of dummy half and just relieves the pressure on Jayden," Flanagan said.
"I've said it a number of times, Jayden's a really good young hooker, we've got to look after him so his career develops.
"Chicko's the perfect example, he can come on. And as time goes on, he'll pull sides apart when they're getting tired."
Segeyaro's release from Leeds Rhinos came at a cost for the Sharks - with club forced to pay a six-figure transfer fee following his acrimonious exit from the Super League outfit.
The 26-year-old left Penrith last year and Saturday's game was his first NRL outing since last May.
He was thrown a lifeline by the Rhinos, only to walk out four games into a two-year deal citing homesickness, eventually finding a new home at Cronulla.
Fullback Valentine Holmes said Segeyaro had done well given his limited preparation.
"He's been around for a while, he was the Dally M hooker of the year a few years ago so it's nothing new to him," Holmes said.
"He's just got to adjust to how we play and he did that really well. As the games go on, he'll get used to it."
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