Former Vodafone Fiji Bati captain Kevin Ligani Naiqama received a memorable farewell during Saturday night’s Pacific Bowl championship game, which marked his final appearance on the rugby field. The Bati team dominated the Cook Islands with a resounding 56-6 victory at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva in the second round of the Pacific Bowl Championship.
At 35 years old, Naiqama, who hails from Nabuna, Koro in Lomaiviti, plans to spend quality time with his family and reflect on his rugby league career. He represented Fiji in three Rugby League World Cups, captaining the team in two, including the 2022 tournament in England where they were narrowly defeated by New Zealand in the quarter-finals. Over his career, Naiqama earned 24 caps for the Bati and celebrated three NRL Grand Finals and two Super League titles.
Naiqama expressed that his time in Fiji over the past two weeks has been a unique and emotional experience. “I’m really honoured and privileged to represent my country – it was just so fitting to have my last game here in Fiji,” he stated. He also mentioned his next steps would involve considering his wife Lily’s plans, as she has supported his career throughout.
He praised the team’s performance, noting that the Bati are well-positioned to secure the Pacific Bowl Championship, depending on the outcome of the Cook Islands against the Papua New Guinea Kumuls in Port Moresby.
Since 2019, Naiqama has played in the Super League, returning to the NRL in 2022 before rejoining the Super League with Huddersfield, where he has played 52 matches since 2023.
Reflecting on his journey, he remarked, “What an experience it is to represent Fiji Bati, there’s a commonality and a thread that tied us together.” He contrasted the bonds within the national team, which are rooted in familial connections, to those in club rugby.
Seeing his family from Koro wearing T-shirts emblazoned with his name and face was a poignant moment for him. Over his 14-year career, he 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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