Sparks set to fly when former teammates face off in finals cauldron

Panthers star Liam Martin has declared there will be fireworks when he comes face to face with Canterbury's Viliame Kikau in Sunday's sudden-death semi-final. 

The duo are among the best back-rowers in the game, with Martin a NSW and Kangaroos star. Kikau, a Fijian international, won two premierships with Penrith before moving to the Bulldogs in 2023.

The former teammates will line up opposite each other on Sunday afternoon, with Martin expecting sparks to fly in front of a crowd that could crack 80,000 fans at Accor Stadium. 

"I loved playing with Kiks," Martin said. "He's a generational freak and one of the best back-rowers of all time. 

"I enjoyed playing with him and learning off him and I also enjoy those matchups against him so I can't wait for the weekend."

Penrith enter Sunday's clash full of momentum after a commanding 24-8 win over the Warriors in Auckland last week. The team's big names are all healthy after coach Ivan Cleary rested the majority of the squad in the final rounds of the regular season. 

The Bulldogs, on the other hand, are battered and bruised after a physical qualifying final against the Storm last Friday. Kikau, Stephen Crichton, Enari Tuala, Jethro Rinakama and Toby Sexton all picked up injuries in the 26-18 loss. 

While Kikau and Sexton are on track to play this weekend, Tuala's season is likely over and Crichton needs his team to keep winning to have any chance of playing again this year. 

Kikau is one of four former Panthers in a Canterbury side coached by ex-Penrith assistant Cameron Ciraldo.

Playing against former teammates has become a regular occurrence for the reigning premiers, with a host of big names squeezed out the door during their four-year title reign. 

Just last week close friends James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota almost came to blows at Go Media Stadium, highlighting what the match meant to both men.

Martin has developed a reputation as a pest who likes to rile up opposition players but said he won't be poking the bear when it comes to Kikau on Sunday afternoon.

"There's a fair size difference," Martin said. "I'll throw everything I can at him and can't wait to face off. 

"He's a pretty tough competitor. I can't remember any specific training battles, I usually avoided him but I won't be this weekend."

Ciraldo's influence and the sheer volume of former Panthers present at Belmore means the two sides play a very similar style of football. 

The Round 17 clash was one of the best games of the regular season, with Nathan Cleary scoring a try off a charge down to lead his side to an 8-6 victory.