Unwanted NRL star who walked out on Leeds contract, now working in local coffee shop

Remember James Segeyaro? Yes, the one that walked out on his contract with Leeds Rhinos at the end of 2016… Well after failing to find an NRL club for 2019, he is now working in a local coffee shop.

Segeyaro walked out on the Rhinos prior to the 2017 Super League season to return to the NRL, however he is now without a club after Cronulla Sharks failed to find room on their cap to retain him.

As a result, the 28-year-old is working in a Sydney coffee shop with retired New Zealand winger Jason Nightingale and is hoping an NRL club comes in for him before the new season.

“I’m in the middle of no man’s land at the moment,” Segeyaro told Nine News Sydney.

“Every footy player knows how daunting it is when you don’t have a club. I haven’t got paid since October.”

After signing a two-year deal with Leeds in September 2016, Segeyaro walked out of the contract just two months later and only avoided court after the Rhinos agreed a settlement with Cronulla in March 2017.

Two seasons on and with the Sharks deciding not to keep the former Papua New Guinea international, he has been unable to sign a deal elsewhere despite speaking to a number of teams.

Rugby League is a brutal game on the field…but things can also be tough for players off it. @DanikaMason9 #9News pic.twitter.com/fVukK4bRcF

— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) February 7, 2019

“I was talking to clubs prior to the season and I thought I was going to be sweet but fast forward to now and it’s pretty tough,” Segeyaro explained.

“I was close to getting signed but a lot of things go into it that you don’t even realise. I’m ready to go and I’m pretty sure every club knows my capabilities.”