Gun Bulldogs back-rower Viliame Kikau has signed a two-year contract extension with Canterbury in a huge boost to the club in its bid to end a two-decade premiership drought.
Kikau was due to come off contract at the end of 2026 but the Fijian powerhouse is now locked in until the end of 2028, the Bulldogs announced in a statement on Tuesday.
Kikau, 30, would have made for a terrific addition to any club, especially the Perth Bears in their problematic roster build for their inaugural NRL season in 2027.
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“I’m very happy to be staying at the Bulldogs,” Kikau said.
“This club has embraced my family and I since day one so it was an easy decision to re-sign.
“I love being part of what we’re building here. We’ve made great progress over the past couple of years, but we want to achieve more — I want to help this club win its next premiership.”
Gun Canterbury back-rower Viliame Kikau. Getty
The Bulldogs have a host of key players contracted beyond 2026 as Phil Gould and Cameron Ciraldo try to lead the club to its first NRL premiership since 2004.
Captain and superstar centre Stephen Crichton is contracted until the end of 2031, while Lachlan Galvin, Bailey Hayward and Jacob Kiraz have all committed until the end of 2028.
Tied to Canterbury until the end of 2027 are Matt Burton, Max King and Jacob Preston.
In Kikau and Preston, the Bulldogs have a superb back-row pairing.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to secure Viliame’s services for another two years,” said Gould, Canterbury’s general manager of football.
“Since arriving at the club, Viliame has been everything we hoped for and more. He’s a genuine leader, a wonderful person and one of the most destructive players in the competition.
“Beyond his on-field performances, Viliame’s work with the Kikau Academy demonstrates his genuine passion for giving back to the game and helping develop the next generation of Fijian talent.
“We’re proud to call Viliame a Bulldog and are excited that he’s with us for the long haul.”
Kikau established himself as one of the most damaging edge forwards in the game during his time at the Panthers, where he played 123 NRL games between 2017 and 2022.
He was a member of Penrith’s 2021 and 2022 premiership-winning teams and joined Canterbury ahead of the 2023 season.
He’s played 54 first-grade games in blue and white.
The Bulldogs will open their 2026 season against the Dragons at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on the first weekend of March.