Menzie Yere pens one-year contract with Eagles

10/01/2020

Sheffield Eagles are delighted to announce the re-signing of Menzie Yere on a one-year deal.

Having dominated the Championship since arriving from Papua New Guinea ahead of the 2009 season, Yere’s experience is unprecedented and he will now add another year to his CV.

A fan favourite and affectionately known as the ‘Jukebox’, it’s not just the supporters who will be happy to see Yere stay in Red and Gold - as Director of Rugby Mark Aston explains: “He’s a legend, a champion, and when he played some of the games last year he could still handle it,”

“The big thing for me is that he deserves to be honoured and granted a testimonial.

“There are a lot of reasons why we want to keep him and it’s good that he’ll be around the young players.

“He isn’t a talker, but he does things and he certainly can pass on the knowledge he has gained over here.

“He wants to be a one-club man. I’m sure there are plenty of clubs who have looked at him but he wanted to stay at Sheffield and finish his career with us.

“We’re delighted with that as he has been one of, if not the best overseas players Sheffield Eagles have ever had.”

Yere first caught the attention of Aston via one of the Eagles chief’s friends.

Former Eagle Carl Briggs recommended Yere before the 2008 World Cup, in which the Jukebox starred for the Kumuls.

Aston added: “I was talking to Carl, who emigrated over to Australia and also helped with us with QLT too,”

“I said I wanted a centre, he said “watch this kid, he’s The Jukebox” and I saw him play against Australia in the 2008 World Cup.

“He is special, he flew out of the line and missed Johnathon Thurston by an inch. As we’ve learnt now, he doesn’t usually miss those tackles!

“From that day, we started the conversation and we were delighted to get him over for the 2009 season.”

Despite not being at the peak of his powers, Yere still crossed the whitewash on multiple occasions last season as his influence on the squad, both on and off the pitch, remained.

“Not only does he score tries, he frightens teams to death defensively,” Aston said.

“He is The Jukebox, the big hitter, and he has made a name for himself over here where he’s settled.

“There is still something left in those old legs of Menzie, there’s no doubt about that.

“You know wherever he plays, if it’s in the forwards or on the edges, there’s going to be a fear factor about him.

“If you run straight at Menzie Yere, all I’ll say is “good luck!”

You can watch Yere in action for Sheffield with a Season Membership.

Make sure to get yours here!

By Dan Fowler, photo by Alex Coleman