Naiqama > St Helens Confirmed.2019

Kevin Naiqama to depart Wests Tigers at season’s end

Wests Tigers have today confirmed that Kevin Naiqama will depart the club at the end of the season.

Naiqama, who was off-contract at the end of 2018, will depart Wests Tigers to take up a multi-year deal in the English Super League.

The Fijian international joined Wests Tigers for the 2015 NRL season and has taken to the field for the club 79 times since then, scoring 31 tries.

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe thanked Naiqama for his ongoing commitment to the club.

“Kevin has been a key part of our team since the day he joined Wests Tigers and I thank him for everything he has done both on and off the field,” said Pascoe. “This new multi-year deal is a great opportunity for Kevin to extend his playing career, and we wish him the best of luck in the English Super League.”

Wests Tigers General Manager Football Kelly Egan echoed Pascoe’s comments.

“Kevin has been an important member of the playing group and a great role model while at the club,” said Egan. “We look forward to having Kevin continue those contributions both on and off the field for the remainder of 2018\. He has worked hard and deserves this Super League opportunity to continue his career beyond 2018.”
 
Whatever this deal is, looks like it's not happening until the end of the year.
 
The fact that they make a point of stating here that it wont happen until the end of the season means there is another club involved in this deal.

Kevs release is dependent on this other club(Sharks id say) coming to the party.

We are playing the game, read between the lines. . .
 
@ said:
The fact that they make a point of stating here that it wont happen until the end of the season means there is another club involved in this deal.

Kevs release is dependent on this other club(Sharks id say) coming to the party.

We are playing the game, read between the lines. . .
Click to expand...

😛ray: 😛ray: 😛ray:
 
@ said:
The fact that they make a point of stating here that it wont happen until the end of the season means there is another club involved in this deal.

Kevs release is dependent on this other club(Sharks id say) coming to the party.

We are playing the game, read between the lines. . .
Click to expand...

Maybe it just a case of Kevin is under contract till the end of 2018..

Anyhow Kevvy has always put in for us Club and team 1st with some great highlights along the way…Good Luck to him he should do well over there...
 
@ said:
@ said:
The fact that they make a point of stating here that it wont happen until the end of the season means there is another club involved in this deal.

Kevs release is dependent on this other club(Sharks id say) coming to the party.

We are playing the game, read between the lines. . .

**Maybe it just a case of Kevin is under contract till the end of 2018..**

Anyhow Kevvy has always put in for us Club and team 1st with some great highlights along the way…Good Luck to him he should do well over there...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Seems a lost concept at times. Every player we get linked to, someone will always ask ''is it for this year?''. Patience is a lost art.
 
Good for Kev. Has shut up the majority of the forum over the last 12 months having become a solid hand. Great clubman.
 
**<big>Saints have swooped to sign Fijian flyer Kevin Naiqama from Wests Tigers for the next three years.</big>**

The experienced 29-year-old centre has scored 47 tries in 102 NRL appearances and is currently Captain of Fiji.

He will link up with his new club for the 2019 season.

Saints Head Coach Justin Holbrook said: “Kevin is a great coup for the club and we’re really looking forward to having him on board next season.

“He has a wealth of experience in the NRL and, as current captain of Fiji, will bring leadership to our side.

“He’s lightning quick too, with great hands, and can finish from all over the park.”

Naiqama played his junior rugby for Arncliffe Scots before being signed by the St. George Illawarra Dragons.

He then moved to Newcastle Knights, and played alongside his brother Wes, until he signed for Penrith Panthers in 2014.

In-between, he starred for Fiji in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup – a feat he repeated in 2017 as Captain when he took his international tally to 14 caps.

Naiqama joined Wests Tigers in 2015 and has posted an impressive try scoring record of 31 tries in 79 matches for the club to date.

Kevin stated: “I am really looking forward to getting over to St Helens for the next three years. I love the fact the club is family orientated and the fact they are successful. They are one of the top teams who are always competing and that is appealing to me.

“The thought of winning a Super League Grand Final or Challenge Cup would be unreal and I feel I can do that with the Saints and the squad they have.

“I have a lot to offer; I am a versatile player who can play on the left or right and I still feel I am learning too. I don’t feel I have reached the pinnacle of my football yet and St Helens can help me do that. I feel they can bring more football out of me defensively and with the ball in hand.

“I feel I have made a great choice to join the club – now my focus is on this season with the Tigers. They have been a massive contributor to how I am as a player and I will be giving them my best as we look to reach the semis and beyond.

“I want to leave here on a good note but I am also looking forward to getting over to St Helens for the next three years and hopefully helping them achieve further success.”

Saints Chairman Eamonn McManus added: “Kevin represents another top class addition to an already quick, skilful and exciting Saints’ backline. Super League will also benefit greatly from his signing.

“He also adds leadership and experience at the highest of levels as we look further to improve our already very strong squad for 2019.

“This is a good time to be a Saints player and a Saints fan.”

https://www.saintsrlfc.com/2018/05/22/saints-secure-naiqama/
 
@ said:
@ said:
@ said:
The fact that they make a point of stating here that it wont happen until the end of the season means there is another club involved in this deal.

Kevs release is dependent on this other club(Sharks id say) coming to the party.

We are playing the game, read between the lines. . .

**Maybe it just a case of Kevin is under contract till the end of 2018..**

Anyhow Kevvy has always put in for us Club and team 1st with some great highlights along the way…Good Luck to him he should do well over there...

Seems a lost concept at times. Every player we get linked to, someone will always ask ''is it for this year?''. Patience is a lost art.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

I think youll find that pretty much every Wests Tigers supporter has patience. Its been bred into us.
 
@ said:
Good for Kev. Has shut up the majority of the forum over the last 12 months having become a solid hand. Great clubman.
Click to expand...

Has been great and thought about this a few times this season.
 
And there we go.

My take on it is that we were trying to squeeze a player out of the deal (Barba or maybe Holmes) and it didnt fly and therefore…OK at the end of his contract
 
Saints confirm capture of Fiji captain Naiqama

May 22, 2018 Matthew Shaw

St Helens have completed the signing of Fiji captain Kevin Naiqama on a three-year deal.

As revealed on TotalRL last week, the Wests Tigers centre has agreed to join the Super League high flyers ahead of the 2019 season.

Renowned for his pace and creative style of play, Naiqama has made 102 NRL appearances, scoring 47 tries.

He captained Fiji at the 2017 World Cup.

“Kevin is a great coup for the club and we’re really looking forward to having him on board next season,” said Saints head coach Justin Holbrook.

“He has a wealth of experience in the NRL and, as current captain of Fiji, will bring leadership to our side.

“He’s lightning quick too, with great hands, and can finish from all over the park.”

Naiqama added: “I am really looking forward to getting over to St Helens for the next three years. I love the fact the club is family orientated and the fact they are successful. They are one of the top teams who are always competing and that is appealing to me.

“The thought of winning a Super League Grand Final or Challenge Cup would be unreal and I feel I can do that with the Saints and the squad they have.

“I have a lot to offer; I am a versatile player who can play on the left or right and I still feel I am learning too. I don’t feel I have reached the pinnacle of my football yet and St Helens can help me do that. I feel they can bring more football out of me defensively and with the ball in hand.

“I feel I have made a great choice to join the club – now my focus is on this season with the Tigers. They have been a massive contributor to how I am as a player and I will be giving them my best as we look to reach the semis and beyond.

“I want to leave here on a good note but I am also looking forward to getting over to St Helens for the next three years and hopefully helping them achieve further success

And the cards will fall
 
@ said:
And there we go.

My take on it is that we were trying to squeeze a player out of the deal (Barba or maybe Holmes) and it didnt fly and therefore…OK at the end of his contract
Click to expand...

Agreed.

its a bit like Clearys call on the Moses deal, he couldnt get the result he wanted so he took his ball and went home.

its now up to the Sharks or whoever it might be to talk turkey.

if they dont Cleary is on to the next man. . . .
 
Loved every minute of Kev playing for us!, a Rocks & Diamond type of player but this typifies us, enjoy the wide opened spaces of the Super League Kev, we'll miss you!.
 
Kev! - what can I say. Love how you played the game, how you always put in for us. Thanks for all you have given to the Tigers, on and off the field.

You have had your detractors - but not me. Thanks for the memories.

Hope you get another crack before you go.
 
He will destroy them over there. Rose to every challenge here and leaves with everyone wishing him well (I think). Will miss frozone and his commitment to Wests Tigers
 
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