Former Vodafone Fiji Bati captain Kevin Ligani Naiqama received a fitting farewell during Saturday night’s Pacific Bowl championship game, which marked his final appearance on the field. The Bati team dominated the Cook Islands with a score of 56-6 at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva, during the second round of the Pacific Bowl Championship.
At 35 years old, Naiqama, who hails from Nabuna, Koro in Lomaiviti, shared his plans to spend quality time with his family and reflect on his career in rugby league following his retirement. Throughout his career, he represented Fiji in three Rugby League World Cups, captaining the team twice, including at the 2022 World Cup in England, where they were narrowly defeated by New Zealand, 24-18, in the quarter-finals. In total, he earned 24 caps for the Bati.
Naiqama’s remarkable career includes victories in three NRL Grand Finals and two Super League titles. He described his recent two-week experience in Fiji as emotionally charged 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,” he expressed.
Looking ahead, Naiqama stated that he plans to consider his wife Lily’s aspirations since she has supported him throughout his career. He applauded the performance of the Bati team, noting that they are in a strong position to win the Pacific Bowl Championship, contingent on the outcome of the Cook Islands versus Papua New Guinea Kumuls match.
Having played in the Super League since 2019 and returning to the NRL in 2022, Naiqama joined Huddersfield Giants in 2023, where he played 52 matches. He reflected on the honor of representing Fiji, emphasizing the unique bond formed through cultural heritage. He noted the special motivation that comes with playing for one’s country, stating, “You sort of need no motivation to get up representing your country.”
During the match, he was touched to see his family from Koro wearing T-shirts with his name and face printed on them. Over his 14-year career, Naiqama played for several teams, including the Newcastle Knights, Penrith Panthers, Wests Tigers, St Helens RLFC, Sydney Roosters, and more recently, Huddersfield Giants.
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