NRL fittest, fastest, strongest 2021: Penrith Panthers yet to hit their physical peak

At 195cm and 116kg, Viliame Kikau is already dominating opposition teams. But the news only gets worse for the Penrith Panthers star’s NRL rivals.

It’s the scariest proposition in the NRL: Penrith behemoth Viliame Kikau is only going to get stronger.

The 26-year-old Fijian powerhouse, who stands at 195cm and weighs 116kg, has been tormenting opposition defences since making his NRL debut in 2017.

And the suffering is set to get worse for defenders.

As part of a special two-day series, News Corp Australia takes you behind the locked doors of NRL gyms to reveal the true pace and power of rugby league’s incredible athletes.

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Viliame Kikau just turned 26 and is yet to reach his physical peak. Picture: Brett Costello

From the young Manly flyer challenging Josh Addo-Carr’s title as the fastest man in the NRL, to the fleet-footed fullback pushing the New Zealand Warriors’ big boppers as the strongest player across the ditch.

Which brings us to Kikau and co.

Hayden Knowles, Penrith’s head of performance and one of the most experienced performance coaches in rugby league having worked with Parramatta, the Roosters and the NSW State of Origin side, said most athletes in power and strength-based sports don’t peak physically until their late 20s.

Kikau and his young Penrith teammates, who have steamrolled rivals over the past 12 months, are potentially years away from their physical peak. Penrith has the third youngest squad in the NRL with an average age of 23.7 years old.

“The scary thing about having such young guys is that their physical development in full-time NRL programs are big massive improvements,” Knowles said.

The NRL's fittest, fastest, strongest players for 2021.

“Eventually you get a bit older and you’re hanging on to that strength. Whereas these guys, every year, they progress in leaps and bounds.

“You don’t reach your strongest until your late 20s, a lot of these guys are just going to get stronger and stronger. There are guys who aren’t even close to hitting their physical peak yet and that’s pretty exciting.”

The raw power in Penrith’s outfit goes beyond the engine room.

Blockbusting back Brian To’o is not only a dynamo on the field but also in the gym.

To’o, who is leading the NRL in tackle busts, post contact and run metres, comes in a close second to rising forward Spencer Leniu (200kg) in the squat rack.

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The 23-year old’s kung fu and dance routines in the sheds have made him a fan favourite but the unique warm ups tell a bigger story.

“If you asked him to dance, he’s the best dancer at the club. He’s got the most rhythm. All that relates to power and footwork. But he also has this competitiveness about him where every time he’s running the ball he is running to break tackles,” Knowles said.

“It’s not surprising Spencer Leniu is one of the strongest … but if you look at To’o at the moment he is making crazy metres and tackle busts and that’s a reflection of how strong he is.

Winger Brian To'o is deceptively strong.

The gun show with Nathan Cleary.

“It’s a team effort, there are people around him that are doing things that allow him to do that but without a doubt, it’s no coincidence that he’s the second strongest in the team.

“His build, his low centre of gravity, his power, athleticism … if you asked him to do a backflip from a standing start, he would do it and land on his feet.

“He’s just a real athlete.”

Elsewhere, Roosters superstar James Tedesco is widely regarded as the No.1 player in the NRL — so it comes as no surprise that he leads the way in all categories for the tri-colours.

“He’s so strong, he doesn’t look it but he is,” Roosters teammate Joseph Manu said of Tedesco.

“There might be a few forwards that are as strong but he’s quickest and fittest as well.”

Tedesco’s NSW State of Origin teammate Clint Gutherson has laid claim to the title of NRL’s fittest, covering the most ground of any player this season: 10.285km in Parramatta’s Round 3 win over Cronulla.