The simple lifestyle driving Parramatta flyer Maika Sivo to great heights

Maika Sivo is enjoying a fantastic debut season in the NRL with Parramatta but the Fijian flyer hasn’t forgotten his simple roots back home in the Pacific.

• WHAT’S THE BUZZ: Saint, sinner, shoosh

• BACK: Simona makes his rugby league return

Maika Sivo is at home on top of the NRL tryscorers list but he’s more at home on the floor of his bedroom.

Growing up in a small village in Fiji, Sivo spent his nights sleeping on the ground.

The simplistic approach became a daily ritual due to tradition and the financial struggles his parents faced.

Now Sivo is an NRL player you’d expect him to live it up in a lavish bed but the Parramatta fan favourite still prefers to sleep on the floor.

“I guess I’m just used to it,” said Sivo, who lives with his uncle and his four sons in the western Sydney suburb of Bonnyrigg.

“I put a blanket on the floor or if there is a rug there I’ll sleep on it.

“I always slept on the floor growing up in my village - that was just life for us in Fiji.”

Sivo has quickly developed into one of the most damaging finishers in the NRL.

He has scored 12 tries this season to stand alongside Warriors flyer Ken Maumalo on top of the top try scorers list.

Sivo AAP Image/Craig Golding) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

And the Fijian’s success has enabled him to buy his parents a home.

“It should be finished soon,” he said.

“I send money home every two weeks.

“That is just my way of giving back for everything they’ve done for me over the years.

“It was tough growing up.

“We had around 800 families living in our village and we used to plant our own food and we’d go fishing as well.

“Dad also had to change his job a few times but it is all worth it.

“Now all I want to do is pay my parents back for what they did for me.”

Sivo is flying this season but don’t expect the success to go to the Eels wingers head.

The 25-year-old knows he only started playing league a few years ago and he still has plenty to learn.

Sivo has fond memories of his league journey beginning with the Gundagai Tigers in the Group 9 Riverina based competition.

Sivo is the equal leading tryscorer in the league. Picture by Brett Costello.

“When I was playing at Gundagai I was earning $150 a game,” he said.

“I’ve done it the hard way but it’s all good now and the sacrifice is all worth it.”

The significance of Sivo’s Gundagai grounding is why he wants to return to the club when his time in the NRL is over.

“Hopefully in a couple of years’ time I can go back out there and play,” he said.

“They love their footy.

“I went back to Gundagai recently and gave some training gear out to the community.

“The kids were telling me how hardly any NRL players come and give back to the community. I want to change that.

“I’m lucky to be playing in the NRL.

“If I wasn’t a footy player I’d be a farmer like I was when I was home in Fiji, so to be playing first grade at Parramatta – I’m blessed.”