The father of Fiji-born NRL sensation Viliame Kikau says his son deserves to be where he is right now.
The Panthers second-rower will make his grand final debut against the Melbourne Storm in Sydney tonight.
Viliame Kikau. Photo: Penrithpanthers.com.au
Kikau was also named in the Team of the Year during last week's prestigious Dally M Awards.
The family is unable to be at the game due to Covid-19 travel restrictions but they will be cheering him on from their Suva home.
Ratu Ralulu Kikau said he was proud of his 25 year old son's achievements.
"I'm so touched and so proud. He has brought us together and strengthened the kinship ties and those relationships have been stronger.
"He deserves everything he has because he has worked very hard," said Ratu Ralulu.
The proud dad said there were no boundaries to what one could achieve and he hoped his son's game would only get better.
Kikau is the youngest of seven children.
In a video message posted on the NRL website, 'Team Kikau' said they were behind the "baby of the family".
Kikau's sister, Dabuli, said she knew he had worked very hard to be where he is now.
"For us as a family, from our humble beginnings to see him play in the NRL Grand Final for the first time is indeed a very proud moment for all of us."
The family said they hoped many Fijians would join Panthers' fans across the world to cheer their team on in Sydney on Sunday night.
Fiji Bati warriors on display in grand final
Viliame Kikau is one of four Fiji internationals named in the Grand Final squads.
The 25-year-old Panthers' second-rower returns from a three-week suspension and has been dubbed a potential 'gamebreaker'.
Kikau rejoins hooker Api Koroisau who got the Man of the Match award in the 20-16 win over South Sydney Rabbitohs in the preliminary finals two weeks ago.
Fiji Bati, Apisai Koroisau Photo: Photosport
For Melbourne, winger Suliasi Vunivalu has cemented his spot after scoring in last week's convincing win over the Canberra Raiders.
Prop Tui Kamikamica has been under an injury cloud of late but was named in the squad although most probably will be a non-playing reserve.
For Vunivalu, this is his last NRL game. He is switching to rugby union next year having signed a big contract with the Queensland Reds.
The Fiji National Rugby League said the four Fijians featuring in the NRL grand final was a great achievement for the sport in Fiji as the Bati prepare for next year's World Cup.
In a statement, the FNRL said the Fijians' performance this weekend would no doubt lift the Bati squad.
The four players have really shown their class and they deserve to play in the grand final, the FNRL said.
Fij-born winger Suliasi Vunivalu is tackled during the 2016 NRL Grand Final. Photo: PHOTOSPORT