Viliame Kikau, a key player for the Vodafone Fiji Bati, is filled with optimism as his team prepares for a crucial match on Saturday night. The forward, known for his physical play, describes the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Kumuls as a formidable opponent, characterizing their impact on the field as feeling like “a ton of bricks.”
At 29 years old, Kikau acknowledges the strength and competitiveness of the Kumuls, noting that they are always a challenging team to compete against. He is eager for the Bati to perform well in front of their home crowd, hoping to provide an exciting match for their fans.
“This is a significant game against our PNG brothers; they are a very physical team that comes out hard from the very first minute until the end,” Kikau explained. “It’s like a ton of bricks running at you for the entire 80 minutes.”
Kikau, who hails from Bau, Tailevu, missed the previous year’s Pacific Bowl Championship in PNG to focus on his upcoming NRL season with the Bulldogs. He has taken on a mentorship role during training at Albert Park, stepping up as one of the more experienced players.
Reflecting on his early days with the Bati, Kikau shared, “I remember being a shy kid in my first couple of games, always looking up to the senior players for guidance and communication. Many of the younger players have little NRL experience, so my role is to encourage them to speak up and build their confidence as we prepare for this weekend’s game.”
The Bati roster features emerging talents like teenagers Jordan Miller, who is poised to make his debut, and Jethro Rinakama. Kikau understands that Fijian youth can be reserved, often needing time to acclimatize to their surroundings and engage in conversations.
“I’m here to support them and ensure they stay focused, and I hope they walk away from this camp having learned something valuable,” he added. “We’re focused and ready for this week’s game.”