Panthers forward Viliame Kikau cleared for Warriors clash after visa dramas

PENRITH won’t be without barnstorming forward Viliame Kikau for their trip across the Tasman this weekend after a clerical error that looked set to ground the Fijian was rectified.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — AUGUST 18: Viliame Kikau of the Panthers is sent to the sin bin during the round 23 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Newcastle Knights at Panthers Stadium on August 18, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)

BILLY has been freed.

On Tuesday Penrith secured rampaging back-rower Viliame ‘Billy’ Kikau a visa enabling him to travel to Auckland for Friday night’s important match against the New Zealand Warriors.

It comes as new Panthers coach Cameron Ciraldo made good on his promise to make significant changes to his underperforming side.

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Kikau could miss the crucial match. AAP Image/Darren Pateman.

The Daily Telegraph revealed that Kikau faced being banned from returning to Australia on a Fijian passport if he travelled to New Zealand.

Giant forward Kikau, who has applied for Australian residency, was only rated a 50-50 chance of travelling.

But after five months of attempting to resolve the issue with Australia’s Department of Immigration, Penrith secured a via, allowing Kikau to travel.

His residency is still pending. Once his residency is approved, the visa would then be redundant.

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Kikau, 23, will now leave Sydney with Penrith teammates for New Zealand on Wednesday morning.

Penrith confirmed that the immigration drama had been resolved.

Ciraldo meanwhile made a series of sweeping changes from the team beaten by Newcastle last weekend.

Tyrone Peachey has been switched to five-eighthi, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been named at fullback, Christian Crichton will return to the wing with Tyrone May dropping back to the interchange bench.

Kikau ran into a similar drama when he played for Fiji in last year’s World Cup. AAP Image/SNPA, Ross Setford.

Wayde Egan, 21, will make his starting debut with Sione Katoa dropped. Interchange forward Kaide Ells also drops out with Trent Merrin to start at prop.

Cirlado has already shown he will be coach unafraid to make some tough calls.

Kikau’s inclusion will however boost the Panthers, who need to beat the Warriors to retain hopes of a top four finish.

Panthers general manager of football, Phil Gould, took to social media:

Viliame Kikau has his new Visa and will travel with the team to New Zealand this week. Thank you to all those who assisted in this process. Greatly appreciated. Wonderful result for Viliame and the Panthers.

— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) August 21, 2018

The Daily Telegraph revealed Kikau’s management ticked the wrong box on a government visa form when their client was representing Fiji at last year’s Rugby League World Cup in New Zealand.

The error meant travel restrictions were placed on the rampaging Panthers forward — until Tuesday