Penrith rookie Viliame Kikau has revealed how he informed his mother of last week’s NRL debut on her way home from the funeral of his late uncle in Fiji.
Kikau introduced himself to NRL in style during the Panthers’ big win over the Wests Tigers, scoring a try and producing a memorable crunching tackle on James Tedesco.
The towering prop recalled the emotional phone call he made home to his family when Panthers coach Anthony Griffin delivered him the good news.
Kikau made a serious impression in his first NRL match.
The late decision meant his parents were not able to be flown over in time to witness his first run in the big time, however his sister hurried down from Brisbane to be in the crowd.
Kikau says his late uncle Tui had played a major part in his upbringing in his homeland before he joined the North Queensland under‑20s team in 2014.
Kikau has been named to play again for the Panthers this week against the Roosters at 8pm Saturday.
Source: nrl.com
