For two years, Michael Jennings used to listen to Semi Radradra sing in Fijian while playing on the wing for Parramatta.
Radradra may have since traded his blue and gold jersey for the claret and white of Bordeaux in the years since but in Maika Sivo, Jennings is back listening to the same Fijian tunes. Sivo has been one of the finds of the season for the Eels.
'He's getting better each week': Michael Jennings (left) says Maika Sivo has only scratched the surface of his potential.Credit:NRL Photos
The 25-year-old hasn't quite emulated the long range, jaw-dropping performances Radradra used to regulalrly pull off before jetting to France but has scored nine tries in 11 appearances this season.
"Hes learning, hes learning quick. Thats the good thing about him," Jennings said.
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"Hes learning each week and hes getting better each week.
"Hes a great player at the moment but he can be a much better player.
"Its good that hes enjoying his footy and hes learning so much. I think hes enjoying his time over in Australia. Im happy for him."
Jennings can see the similarities between Radradra and Sivo, too.
"He has the same feel. Hes from Fiji and they both sing on the wing. They're real similar.
"(Sivo) is all natural – thats all natural, his body.
"He doesnt lift heavy. If he could just turn up and play thats exactly what he would do."
Unfortunately for Sivo, his natural on-field talents haven't quite translated off field.
He has failed his learner driver licence test twice since arriving in Sydney.
That's a blemish which provoked instant laughter from Jennings when asked if he was aware of the repeat failures.
"He's the best. Hes fresh, hes straight from Fiji," Jennings said.
"I wouldnt trust him on the road [laughs]. Its good that he failed his Ls."
Luckily for Sivo and Eels fans alike, a driver's licence isn't required to fire on the field.
Parramatta will need the flying Fijian at his best when they head to the Shire to face Cronulla on Saturday afternoon.
The Sharks will welcome Wade Graham back for the first time this season.
The Cronulla co-captain has not played since suffering an ACL rupture in the qualifying final loss to the Roosters in September last year.
For two years, Michael Jennings used to listen to Semi Radradra sing in Fijian while playing on the wing for Parramatta.
Radradra may have since traded his blue and gold jersey for the claret and white of Bordeaux in the years since but in Maika Sivo, Jennings is back listening to the same Fijian tunes. Sivo has been one of the finds of the season for the Eels.
'He's getting better each week': Michael Jennings (left) says Maika Sivo has only scratched the surface of his potential.Credit:NRL Photos
The 25-year-old hasn't quite emulated the long range, jaw-dropping performances Radradra used to regulalrly pull off before jetting to France but has scored nine tries in 11 appearances this season.
"Hes learning, hes learning quick. Thats the good thing about him," Jennings said.
Advertisement
"Hes learning each week and hes getting better each week.
"Hes a great player at the moment but he can be a much better player.
"Its good that hes enjoying his footy and hes learning so much. I think hes enjoying his time over in Australia. Im happy for him."
Jennings can see the similarities between Radradra and Sivo, too.
"He has the same feel. Hes from Fiji and they both sing on the wing. They're real similar.
"(Sivo) is all natural – thats all natural, his body.
"He doesnt lift heavy. If he could just turn up and play thats exactly what he would do."
Unfortunately for Sivo, his natural on-field talents haven't quite translated off field.
He has failed his learner driver licence test twice since arriving in Sydney.
That's a blemish which provoked instant laughter from Jennings when asked if he was aware of the repeat failures.
"He's the best. Hes fresh, hes straight from Fiji," Jennings said.
"I wouldnt trust him on the road [laughs]. Its good that he failed his Ls."
Luckily for Sivo and Eels fans alike, a driver's licence isn't required to fire on the field.
Parramatta will need the flying Fijian at his best when they head to the Shire to face Cronulla on Saturday afternoon.
The Sharks will welcome Wade Graham back for the first time this season.
The Cronulla co-captain has not played since suffering an ACL rupture in the qualifying final loss to the Roosters in September last year.
