Warriors have to tame Kikau to beat Penrith
SYDNEY: Containing Penrith secondrower Viliame Kikau will be essential if the Warriors are to win their opening National Rugby league playoff match in Sydney tonight.
Kikau has been one of the competition’s leading attackers this season, picking up from from last year’s World Cup, when he terrorised the Kiwis in Fiji’s famous 42 quarterfinal win.
Kikau also made life difficult for the Warriors during the Panthers’ 30point thumping of the Warriors at Penrith in July, although the Warriors bounced back in Auckland, winning 3616 at Mount Smart
Stadium.
Warriors secondrower Tohu Harris concedes they will be stretched to contain Kikau.
‘‘He certainly is one of the biggest challenges in the comp and he hasn’t just shown it in flashes throughout the season,’’ Harris said.
‘‘He’s done it consistently throughout the season — tearing sides apart
and showing how dangerous he is.’’
Warriors coach Stephen Kearney rates former Fiji schools rugby union representative Kikau as one of several Panthers threats.
Maloney’s halves combination with NSW Origin teammate Nathan Cleary is potentially destructive if the Warriors get on the back foot.
‘‘Kikau’s obviously a very dangerous threat with the footy. Blake outside him’s very dangerous also,’’ Kearney said.
‘‘They’ve got a couple of pretty dangerous halves.
‘‘We know we’ve got a game plan which, if we execute, we give ourselves a great opportunity.’’ — AAP