The Kaiviti Silktails and Melbourne Storm will honour one of Fiji Rugby League’s finest modern-day players when the two clubs contest the inaugural Tui Kamikamica Bowl at Churchill Park, Lautoka, on Saturday, 29 August.
The match will mark the beginning of a perpetual Bowl between the Silktails and Storm, named in honour of recently retired Melbourne Storm forward and Fiji Bati captain Tui Kamikamica.
The Tui Kamikamica Bowl will be contested whenever the Kaiviti Silktails and Melbourne Storm meet, ensuring Kamikamica’s contribution to rugby league in Fiji and Australia, and the pathway he represents for aspiring Fijian players, is recognised for generations to come.
Kamikamica recently announced his immediate retirement from rugby league on medical grounds, bringing to a close an outstanding career that included 142 NRL appearances for Melbourne Storm and 23 Test matches for the Fiji Bati.
Storm Player #181, Kamikamica made his NRL debut in Round 5 of the 2017 season and went on to become an integral member of one of the NRL’s most successful clubs.
He was part of Melbourne Storm’s 2017 and 2020 Premiership-winning squads, played in 15 NRL Finals matches, including the 2024 and 2025 NRL Grand Finals, and was named Storm’s Most Improved Player in 2019.
His decade of service to Melbourne was further recognised in 2026 when he was inducted as Melbourne Storm Life Member #44.
Kamikamica’s journey began in Fiji before he moved to Australia in 2013, initially joining Parramatta’s Under-20s program. Following a brief period in rugby union, he continued his development with the Sunshine Coast Falcons before joining Melbourne Storm in 2016.
He would ultimately become one of the NRL’s most respected Fijian players and, in 2023, was appointed captain of the Fiji Bati.
Kamikamica said having his name attached to the perpetual fixture between the Silktails and Storm was particularly meaningful for both himself and his family.
“It is an honour for me and my family to be named for the Bowl games between the Silktails and Storm this week and for all future games,” Kamikamica said.
“I truly appreciate all the love and support and I am looking forward to coming over for the game.”
Kaiviti Silktails CEO Stephen Driscoll, who developed the club’s Bowl Match concept to recognise legendary Fijian players associated with opposing clubs, said Kamikamica was an ideal person to be honoured through the Storm fixture.
“I watched Tui’s journey from when he first arrived from Fiji, playing in the NYC competition with the Eels and then developing through the Queensland Cup with the Sunshine Coast,” Driscoll said.
“I also had the pleasure of working with him through various Fiji Bati campaigns I was involved in, so I have been able to see first-hand not only his development as a footballer, but the person and leader he became.”
“To see him go on from playing secondary school rugby here in Fiji to becoming an NRL Premiership winner, a Melbourne Storm Life Member and captain of the Fiji Bati is an incredible achievement.”
“To now have Tui join the list of legends we honour as part of our annual Bowl Matches is so fitting. His rugby league journey truly represents what this club is all about and why our Chairman, Petero Civoniceva, founded the Kaiviti Silktails.”
“Our young players need to be able to look at someone like Tui and understand that the journey from the school grounds and villages of Fiji to the highest levels of the NRL is possible.”
Kaiviti Silktails founder and Chairman Petero Civoniceva said Kamikamica’s career embodied the pathway the Silktails was established to create for young Fijian players.
“
As a former Fiji Bati captain, it has been an honour watching Tui’s career unfold. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with Tui as part of various Fiji Bati campaigns, and he epitomises everything that is good about Fijians,” said Civoniceva, the 300-game NRL Hall of Fame player.
“As the founder and Chairman of the Kaiviti Silktails, Tui’s rugby league journey truly represents why I founded this club and what this club can ultimately lead to for a young Fijian from the village.”
“For a young player in Fiji to be able to see the journey Tui has taken, from Fiji to the NRL, winning Premierships and ultimately captaining his country, shows them what is possible.”
“To have this game named after Tui is just so fitting for him and his family. His name and his journey will now become part of this fixture for years to come, and that is something we are extremely proud of.”
Kamikamica’s retirement brings to an end a remarkable playing career, but his legacy remains significant on both sides of the Pacific.
A respected leader on and off the field, his rise from Fiji to 142 NRL games, two Premiership-winning campaigns and the captaincy of his country provides a powerful example of the pathway the Kaiviti Silktails continues to build for Fiji’s next generation.
The inaugural Tui Kamikamica Bowl will be played as part of the NSW Jersey Flegg Cup at Churchill Park, Lautoka, on Saturday, 29 August 2026, with kick-off at 11:00am Fiji Time / 9:00am AEST.
TUI KAMIKAMICA – CAREER
- 142 Melbourne Storm NRL appearances
- Melbourne Storm Player #181
- Melbourne Storm Life Member #44
- 23 Test appearances for Fiji Bati
- Fiji Bati Captain from 2023
- Member of Melbourne Storm’s 2017 Premiership-winning squad
- Member of Melbourne Storm’s 2020 Premiership-winning squad
- 15 NRL Finals appearances
- 2024 NRL Grand Finalist
- 2025 NRL Grand Finalist
- Melbourne Storm Most Improved Player – 2019
MATCH DETAILS
Tui Kamikamica Bowl
Kaiviti Silktails v Melbourne Storm
Saturday, 29 August 2026
Churchill Park, Lautoka
Kick-off: 11:00am FJT / 9:00am AEST
