Former Vodafone Fiji Bati captain Kevin Ligani Naiqama was honored with a fitting send-off during the Pacific Bowl championship game, which marked his final match. The Bati team dominated the Cook Islands with a score of 56-6 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva last Saturday, securing their place in the second round of the tournament.
At 35 years old, the native of Nabuna, Koro, expressed his plans to now focus on spending quality time with his family and reflecting on his rugby league journey. Naiqama has represented Fiji in three Rugby League World Cups, having captained the side in two, including the 2022 World Cup in England where they reached the quarter-finals against New Zealand.
Throughout his career, Naiqama earned 24 international caps for the Bati and celebrated victories in three NRL Grand Finals along with two Super League titles. He described his recent experience in Fiji as deeply emotional and unique.
“I’m really honored and privileged to represent my country – it was just so fitting to have my last game here in Fiji,” Naiqama shared. He also mentioned plans to align with his wife, Lily, as she has supported him throughout his career, indicating that they would explore future opportunities together.
Naiqama praised his team’s performance, noting that the Bati is well-positioned to contend for the Pacific Bowl Championship, contingent on the Cook Islands’ outcome against the Papua New Guinea Kumuls in Port Moresby.
Having played in the Super League since 2019, Naiqama briefly returned to the NRL in 2022 before moving back to the Super League with Huddersfield, where he has played 52 matches since 2023.
“What an experience it is to represent Fiji Bati; there’s a bond that ties us together,” he reflected. He emphasized that unlike club teams where players can change frequently, representing Fiji is about heritage and family connections, which adds special meaning to the role.
Naiqama was especially touched to see his family from Koro wearing shirts featuring his name and face. His impressive 14-year career included stints with the Newcastle Knights, Penrith Panthers, Wests Tigers, St Helens RLFC, Sydney Roosters, and most recently, the Huddersfield Giants.
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