'No more second chances': Kikau chasing grand final farewell

Viliame Kikau knows his time at the Panthers is coming to an end but the Fijian international has vowed not to let emotion get the better of him in Saturday night’s Preliminary Final against South Sydney.

Kikau, who is joining the Bulldogs next season, will again be one of Penrith’s key players as the premiers attempt to secure a place in next weekend’s grand final against western Sydney rivals Parramatta.

If they can overcome the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium the Panthers will play in a third consecutive grand final and Kikau is determined to depart with another premiership ring.

“I try not to think about it, but I know that there are no more second chances now,” Kikau said. “I play every game like it is my last so I will just have the same mentality as every other week.”

The star second-rower has become public enemy No.1 with Rabbitohs fans after a video of him singing ‘Glory, Glory’ during last year’s grand final celebrations was posted on social media.

Souths fans also believe that the 14-12 grand final result may have been different if Jai Arrow hadn’t been forced out of the game early following a Kikau tackle that angered the Rabbitohs enforcer.

However, Kikau insists he will shut out the crowd and focus on his role for the Panthers on the right edge.

“It will be a hostile environment, but it is just another game of footy for me,” Kikau said. “I have got to keep my head calm and not get carried away.

“The Rabbitohs have been there a lot of times so they obviously know what it takes to win these big games. They always turn up so we have got to make sure we turn up as well.

“The Penrith Panthers have been really good to not only me but my family so I am really grateful and the biggest way I could give back to them is with another premiership.”

Kikau has been named co-captain of the Fiji Bati team for the upcoming World Cup and he will be joined in England by Rabbitohs winger Taane Milne, who has scored four tries in his last three matches.

Milne can expect to be tested under the high ball by Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary but Kikau said he was also a threat in attack for Souths, whose right side has been as potent as their left edge in recent weeks.

“I played with Taane in the [2017] World Cup, and he has always been a good player,” Kikau said.

“He has gone to a couple of different clubs but he is settled now at the Rabbitohs. He is lighting up their right side, he is killing it, so we have got to be on our game on our left side.

“He will get tested, that is what Nathan has been doing to a lot of wingers this season so no doubt he will do the same on Saturday, but we have got to be on our game in defence on both sides.

“They have been scoring a lot of tries and Taane has been finishing them off. He has been making the most of his opportunities so he is a danger.”