Pride of the Pacific: Tui doing Fiji proud on grand stage

Storm prop Tui Kamikamica heads into the first grand final of his career on Sunday with a fierce desire to his family and his homeland proud.

The Fijian giant has been coming off the bench since the last time the Storm played the Panthers in Round 24 but will move into the starting side in the decider after the suspension of Nelson Asofa-Solomona. 

As he goes in search of a premiership ring in his eighth season with the club, Kamikamica is ready to embody the 'next man up' mentality on the grand stage.

“For me growing up in Fiji, to be here in this moment is a pretty good achievement,” he said.

“Making my family proud back on the islands. Every time I go out there, I want to make them proud. Not just my family, but as a nation, because I’m Fijian and I play rugby league here at the highest level.” 

The 30-year-old captained his country at last year’s Pacific Championships and looks set to do the same in 2024. 

The Storm have a proud history of Fijian stars donning the purple jersey, from dual premiership winner Suliasi Vunivalu to blockbusting winger Marika Koroibete and 2012 grand final winner Sisa Waqa.

“All those guys I remember. When I came here in 2016, there was a couple of Fijians here,” he said. 

“I’m the only Fijian here at the moment. It’s up there to keep on making my family proud back on the islands and enjoy the moment.” 

His mother and sister will be flying over from Fiji for the occasion. They will join his wife and young son, who were watching on proudly during the Storm’s 48-18 preliminary final win over the Roosters. 

“I saw them during the warm-up,” Kamikamica said.

“He’s my first boy, and he’s named after me. To see him having a smile on his face – he’s only eight months old, but it’s a moment we will cherish forever, when he’s getting old. 

“Now we’re off to the big dance now, so hopefully we get the job done on Sunday.” 

Kamikamica said that he would focus on the simple things in the decider to help his team get over the line. 

“I just want to focus on my role as a forward,” he said.

“It’s a simple game plan, but those effort areas and things like that. 

“Especially for these big games, I’m more focused on the little things – the big things will take care of themselves. 

“I’m just looking forward to the game because this is it. This is what we train for when we come into preseason, it’s what you work hard for during the year, and now we’re finally here. 

“We just have to focus on what we can control, and then we just go from there.”