How Jope Kikau inspires his younger brother and the Prime Minister’s XIII
Australia’s Prime Minister’s XIII side has been inspired by the courage of Jope Kikau, older brother of Penrith backrower and Fiji star Viliame.
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He is the Fijian brother of an NRL champion who inspired Australia’s Prime Minister’s XIII.
Jope Kikau, older brother of Penrith star Billy, has been a fixture at the Aussie team’s preparations in Fiji this week and attended Friday’s game against the Fijian Prome Minister’s XIII in Suva.
And it is Jope’s courageous fight to walk again which amazed the Australian players.
Jope, 28, suffered a spinal infection — and had to have an epidural — in 2010 while in Hamilton, New Zealand, on a rugby union scholarship and has been confined to a wheelchair since.
His movement has improved by around 60 per cent in the past 10 years, increasing hopes he will one day walk again.
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“I have to keep going with physio and keep the faith,” he said.
Despite his injury, Jope – who has a Panthers backpack on the back of his wheelchair — has been a force of positivity around the squad this week.
PM’s XIII coach Mal Meninga stopped to have a chat with Jope at training on Thursday. All the players met him the day before.
Jope was invited into camp by coaching staff member Craig Catterick, medical and rehab co-ordinator for the Panthers.
“Billy idolises his brother – Jope is his mentor,” Catterick said. “He believes Jope was a better player than Billy himself.
“Every week, Billy plays for his brother because his brother never got the opportunity. Billy is inspired by him, as were the Australian team.
“Although they live in different counties, the pair speak all the time.
“Through the year, Billy and I were talking about when we got here to Suva, we would bring Jope across to see the team. It means a lot to him to be around the side.”
Billy is Sydney training with Fiji’s Nines squad ahead of next weekend’s tournament at Bankwest Stadium.
The Kikau family live in Fiji, in the town of Nausori, around 45 minutes form Suva.
And Jope, with a cheeky giggle, was happy to reveal a home truth about his little brother.
“Growing up he was small and was also mummy’s boy because he was the youngest. There were seven kids – four sisters and three boys,” Jope said.
“When Vili comes home, his favourite food is curried chicken. Mum would say, ‘Okay, for sure, I will cook it.’ He always gets what he wants.
“It was a privilege to come and see the boys, to hang around them. I love rugby league and I never miss watching games every week, watching the boys.
“Viliame has come a long way; where he is now is unbelievable. Seeing him as a kid and where he is now, I am very proud of him. He is only 24 years old. I don’t know when he will finish growing – it seems like he has grown further every time I see him.”
Jope is yet to watch Kikau play live in a match – something he hopes to change soon.
“Hopefully I can come to Australia and watch him play. But he does come home (in the off-season) and he does miss home at times.” Jope said.
“Viki hasn’t come home this off season because he is preparing for the Nines (with Fiji). My parents are going over next Tuesday.”