NRL

Kevin Naiqama shock return draws nearer as target club revealed

by
Callum Walker
November 2, 2021

Three-time Grand Final winner Kevin Naiqama is set to sign a one-year deal with the Sydney Roosters.

That’s according to the Sydney Morning Herald which has reported that the Fijian centre is ready for a one-year swansong after hiring well-known player agent Sam Ayoub in a bid to obtain an NRL deal that will likely take him to the end of his career.

Though the Roosters are in the driving seat, former club Wests Tigers have also shown interest in Naiqama as he gets poised to return to the rugby league field, barely a month after stating his desire to retire.

Following Saints’ 12-10 win over Catalans Dragons after putting in a Harry Sunderland Trophy winning performance, the 32-year-old stated that his career would likely be over.

He said:”I think I will be retiring. If I was carrying on, then I probably be staying here. It was a decision that was not made lightly, but it was the best decision for me and my family.

“All I wanted to do was my job and what I could to help us win.

“I was emotional because of so much. It was my last game as a professional player- that was where the emotion came from. It was a lot to process. I am a very emotional person, and I am not afraid to show it.

“If someone called I would not say no straight away. Woolfy (Kristian Woolf) knows the decision I took was for family, not for rugby. If they did call, I would explore and have a conversation.”

Naiqama joined Saints ahead of the 2019 Super League season and went on to score 33 tries in 65 appearances over a glorious three-year period for the club in which he won three Grand Finals and a Challenge Cup.