Michael Jennings opens up on Maika Sivo’s driving struggles

Maika Sivo has been in Australia since 2015 but still hasn’t got a driver’s licence and Parramatta centre Micheal Jennings experienced why first hand … in a golf buggy during an Eels bonding session.

Maika Sivo’s driving isn’t a strong point for the Fijian. Picture: Matt King

• Reborn Parra’s blue and gold brotherhood
• Sivo doesn’t need rules to crush defenders

Parramatta’s Maika Sivo plays rugby league like he drives, with no brakes.

His edge partner Michael Jennings would know. Jennings told The Daily Telegraph he feared for his life as Sivo’s passenger in a golf buggy on Sunday afternoon.

It reminded Jennings of how Sivo runs the ball, straight ahead and with no regard for any roadblocks or opposition players in front of him.

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Maika Sivo’s driving isn’t a strong point for the Fijian. Picture: Matt King

It also explained why the tackle-breaking powerhouse still doesn’t have a NSW driver’s licence, even though he’s been in Australia since 2015.

“I don’t think he’ll ever get his licence. I drove with him in the golf buggy and I would not give him his licence after riding with him in the buggy,” Jennings laughed.

“I was actually scared for my life. He doesn’t know how to use the brakes … like he plays footy … no brakes, just goes forward.”

After disposing of Manly 32-16 on Friday night, Eels players gathered for a bonding session on Sunday. They played golf and had a team meeting in preparation for the finals series.

In 2017, the Eels finished fourth but were bundled out after two straight losses to Melbourne and North Queensland.

Jennings conceded his side didn’t take the right approach into the first game and the meeting was a chance to ensure his teammates were in the right head space leading into Sunday’s elimination final against Brisbane at Bankwest Stadium.

“We had a bit of time away on Sunday, we played a bit of golf as a team, had a team meeting,” he said.

Manly's Tom Trbojevic, Parramatta's Michael Jennings Roosters and Angus Crichton during the Kayo NRL finals launch in Rosebery. Picture: Brett Costello

“We just spoke about being more prepared for what’s to come. Two years ago we were in the same position going into the finals and we just treated it as another week. But it’s a different competition now so we had to change it up a bit, get together and talk about what to expect.”

Sivo’s questionable driving wasn’t the only shock on Sunday’s team outing.

Jennings said that behemoth forward Junior Paulo, who weighs 123kg, wasn’t out of place on the golf course.

“I talk myself up, that I’m Tiger Woods, but I’m horrible,” Jennings said.

“Junior Paulo is really good if you can actually believe that … Mitch Moses and Blake Ferguson play every week.”

Sivo has quickly amassed a cult following, just like former Eels winger and fellow Fijian powerhouse Semi Radradra did before him.

Michael Jennings believes the Eels have learned from the mistakes made in the 2017 finals series.

A packed Bankwest Stadium erupted into a “Sivo” chant last Friday night and for Jennings it was a throwback to when Parramatta fans would chant Semi’s name during his time at the club.

“They’ve been chanting Sivo for weeks now. They used to scream out Semi but now it’s Sivo,” he said.

“I think at first he [Sivo] was overwhelmed with all the attention. Going from a village in Fiji, farming, to playing NRL and having 20,000 people screaming your name would be overwhelming for him. But I think he’s enjoying every step along the way.”

Jennings, who has partnered elite wingers like Radradra, Josh Mansour, Jarryd Hayne and Brett Morris on the edge, said Sivo was one of the most “naturally gifted” teammates he had played alongside.

“He’s still learning the games, the rules, which is scary,” Jennings said. “Once he tweaks those little things, his game will go to another level. He’ll get better every year.”

Originally published as Michael Jennings opens up on Maika Sivo’s driving struggles