Maika Sivo has confirmed he will be leaving the NRL by admitting he could never play against Parramatta Eels. Sivo has been strongly linked with a move to Super League side Leeds Rhinos and those reports gathered pace earlier this week when his release was confirmed by the Eels.
The Fiji international had been with Parramatta since 2019 and in 115 outings for the club, he scored a remarkable 104 tries. He bagged 17 in 12 NRL games last season as well before losing his spot in the side.
However, he is expected to be reunited with Brad Arthur, his former Parramatta boss, at Leeds in 2025. A deal is yet to be completed, but it had been suggested prior to his release that Parramatta would be willing to contribute financially in order to facilitate the move.
Sivo, who is currently with Fiji competing in the Pacific Championships, has been speaking about his time with the Eels and while he never mentioned Leeds Rhinos or Super League, he made it clear that his loyalty to Parramatta ensures he could never play for another outfit in the NRL.
“That’s my second home away from home. I’ll always remember that place from the bottom of my heart,” Sivo told NRL.com. “My kids were born there, as Eels, and all I know is Eels my whole footy career and I have some good memories there.
“I promised myself I would never go against my team. I want to be a one club man.”
He added: “There are a few [highlights]. My debut would be we up there, mum and dad coming to watch the game for the first time in 2019, and the crowd.
“They’re the ones who we play for so seeing the crowd every game, mum and dad, and my debut would be the main ones.”
Fiji lost their opening game of the Pacific Championships as they were beaten 22-10 by Papua New Guinea. However, they have the opportunity to get points on board on Saturday when they take on Cook Islands in Suva.