Former Vodafone Fiji Bati captain Kevin Ligani Naiqama received a fitting farewell during Saturday night’s Pacific Bowl championship game, which marked his final match. The Fiji Bati dominated the Cook Islands, winning 56-6 at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva during the second round of the championship.
Naiqama, a 35-year-old from Nabuna, Koro in Lomaiviti, shared his plans to spend quality time with his family and reflect on his rugby league journey. Throughout his career, he represented Fiji in three Rugby League World Cups, captaining the team in two tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup in England, where they faced New Zealand in the quarter-finals.
He earned a total of 24 caps for the Bati and celebrated significant achievements, including three NRL Grand Finals and two Super League titles. Reflecting on his recent time in Fiji, Naiqama described the experience as highly emotional and unique.
“I’m really honoured and privileged to represent my country – it was just so fitting to have my last game here in Fiji,” Naiqama remarked. He also mentioned that his next steps would involve considering his wife Lily’s plans, as she has supported him throughout his career.
Naiqama praised the team’s performance and expressed optimism that the Bati could secure the Pacific Bowl Championship, provided that the Cook Islands defeat Papua New Guinea’s Kumuls in Port Moresby on Saturday. Since 2019, Naiqama has played in the Super League, returning briefly to the NRL in 2022 before joining the Huddersfield Giants, where he has played 52 matches since 2023.
“What an experience it is to represent Fiji Bati; there’s a commonality and a thread that tied us together,” he stated. He emphasized the significance of representing one’s nation, noting that the bond with family and heritage creates a special motivation to play.
Naiqama expressed his delight to see his family from Koro wearing T-shirts emblazoned with his name and face. Throughout his 14-year career, he played for various clubs, including the Newcastle Knights, Penrith Panthers, Wests Tigers, St Helens RLFC, Sydney Roosters, and most recently, the Huddersfield Giants.
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