Kevin Ligani Naiqama, the former captain of the Vodafone Fiji Bati, said an emotional farewell during Saturday night’s Pacific Bowl championship game, which marked his final appearance on the field. The Bati dominated the Cook Islands, winning 56-6 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva during the second round of the championship.
At 35 years old, the native of Nabuna, Koro, in Lomaiviti, expressed plans to focus on family and reflect on his rugby league journey. naiNaiqama has represented Fiji in three Rugby League World Cups, captaining the team in two tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup in England, where they fell to New Zealand 24-18 in the quarter-finals. He has earned 24 caps for the national team and has also claimed three NRL Grand Finals and two Super League titles.
Reflecting on his experiences in Fiji over the past two weeks, Naiqama shared that it has been a unique and emotional time. “I’m really honoured and privileged to represent my country – it was just so fitting to have my last game here in Fiji,” he remarked. Moving forward, he stated that he would consider what his wife, Lily, wants to pursue, as she has supported him throughout his career.
Naiqama praised the team’s performance, noting that the Bati have a strong chance of securing the Pacific Bowl Championship, depending on the outcome of the Cook Islands match against Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on Saturday.
Since 2019, Naiqama has played in the Super League, returning to the NRL in 2022 before going back to Super League with Huddersfield, where he has made 52 appearances since 2023. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent Fiji, highlighting the deep connection that comes from playing for one’s country due to familial ties.
He was touched by the sight of his family from Koro wearing T-shirts emblazoned with his name and face. Over his 14-year career, Naiqama played for several teams, including the Newcastle Knights, Penrith Panthers, Wests Tigers, St Helens RLFC, Sydney Roosters, and most recently, the Huddersfield Giants.
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