'My second home': Why Sivo won't play against Eels

Maika Sivo has declared he could never play against Parramatta as the Fijian superstar prepares to finalise a move to the Super League after the Pacific Championships.

Sivo, who hopes to farewell CommBank Stadium with the Bati in the promotion-relegation play-off against the third-placed Pacific Cup team for a spot in the top tier of next year’s tournament, has been granted a release by the Eels.

The 31-year-old is expected to reunite with former Parramatta coach Brad Arthur at Leeds Rhinos, but the transfer has not yet been completed.

While Sivo’s focus is on Saturday night’s must-win clash with the Cook Islands at HFC Stadium, the star winger took time after Fiji training on Thursday to reflect on his time with Parramatta and said he could never play for another NRL club.

“That's my second home away from home. I’ll always remember that place from the bottom of my heart,” Sivo said.

“My kids were born there, as Eels, and all I know is Eels my whole footy career and I have some good memories there.

I promised myself I would never go against my team. I want to be a one club man.

During his six seasons at Parramatta, Sivo scored 104 tries in 115 matches and became a cult hero with Eels fans, who chanted his name whenever he got the ball.

Asked to name his fondest memory while playing for Parramatta, the 31-year-old said he loved playing in front of the fans at CommBank Stadium.

“There are a few [highlights],” he said. “My debut would be we up there, mum and dad coming to watch the game for the first time in 2019, and the crowd.

“They're the ones who we play for so seeing the crowd every game, mum and dad, and my debut would be the main ones.”

Sivo’s parents were on hand at HFC Stadium last weekend to watch him play in the 22-10 loss to Papua New Guinea and will again travel to Suva for Saturday night’s match against the Cook Islands.

“Mum and dad, and all the close family, drove a few hours to the game,” he said.

“They've made who I am, I wouldn't be here without them, so mum and dad would be my biggest inspiration.

“Representing my family is a big thing for me. All Fijians around the world, and all the Pacific Islanders, love representing their families, so for me that's a big thing, especially here at home, playing in front of our home crowd.

"That's what I love about it. Rugby league in general is just about putting a smile to the kid's faces.”

If the Bati win, they will then have to wait on the result of the November 3 match in Port Moresby between the Kumuls and Cook Islands to know whether they travel to Sydney, or their tournament is over.

“The Cook Islands are a good team and an experienced team so we need to be at our best,” Sivo said.

“The focus this week is on ourselves. My goal is more work and being consistent for the whole 80 minutes.”