Segeyaro says he wants to leave Leeds

James Segeyaro says he is homesick and does not want to return to the UK to play for Leeds Rhinos.

Segeyaro is contracted to Leeds for 2017.

The hooker told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph that: “This isn’t about rugby league, it’s about happiness.’’

“We always tell people, ‘if you’re not happy, then why are you doing it? And that’s what this is about, being happy.’

“I couldn’t thank Gary [Hetherington] enough, the coaching staff and the players for accepting me the way they did. The fans made playing there, great.

“And my time there, although it was only eight weeks, helped me to mature as a person and be independent.

“But it’s hard when it’s just you eating dinner by yourself within four walls, especially the type of person I am.

“You start missing home, you look on your phone and see your parents and friends, who I treat like family and you’re a million miles away.

“That’s probably when I started questioning; ‘why am I doing this?

“The last two weeks I spent over there I tried hard to get into the English culture as I was really struggling.

“But I’m from North Queensland and I was born to go outside all the time. I fish, swim, go camping, all my childhood was outside.

“I’m a person who likes to do a lot of things, be outside and active.

“I was trying to do that over in England, but it’s not me. Mentally, I wasn’t happy … I found myself so lonely.

“I needed my friends and my family who are number one. Anyone that knows my story, knows how close my family and friends are to me.

“I missed them so much. I missed my friends and in the last two weeks, I was so homesick.

“As soon as I got home, it was like a relief. I was so happy.

“Everyone is different and for me, I didn’t realise how much I needed my friends and family until I didn’t have that.’’

Segeyaro re-signed with Leeds at the end of the 2016 season.

“I want to get on with my life and unfortunately, that doesn’t include going back to the UK. I just can’t do it,” he said.

“I’m due back with Leeds on January 3, but honestly I’m not even looking that far ahead, I’m just taking each day as it comes.’’