Surprise destination ‘whispered’ for off-contract Huddersfield Giants star Kevin Naiqama

After Huddersfield Giants confirmed that ex-St Helens centre Kevin Naiqama would leave the club, a surprise destination has been reported.

Naiqama was one of several players that Huddersfield Giants bid farewell to as they concluded their season on Thursday night with a win over Castleford Tigers.

The former St Helens centre departs Huddersfield after two seasons, during which he has been impressive, scoring a try every other game with 26 in his 52 games for the Giants.

That was similar to his strike rate at St Helens where he scored just over one every other game with 39 in 77, but it appears his time in England has now come to an end.

Huddersfield Giants confirmed that Naiqama would leave the club alongside Esan Marsters (Salford Red Devils), Olly Russell (Wakefield Trinity) and fellow players whose futures remain uncertain, Seb Ikahihifo, Adam Milner and Chris Hill.

It has now been suggested that the off-contract 35-year-old will return down under.

Huddersfield Giants man set to leave England

Naiqama would be 36 by the time the new Super League season comes around so it’s no surprise to hear that he isn’t likely to have a Super League deal on the table.

After five years in England, he looks set to return down under per Barry Toohey of The Newcastle Herald with Toohey taking to X, formerly Twitter, to give insight on a ‘whisper’ that he had heard.

Toohey responded to a fan question about the possibility that St Helens man Sione Mata’utia could be on his way back, something that is confusing in its own right after Mata’utia claimed to be leaving England before talk of a U-turn lately.

“Not sure what Sione is going to do,” was Toohey’s response, but he would then add: “Did hear a whisper Kevin Naiqama, who has been at Huddersfield (Giants), was considering a second tier deal to return to the Knights to mentor the young blokes in reggies next year.”

That would see Naiqama link up with former Huddersfield Giants teammate Will Pryce who has starred for the Newcastle Knights reserves, even earning a few shots in the first-team.

Naiqama’s future is one to keep an eye on.

Not sure what Sione is going to do but did hear a whisper Kevin Naiqama, who has been at Huddersfield, was considering a second tier deal to return to the Knights to mentor the young blokes in reggies next year. https://t.co/cnUtJQGkhx

— Barry Toohey (@BarryToohey) September 23, 2024