James Segeyaro, Panthers v Raiders, NRL 2013, round 1. Picture: Getty Images
WHAT'S the only thing better than one hooker?
Well, as the Penrith Panthers say, it's two hookers.
And who could argue?
Coach Ivan Cleary implemented a tag-team dummy half assault against the Canberra Raiders, with captain Kevin Kingston and new recruit James Segeyaro spending several minutes on the field at the same time.
It worked wonders.
Kingston controlled the ruck with his trademark consistency and defence.
Segeyaro took advantage of the sweltering conditions to run the big Raiders forward pack ragged.
The end result? A 32-10 win.
"We talked about that a lot in the off-season, where me and Kevvy [Kevin Kingston] have been working at me coming on at lock and he stays at hooker and we swap around," Segeyaro said.
"It showed that it can work with both of us on the field. I felt I had a bit more energy when Kev came on. I got to have a little bit of a rest here and there when he jumped into the dummy-half role, and I think it paid off."
Last week, Kingston told the Star he thought Segeyaro would be the recruit who would have the biggest impact for the Panthers in 2013.
No one could argue with his prediction in as much as the man known as Chiko continues to impress in Penrith colours after moving south from North Queensland
"I thought Chiko was really good. He really added some spark after the first 20 minutes and we needed that," Kingston said.
"He changed the game. That's going to be his role and he's going to need to do that."
The new one-two No.9 punch faces its first serious test this week against Wests Tigers rake Robbie Farah.
Farah, the incumbent NSW hooker, was below par in the Tigers opening round loss and will be eager to bounce back in round two. But simple maths tell you two is better than one — however will it be enough to get the two points?
■ Wests Tigers v Panthers Campbelltown Stadium, Sunday March 17, 3pm.