Sivo to sign $1.5m contract
The NRL’s newest cult figure flyer Maiko Sivo is set to ink an upgraded three-year contract with Parramatta which will earn him a tick under AU$1 million (FJ$1.5m) in the next three seasons. The latest Fijian flyer to take the NRL by storm, Sivo orchestrated one of the tries of the season against the Warriors with a bumping, fending, hurdling 50m run before sending Brad Takairangi over with a basketball-style pass of the Steeden.
The Eels winger currently leads the NRL in terms of tries scored and linebreaks, crossing the line on 14 occasions and making 18 line breaks in 17 appearances for Parramatta.
On a minimum wage contract worth AU$72,500 (FJ$108,000) plus AU$3000 (FJ$4473) for every NRL match played, Sivo has developed into one of the best value-for-money finds of the season.
The Eels flyer also enjoys a wonderful backstory in terms of his pathway to the NRL, scouted playing rugby union in Fiji and convinced to try his luck in Australia with bush rugby league team the Gundagai Tigers in group nine.
From there Sivo landed lower grade contracts with St Mary’s and Mounties before winning a reserve grade premiership in 2017 with the Panthers. The Eels and then identified him as a potential replacement for Semi Radradra and the rest is history.
The Eels flyer is contracted again with Parramatta on a minimum wage deal for next year but the club is in the process of upgrading his current terms and then extending the contract until the end of 2022.
For Sivo, 25, earning almost AU$1m (FJ$1.5m) in the next three seasons playing rugby league in the NRL is a magnificent achievement considering the Eels winger only began playing the game four years ago.