Viliame Kikau has revealed that was more nervous watching his Penrith Panthers against South Sydney in the preliminary final more than any game he has played.

Speaking to the Western Weekender, the returning forward who was suspended last weekend, said he almost broke down in tears after being rubbed out of the game.

“I was more nervous for this game than when I’m playing. When the Rabbitohs were attacking our line with five minutes to go, I couldn’t watch – I just had my head down,” Kikau said.

“I was telling my family how nervous I was, and they said: ‘now you know how we feel’. When the game was over, I was so relieved and so happy for the boys.

“When I walked out of the judiciary hearing, which was held at the Panthers Academy over Zoom, I felt like I let the whole team and club down.

“On the car ride home, I nearly cried – just thinking how it was a do-or-die game and we wouldn’t have another chance if we lost.”