Viliame Kikau, a standout forward for the Vodafone Fiji Bati, is hopeful that the team will showcase their best performance in the upcoming match on Saturday night. The 29-year-old compared the physicality of the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Kumuls to running into a ton of bricks, emphasizing that facing their Melanesian counterparts is always a challenging endeavor.
Kikau noted that the Kumuls are known for their toughness, stating that it will not be an easy game. With support from the home crowd, he aims for the Bati to deliver an impressive display in front of their fans.
“It’s a big game against the PNG brothers; they play hard from the first minute to the last,” Kikau remarked. “The feeling is like a ton of bricks coming at you for the full 80 minutes.”
Last year, Kikau missed the Pacific Bowl Championship in PNG to concentrate on the upcoming 2024 NRL season with the Bulldogs. He has taken on a leadership role during training sessions, encouraging younger players.
Reflecting on his journey, Kikau recalled being a shy child during his initial games with the Bati, often looking to senior players for guidance and communication. Now, he strives to instill confidence in the younger team members, many of whom may not have experience in the NRL.
The current Bati squad features promising young talents like Jordan Miller, who is expected to make his debut, and Jethro Rinakama. Kikau noted that Fijian youngsters tend to be reserved and may take time to open up, but he is committed to helping them gain confidence and learn throughout the camp.
“I’m here to support them and keep them focused. By the time they leave, I hope they’ve picked up valuable lessons,” he said. “We’re preparing and concentrating on the game this week.”