Having Viliame Kikau on the Vodafone Fiji Bati side will be a major boost for the hosts.

This was the comment of Papua New Guinea (PNG) Kumuls captain Rhyse Martin.

Kikau missed last year’s Pacific Bowl Championship in PNG and Martin is wary of his return.

“What he’s (Kikau) done this year in the National Rugby League (NRL) and for the last few years he’s been one, if not the best back rower in the competition,” he said.

“He’s going to add a lot and he’s such a passionate Fijian that the boys will get around him and he’s going to be a massive threat for the Fiji team.”

The 31-year-old said they are excited are looking forward to tonight’s clash at the HFC Bank Stadium.

While Kikau has likened the Kumuls to a ton of bricks, Martin said the two sides have equally skilful players.

“He’s not wrong.

“But if we don’t hold the ball, you know, it’s going to be a hard day for us as well because Fijian boys are just as tough and as solid.

“There’s so much strike in that Fiji team, their middles are powerful, their halves and the centers and their wingers.

Martin added: “The wingers probably the best wingers in the game for a long time.”

He said that playing against the Bati at their home ground would be special and he understands that they would fight to avenge their loss in last year’s final.

Martin indicated that maintaining possession will be crucial.

“It’s going to be being an enjoyable game, but we just know how strong and how passionate the Fiji team is, to play them here on their home soil will be something to be that I’ll take in and it would be nice to be a part of.

“If you don’t complete, against Fiji, it’s going to be a tough day, definitely just making sure that we’re holding the ball and getting through our sets.

“We know that either side, if in this weather that if you don’t hold the ball, it’s going to be a hard day in the office and you probably won’t be able to hold onto that pressure and well, eventually crack.

“I think just making sure we’re sticking to the game plan, end in our sets well, not given the ball away too cheaply inside our own half and sticking to what we’ve been practicing all week and just a big focus on completion.”

Strong squads

“We’ve had a few injuries throughout the year, we got some boys coming in that are just as good.

“Everyone’s picked their strongest squads and it’s going to be a solid game.”

Feedback: sereanan.salalo@fijisun.com.fj