Salford’s Ben Nakubuwai hopes to give Fiji pal Kevin Naiqama reason to cry again
St Helens star is known for crying during the national anthem before Test matches - now Red Devils prop hopes to give him reason to see a similar reaction with a surprise victory
BEN NAKUBUWAI hopes to give Kevin Naiqama further reason to well up with tears after leaving him stunned when he did it for Fiji.
The Salford prop and the St Helens centre are team-mates for the Pacific island and skipper Naiqama often cries during the national anthem before a game.
Now they are on opposite sides of the fence in Super League, the Red Devils front-rower would not mind a similar response at the result.
Nakubuwai said: “When I see him like that, I just feel the passion he has for playing for his country.
“It’s a massive honour for any Fijian to say they’ve played for their country but on top of that he’s representing his family as he was born in Australia.
“As a captain, Kevin leads by example in everything he does and he gives 100 per cent – he inspires the rest of his team-mates.
“When I was in camp with him at the 2017 World Cup, the last time I saw him, he was professional in the way he went about his business.
“He showed how it should be done and he was humble as well, he didn’t think he was better than someone else and he definitely has the potential to carve up the rest of Super League.”
Ian Watson’s Salford have surprised many by winning three of their opening four matches when many tipped them to be relegated.
And Nakubuwai - whose pal is out after sustaining an eye injury last Friday, meaning concussion protocol prevents him from playing - admits he is showing what he can really do after a year of getting used to the game over here after signing from NRL side Gold Coast Titans.
The 22-year-old added: “I get given small goals every week by Ian and I try to make them, no matter the result. There’s a better feeling in our camp this year.
“There’s a never say die attitude now and we were told to not really worry about things on the outside, just concentrate on what we can do.”
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