Eels winger Maika Sivo opens up on touching try-scoring tribute
Parramatta’s latest Fijian powerhouse winger can be a tryscoring sensation — and if he does, he’ll give a silent message of support to those nearest and dearest to him.
Eels
Don't miss out on the headlines from Eels. Followed categories will be added to My News.
STAYING PUT: How Bennett kept Burgess at Bunnies
SPORT CON: Madge blow-up that rattled Tigers
If Maika Sivo scores a try for Parramatta tonight, he will turn his right palm upwards.
Then, stretch out all five fingers.
And wiggle them.
Like flames dancing up and out of a fire.
"My lighthouse," the Eels winger says softly. "For everyone back home."
MORE NRL NEWS
CLUTCH: Iceman Cleary sinks Tigers to seal shock win
ROOKIE: NRL viral sensation set for emotional debut
Already considered one of the greatest NRL stories of 2019, Fijian powerhouse Sivo is now set to unleash his own signature try-scoring celebration to rival the Greg Inglis 'Goanna' and Latrell Mitchell 'Kangaroo'.
Dubbed The Lighthouse, said celebration not only pays homage to the 25-year-old's tiny coastal village of Momi — which has three lighthouses surrounding it — but also the scores of family and friends who each week cram inside those three homes with cable TV to watch him play.
Against the Roosters last Friday night, Sivo twice showed off his Fijian tribute after bagging two tries within nine minutes.
"Which felt good," he grinned.
And as for the reaction back home?
"Oh, they would've been jumping everywhere," continued the flyer who tonight lines up against Cronulla at ANZ Stadium.
"Earlier in the day, before the Roosters game, I called up my cousin who said to me 'hey, score one for us'.
"So I did.
"And then I did 'The Lighthouse'. They asked me to do that too, so I did it.
"It was good".
Against the reigning premiers, Sivo ran for 134m while also making seven tackle busts and three linebreaks.
And now tonight against the Sharkies at Homebush, the Fijian cassava farmer will again be looking to cause havoc on the edges with fellow Eels winger Blake Ferguson.
"Against the Roosters, I was nervous," Sivo said of only his third NRL game.
"Did a couple of mistakes.
"Once, I dropped the ball. Then I kicked one and they caught it.
"But after the first try, I got confidence.
"I know I just need the ball in my hand. Know one-on-one I can beat them."
And when he does that Eels fans, you get The Lighthouse.
Just as it was once the Hayne Plane.
In fact, Sivo is now adding his own signature move to other celebrations like Bryan Fletcher's infamous 'Hand Grenade' while representing NSW. And Wendell Sailor playing that cornerpost didgeridoo with the Indigenous All Stars.
Undeniably, though, the greatest post-try celebration belongs to former St George Illawarra rake Mark Riddell, who in 2002 jumped the fence to applaud his own try.
"I've had it in me for a while," Riddell told reporters afterwards.
"I had to compose myself once I jumped because I thought I was going arse over head."
As a Wests Tigers fan growing up, Sivo used to hitch a ride into Nadi to watch hero Benji Marshall play, paying 50c to whichever family was willing to show the game on TV.
Today, however, his uncle owns one of three houses in their village with cable.
And on game day, every one of them overflows with up to 70 people keen to not only watch the winger play, but celebrate with The Lighthouse.
Originally published as Eels winger Maika Sivo opens up on touching try-scoring tribute
‘I’ve moved on’: Addo-Carr opens up on Bulldogs exit, Eels switch
Parramatta star recruit Josh Addo-Carr has opened up about his dramatic Bulldogs exit, revealing he still feels a deep connection to the Belmore club but has ‘moved on’.
Player poll video: NRL stars reveal biggest threat to Panthers dynasty
The NRL’s biggest stars have revealed their biggest threat to the premiership in 2025, while the four Las Vegas-bound representatives selected the teammate most likely to go missing in Sin City. WATCH THE VIDEO.