NRL finals 2022: Viliame Kikau holding back the tears as he chases perfect Panthers farewell

Penrith powerhouse Viliame Kikau is fighting his emotions as the realisation his time at the Panthers is almost up, while his teammates admit they are “annoyed” at him leaving the club.

Viliame Kikau during the Penrith Panthers training session at the Panthers Rugby League Academy in Penrith. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Viliame Kikau has spent the entire season trying not to think about leaving Penrith, because in his own words, if he does, “I think I’m going to cry”.

The realisation he would be walking away after seven years at the club, to join Canterbury, came when the full-time siren went two weeks ago against Parramatta in the final game the backrower will ever play as a Panther at Bluebet Stadium.

It hit Kikau hard.

“The last game against Parramatta, I took a really long walk around the stadium, just trying to absorb everything I guess and take it all in. That was a bit emotional for me,” Kikau said.

“I was starting to think it’s finally over.

“I look back at my time and I think ‘far out, it has gone so quick’. I’ve known the boys since they came in and they are my family now.”

Viliame Kikau says he isn’t ready to let go of the Panthers. Picture: Jonathan Ng

And when Kikau lines-up in Saturday night’s preliminary final against South Sydney, he knows those feelings will come gushing out again.

“I always play like it’s my last game but this time it really might be,” he said. “I don’t want to think about it but it is coming. Hopefully I have two more games, another championship. When I think about it I’m going to cry.”

In the sombre moments, Kikau’s teammates lighten the mood by teasing the 27-year-old for swapping a spot in a premiership-winning outfit for the blue and white of the Bulldogs, who have missed the finals six years in a row.

“They mock me about it,” Kikau joked. “Nah, nah, they are just sad to see me go, that’s all.”

While winger Brian To’o has accepted Kikau made the move with his family’s best interest in mind, the winger admitted he was none too pleased to see his teammate join Canterbury.

“I’m still annoyed at him, to be honest, that he’s going,” To’o smirked.

“But I’ll be missing him.

“I don’t think it will hit us that he is going until it really is the end.

“We are happy for him but obviously sad to watch Kiks (Kikau) move on but everyone has their own path, and their own families to look after. I’m really proud of him.”

For skipper Nathan Cleary, the exit of Belmore-bound Kikau and Api Koroisau, who has joined Wests Tigers on a three-year deal, is an added incentive to go back-to-back in 2022.

Viliame Kikau is hoping to leave the Panthers on a premiership-winning note. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“We have always got a lot of motivation no matter what the game is and come the finals series, I don’t think you need any more added motivation. But when people like that leave, it’s sad,” Cleary said.

“It happened last year, we had some guys leave that were an integral part … they’ve been a part of this run over the last three years. We want to win, but it would be even more special to win for them.”

But standing in the way of the reigning premiers on Saturday night will be a South Sydney outfit eager to avenge last year’s grand final loss.

Kikau was at the centre of a social media controversy after a video of him singing South Sydney’s famous Glory Glory song after beating the Bunnies at Suncorp Stadium.

Kikau mocking Souths and singing their song

Stay classy Penrith…this one may just go in the book of feuds #nrlpic.twitter.com/qdWeKxVooJ

— Out of our League (OOOL 🏉) (@OOOL1908) October 6, 2021

While the Fijian powerhouse isn’t worried about the footage being used to fuel the Rabbitohs, he is preparing for an icy reception from the stands at Accor Stadium.

“Nah, not really,” Kikau said when asked if he was worried the video would be used as motivation.

“Every time we have played the Bunnies this year, that video has popped up out of nowhere and I cop it from the Rabbitohs fans.

“We just won the grand final. I was just celebrating, that’s all I can say.”

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Originally published as NRL finals 2022: Viliame Kikau holding back the tears as he chases perfect Panthers farewell