Kikau’s ‘beast mode’ surprises Cleary
Fijian Bati forward to join Bulldogs next season for $4.9m
Viliame Kikau has spelled out exactly how much bang the Bulldogs are getting for their AU$3.2 million (FJ$4.9m) from next season, tearing his future teammates to pieces and keeping them nailed to the foot of the NRL ladder.
Kikau was at his destructive best as Canterbury briefly threatened an upset before Penrith prevailed 30-18 with almost AU$4 million (FJ$6.1m) in NSW Origin talent watching from the stands.
The Fijian favourite joins the Bulldogs next season on a lucrative AU$800,000 (FJ$1.23m)a-year pay packet until the end of 2026, making unwanted headlines over summer when a photo of him in Canterbury colours alongside now former coach Trent Barrett and Phil Gould was leaked.
In front of 16,906 Penrith fans, the blue and white was effectively a red flag to the bullocking back-rower. His first-half try ensured a dominant opening translated to a 22-6 halftime lead.
That well-deserved reward of Kikau’s came via a familiar outside-in line from close range.
But much of his best work on Friday came from distance via sleight of hand.
The 27-year-old sent several teammates into the back field as Canterbury focused on containing his own 116-kilo frame.
When the Bulldogs did get the ball, Kikau buried anyone who came near him. Jake Averillo who was named at centre but played fullback in place of the dumped Matt Dufty - was an unfortunate regular target for a man with 25 kilos on him.
Sign of maturity
“I’m not sure, maybe it’s maturity, I think he’s probably trying to make the best of this season,” coach Ivan Cleary said by way of an explanation for Kikau’s career-best form of late.
“But he’s put together a stretch of games that is easily the best, most consistent since he’s been here. He’s one of our better players every week.”
Spurned NSW speedster Josh Addo-Carr offered rare respite with a double in his first outing since being dropped by the Blues.
“You wouldn’t have known he missed out [on Origin] during the week,” captain Josh Jackson said of Addo-Carr.
“I know he was a bit disappointed at the start of the week but if he keeps performing like that he’s going to put pressure on the guys that are in the Blues.”
Fellow marquee buy Matt Burton put the pill on a platter for both his tries, the second memorably so with a cross-field kick from his own 30-metre line for the Bulldogs flyer to streak away.
When Burton sparked a lifeless set with a simple crash ball for a try of his own, the Bulldogs had reduced a 22-6 halftime deficit to just four points.
Blues back-up hooker Api Koroisau soon put that to bed though with a delicate grubber for Jaeman Salmon to score in the 63rd minute.
While Kikau caused havoc out wide, Penrith’s back-up playmakers ensured he had plenty to work with.
Journeyman halfback Sean O’Sullivan continues to look every bit the NRL regular whenever he pulls on Nathan Cleary’s No.7 jersey.
A pair of pinpoint kicks in the first few minutes set the tone for both his night off the boot and Penrith’s opening raid.
Rookie halves partner Kurt Falls went one better with a cross-field dink and try-assist with one of his first touches in the NRL, former Bulldog Chris Smith on the end of it.
Falls finished with five goals from six attempts and presumably one of the giant cut-outs of his own head that was waved with vigour all night by a gaggle of family and friends.
O’Sullivan, meanwhile, could have easily had more than two try-assists by full-time, the NRL bunker calling back late tries to Salmon and Izack Tago as the Bulldogs’ brief revival proved exactly that.
Results: Titans 6-32 Cowboys, Panthers 30-18 Bulldogs, Sea Eagles 44-12 Warriors.