Penrith Panthers forward Viliame Kikau has credited the family he stayed with in Townsville for two years for setting him on the right path after arriving in Australia from Fiji as a shy teenager with a sketchy grasp of the English language.
Kikau arrived in Australia in November 2013 to join the Cowboys Under 20 side.
He says it was hard for him to even speak English but he is thankful that the Egans family took care of him.
The 26-year-old said he would not have been where he is now without Cheree and her beautiful family.
Kikau will play in his second NRL Grand final appearance tomorrow.
He was part of the team that lost 26-20 in last year's final against Melbourne Storm.
Kikau also made the 2021 NRL Team of the Year.
Fijian teammate, Api Koroisau is also appearing for his second Grand final for the Panthers.
The NRL Grand final between the Panthers and the Rabbitohs is at 8.30pm tomorrow.
