Cronulla Sharks rookie Jayden Brailey to play big minutes with James Segeyaro NRL return delayed

ROOKIE Cronulla hooker Jayden Brailey will have to keep playing big minutes with fellow dummy-half James Segeyaro sidelined at least another six weeks.

ROOKIE Cronulla hooker Jayden Brailey is backing himself to punch out a few more 80-minute performances with fellow dummy-half James Segeyaro out at least another six weeks.

Segeyaro had a guard around his right broken arm at Sharks training on Wednesday, and while the initial hope was for him to be back around the start of the State of Origin period, he is not expected back until the round 19 game against the Titans.

The experienced Segeyaro broke his arm in round six against Melbourne, and is yet to even resume contact work.

Cronulla Sharks rookie Jayden Brailey. Picture: Brett Costello

Fortunately for the premiers, Brailey has played two full games against the Wests Tigers and North Queensland in the past three weeks, and the 21-year-old is happy to do so against Canterbury on Saturday night.

It will be Brailey’s toughest test yet as he runs out at Southern Cross Group Stadium without Blues stars Andrew Fifita, Wade Graham, James Maloney and Jack Bird.

Michael Ennis, Cronulla’s retired premiership-winning No.9 and Brailey’s mentor, also backed his first-year successor to churn through long spells.

Sharks rake Jayden Brailey links with Valentine Holmes at Southern Cross Group Stadium. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“Certainly the way (coach) Shane (Flanagan) likes to rotate his bench, it’s really ideal for him for Jayden to go the 80 minutes, and if you ask him he’ll deliver — if you want him to play 80, he’ll find a way to get it done,’’ Ennis told The Daily Telegraph.

“He’s more than shown he’s going to be a quality dummy-half for a long time.’’

Brailey, an early NRL Rookie of the Year contender, said: “I’ve got through three full games now, I enjoy the 80 minutes, you get used to the speed of play, it’s always the plan to do it, but it depends on how the games pan out.

“Joey Paulo has also been filling in there if I can’t get through it.

Jayden Brailey goes close to scoring during last Thursday’s win over North Queensland. Picture: Mark Evans

“With Chicko (Segeyaro), he’s been working hard in rehab, and it’s one of those things where he if he rushes it and does it again, he will be pushing (to return) finals time.

“I’ve been happy with my first 11 weeks. The body is feeling good at the moment, I’m always sore post game, but I’m just as excited as I was in round one, but probably more calm.’’

Brailey recalled his Holden Cup debut was alongside Michael Lichaa at hooker, who then left to join Canterbury, who let go Ennis in a move which led to him finishing his career at Cronulla in their historic first premiership-winning side.

Originally published as Cronulla Sharks rookie Jayden Brailey to play big minutes with James Segeyaro NRL return delayed