21 Jul 2022

Giants sign Fiji star-man Naiqama

Huddersfield Giants have landed a major coup, signing former Newcastle, St Helens and West Tigers utility back Kevin Naiqama for the 2023 and 2024 Season. The Fiji International has a wealth of experience, winning three Super League titles in his time in St Helens, winning the Harry Sunderland Trophy in his final Betfred Super League Grand Final in 2021, his final appearance for the club. 

He has also made 20 appearances for Fiji, appearing in the 2013 & 2017 Rugby League World Cup for the Bati, leading his nation to their first ever Semi-Final appearance in 2017, and can play in a number of positions including Full-Back, Winger, Centre and Stand-Off. 

Huddersfield Giants Head Coach, Ian Watson said: "I think he's a huge signing for us. You look at his performances when he's played for St Helens and when he's been playing for the Roosters this year, he always competes and plays well. 

"The big thing for me is Kevin as a person, there are many things he can add to this group like educating our younger players, imparting that experience and teaching them how to do things the right way. Kevin always does things the right way. 

"Everyone you speak to has a high opinion of him; the way he trains, the way he looks after himself, his mentality and the way he goes into games. That'll be a big lift for us to get to where we want to be - challenging for Challenge Cup Finals and Grand Finals. 

"He loves to play Rugby and he's a great guy who'll add to our environment. He wants to enjoy the last few years of his career; influence a side and we just want him to be Kevin: to be himself.

"He's a top-quality player who'll be involved in our squad, the beauty of him is that he's not just a centre - he's played Full-Back, Wing, Centre and even at 6 at Fiji. The level of performance he demands from himself is an eight out of ten, week in, week out. He's not coming here to replace anyone, he's here to help the quality of our team." 

Kevin Naiqama said: "There's a couple of factors; Ian Watson, the coach that he is and the ability he has and the team that the Giants are building. When I was playing at St Helens, it felt like we were playing ourselves when we played teams coached by Ian Watson in terms of the style and in playing the long game. 

"When he was at Salford, he took them to the Grand Final and the following year took them to a Challenge Cup Final, he did a great job and he's doing a great job at Huddersfield taking them to a Challenge Cup Final. There's an exciting journey ahead for Huddersfield Giants. I'm hoping to add value to the team and set up the success that we're hoping to achieve.

"It's really exciting to be joining the Giants: Huddersfield have come up this year more than any other year. There's no surprise to that with Ian Watson and the group of players that are there, they're building something really special, and I hope to be a valuable part of it."

To hear more from Kevin Naiqama, head to GiantsTV to hear from our new signing in a full, feature length interview.

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