From a humble beginning as a shy child to becoming a key player for the Vodafone Fiji Bati, forward Viliame Kikau is hopeful the team will deliver an impressive performance on Saturday night.
Kikau compared the physical play of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Kumuls to facing a heavy load, stating that their Melanesian counterparts are consistently challenging opponents, ensuring that the match will be anything but easy.
With the support of the home crowd, Kikau anticipates that the Bati will put forth an entertaining display for their fans. “It’s a big game with the PNG brothers; they are a physical team – they come out hard from the first minute to the end. It just feels like a ton of bricks running at you the whole 80 minutes,” he remarked.
The 29-year-old from Bau, Tailevu, did not participate in last year’s Pacific Bowl Championship in PNG, prioritizing the 2024 NRL season with the Bulldogs instead. He has taken on a leadership role during training sessions at Albert Park, offering guidance to younger players.
“I remember being a shy kid during my early games for the Bati, looking up to the senior players for communication and support,” he noted. “Many of the younger players have limited NRL experience, so encouraging them to speak up and communicate effectively boosts their confidence as we approach the weekend’s match.”
Kikau highlighted the inclusion of teenagers Jordan Miller and Jethro Rinakama in the squad, noting that they are likely to make their debuts on Saturday. He acknowledged that many young Fijian boys tend to be reserved and require time to adapt to speaking up.
“I’m just here to support them, guide them when needed, and hope they take valuable lessons from this camp,” he said. “We’re focused on preparing for this week’s game.”