Kevin Naiqama, Kane Evans to lead Fiji into battle against Toa Samoa

The Fiji Bati team has seven players from its 2013 Rugby League world cup team that took down Toa Samoa in the playoffs.

Two of the players are playmaker Kevin Naiqama and Kane Evans.

West Tigers centre Naiqama has been representing Fiji in all the seven years of his rugby league career starting in 2009.

This weekend he will be leading the Fiji Bati onto the field against Toa Samoa in Apia.

“I was born in Australia, but mum and dad are both full Fijian and being from Fijian descent is a privilege for me and I value that,” he said.

“It isn’t just about the money for me. I’m here to represent my country and I take pride in that as well,” he said.

The 27 year old is one of the most capped players in the Fijian squad to take on Samoa this weekend.

Naiqama is currently playing for the West Tigers.

In his early years he played for the New Castle Knights and then switched to Penrith Panthers in 2014.

Sydney Roosters prop Kane Evans will play alongside Naiqama on game day.

Evans has featured for the Roosters since his rugby league debut in 2014.

“It’s a good thing for all the Pacific brothers to come together and every time Pacific nations play each other it’s an exciting game” said Evans.

“To be given a position to represent my country is an honour for me. I think it’s roughly 46% players in the NRL that are from Pacific descent,” he said.

“There’s definitely a big market in the game for us players and I think that’s only going to get better for us because we have Nigel Vagana (former New Zealand professional rugby league player) doing a massive job for us making sure our voices are heard,” he added.

Evans has played for Fiji for three consecutive years.

The Fijian team hit the field for practice this morning and will go for another full run after the rest of the players arrive in Apia this afternoon.



Photo: Kevin Naiqama (left), Kane Evans (right)

Loop Samoa