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“You may see the boys actually get pleasure from it and I get pleasure from that he hasn’t modified. I simply really feel like he’s a very nice communicator. He understands, he listens and he simply is aware of the way to talk and make you, not solely a greater participant, however a greater particular person as effectively.”
Whereas Ciraldo hasn’t modified, the identical can’t be stated for famous person five-eighth Matt Burton, who received a premiership on the Panthers in 2021 alongside Kikau on the left fringe of Ivan Cleary’s staff.
Viliame Kikau and Matt Burton have fun throughout their time collectively on the Panthers.Credit score:Getty
The softly-spoken Burton is starting to seek out his voice on the Bulldogs, not too long ago rewarded with a mammoth five-year deal because the face of the Canterbury revolution.
“He was on my left edge again at Penrith and he was all the time quiet,” Kikau stated of the 22-year-old NSW consultant.
“A change of function and a change of place, I’ve seen an enormous distinction in him. He’s a greater communicator now. When he talks the boys hear. He’s a freak of a participant. He’s listener. He listens quite a bit. It’s simply the following step for him now, taking that management function and having a voice within the staff.”
It’s been virtually 14 months since Kikau was sprung on a CCTV digicam posing for a photograph with former Canterbury coach Trent Barrett and normal supervisor Phil Gould at Canterbury Leagues Membership.
Kikau at St Gregory’s Faculty for Canterbury’s preseason camp.Credit score:Flavio Brancaleone, The Sydney Morning Herald
He formally donned the blue and white for the primary time final week and was rapidly introduced in control with the historical past of the jersey he will probably be carrying.
“I didn’t actually know a lot about this membership till I first received in,” Kikau stated.
“Simply listening to the historical past of this membership from the followers and the members, it’s loopy. It’s an enormous membership and it runs a good distance again in historical past.
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“Once I first walked in I used to be telling all of the boys that it felt like the primary day at a brand new college attempting to get to know everybody.
“I wished to return again early, get my health again up and get to know the boys. I’ve been doing a whole lot of coaching on holidays, nevertheless it doesn’t really feel the identical as coaching with the staff.
“For me personally, I’m simply attempting to earn the gamers’ belief. If I can do this every thing else will handle itself.”
The Bulldogs final performed finals soccer in 2016. The six-year drought is the topic of nice angst amongst Canterbury followers, who’re determined for fulfillment.
“I do know it,” Kikau stated of the Bulldogs’ followers lengthy wait.
“The gamers realize it, too.”
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