Maika Sivo

Maika Sivo (born 3 October 1993) is a Fijian rugby league footballer who plays as a winger for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL, and Fiji at international level.

Maika Sivo
Personal information
Born (1993-10-03) 3 October 1993
Nadi, Fiji
Height186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight105 kg (16 st 7 lb)
Playing information
PositionWing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019– Parramatta Eels 32 26 0 0 104
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019 Fiji 2 2 0 0 8
2019 Fiji 9s 3 1 0 0 4
As of 20 October 2019
Source: [1]

Background

Sivo grew up in Nadi, Fiji.

He played his junior rugby league for the Gundagai Tigers.

Sivo started his rugby league career playing for the Gundagai Tigers before playing for St. Mary's in the Ron Massey Cup. Sivo then moved to the Mounties signing with their NSW Cup team in 2016, scoring 35 tries. The Cessnock Goannas had an opportunity early on to sign Sivo, but failed to see his superstar potential.

Sivo signed with the Penrith Panthers until the end of the 2018 season, scoring 12 tries in his first season with the club. In 2018, Sivo signed a two-year deal with the Parramatta Eels.

Playing career

2019

Sivo made his NRL debut in Round 1 of the 2019 NRL season against the Penrith Panthers.[2] Sivo scored his first NRL try against the Sydney Roosters in round 3 of the 2019 NRL season, scoring two tries in a losing effort.[3]

In Round 6 2019 against Wests Tigers, Sivo scored a try as Parramatta won the match 51–6 in the opening NRL match to be played at the new Western Sydney Stadium.[4] In Round 8 2019 against St George, Sivo scored 2 tries for Parramatta, one of which was a length of the field try. Parramatta would go on to win the match 32-18 after being down 14-0 earlier in the game.[5]

In Round 13 2019 against Cronulla-Sutherland, Sivo scored 2 tries in a losing effort as Parramatta were defeated 42–22.[6] In Round 19 2019 against the New Zealand Warriors, Sivo famously palmed off New Zealand player Blake Ayshford on his way to the try line. Fox Sports commentator Andrew Voss said of Sivo's fend on Ayshford “If you can get a charge for palming blokes in the sternum, Sivo’s looking at 10 weeks,”. Sivo later scored a try in a 24–22 victory.[7]

In round 25 against Manly-Warringah, Sivo scored a hat-trick as Parramatta won the match 32–16 at the Western Sydney Stadium. The victory saw Parramatta finish 5th on the table at the end of the 2019 regular season.[8]

Sivo finished the 2019 NRL season with 20 tries in his rookie season, one behind Israel Folau's record of 21 tries in a rookie NRL season.[9][10]

In the elimination final against Brisbane, Sivo scored two tries as Parramatta won the match 58–0 at the new Western Sydney Stadium. The victory was the biggest finals win in history, eclipsing Newtown's 55–7 victory over St George in 1944. The match was also Parramatta's biggest victory over Brisbane and Brisbane's worst ever loss since entering the competition in 1988.[11]

Controversy

On 28 December 2019, it was reported that Sivo had been arrested whilst on holiday visiting family in Fiji. Sivo was later charged with one count of indecent annoyance. It was alleged that Sivo harassed a female bartender at a pool party, tugging on her skirt in order to get her attention. Sivo was granted bail at Nadi Magistrate's Court but was banned from leaving Fiji and was ordered to reappear at court on 7 January 2020.

The Parramatta club released a statement saying "The club takes these incidents seriously and will be monitoring the situation closely, As with any legal matter, it is important that we follow due process, and the club will review all information available regarding the alleged incident. We are currently providing support to Maika and his family. The club has informed the NRL integrity unit and will be making no further comment at this time".[12][13]

On 6 January 2020, Sivo had his bail conditions altered so he could return to Australia for Parramatta training.[14] On 9 March 2020, Sivo was cleared to play by the NRL after it was ruled that he was not subject to the no-fault stand down policy.[15]

References
  1. Rugby League Project
  2. "Round 1 NRL team lists". NRL.com. 12 March 2019.
  3. "Eels v Roosters - Round 3, 2019 - Match Centre". National Rugby League. Retrieved 2019-03-30.
  4. "Eels vs Wests Tigers - NRL match centre". Wide World of Sports. 22 April 2019.
  5. "Revealed: Parramatta Eels cult hero being paid the wage of a bricky's labourer". www.foxsports.com.au.
  6. "Cronulla Sharks' Bronson Xerri burns Parramatta Eels in NRL rout". Stuff.co.nz.
  7. "Semi who? 'Superhuman' Eels winger Maika Sivo monsters Warrior Blake Ayshford". Fox Sports.
  8. "Sivo bags a hat-trick as Eels leapfrog Manly into fifth spot". NRL.
  9. "NRL Stats - NRL.com". National Rugby League. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
  10. "NRL rookies: Israel Folau, Mitchell Pearce the stars of 2007 debutants". Fox Sports. 2015-12-06. Retrieved 2019-09-07.
  11. "Parramatta Eels eliminate Brisbane Broncos from the NRL Finals with a thumping 58-0 win". ABC.
  12. "Eels star Maika Sivo fronts court in traditional dress, barred from leaving Fiji over indecency charge". Fox Sports.
  13. "Parramatta Eels winger Maika Sivo arrested in Fiji". NZ Herald.
  14. "Sivo back on track for Eels, injured stars lead pre-season returns". www.nrl.com.
  15. "Eels star Maika Sivo to play in Round 1 despite Fiji court case". www.foxsports.com.au.
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