Viliame Kikau may have proven a frightening proposition for opposition NRL defences last year, but the Penrith weapon admits holding a few fears himself.
Kikau came through unscathed in his season debut against the Wests Tigers last week, having recovered from a knee injury suffered in a pre-season trial.
The second-rower was pencilled in for limited minutes but surprised himself and the coaching staff when he was called on early following an injury to Frank Winterstein.
“I was actually surprised in myself how I went on the weekend. I played the whole game when I went in from the seventh minute,” Kikau said.
“I got a few positive feedback from the trainers as well, they were surprised how I went after missing obviously five weeks.
“I was just happy to get through the game but lungs were definitely burning. After my first carry I was looking for a sub. I survived the game, which is good.”
Ahead of Friday’s match against Gold Coast, Kikau has vowed to up his game.
The Fijian powerhouse emerged as one of the game’s most destructive forwards with a breakout season last year that included 104 tackle breaks and 1357 post-contact metres.
However he did it while being “scared” of veteran playmaker James Maloney.
“I think we’re all different, me personally it was a bit hard to talk there,” Kikau said.
“Last year I had heaps of respect for Jimmy. I was scared to tell him how I want the ball and what lines I’m running. Now I know he’s a joker so I can just say whatever to him.”
New coach Ivan Cleary has demanded the 24-year-old own his left edge, which has been revamped with Nathan Cleary and Dean Whare switching flanks from the right side.
“He told me to get some ownership on the edge there. Obviously last year was my first proper year in the NRL,” Kikau said.
“I was just a bit quiet on the edge and I wasn’t really communicating well with the halves on my edge. This year he told me to take some ownership and get that communication.”