Wests Tigers centre Kevin Naiqama will take to the field for the 100th time this Saturday afternoon when he comes up against his old club, the Newcastle Knights at Scully Park
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It's a fact that the Fijian international is certainly well aware of, but still amazed at.
"For me, it's honestly such a great milestone," he admitted.
"I never thought I would ever play 100 games. I feel very grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to play weekly in the NRL, so to play 100 games is something that I'm honestly a bit shocked at and still pinching myself when I turn up to training.
"It's a great milestone for myself, but it doesn't change anything about how we prepare this week.
"There's a task ahead and that's the Newcastle Knights. We've done our homework on them and they're a really good side so we're going to have to again be on our game this week to get the two points.”
Seventy seven of Naiqama’s games have come for the Wests Tigers are debuting for the Knights in 2010.
"It's just about doing my job — nothing too special from me," Naiqama added with a laugh.
"It's something that has been working really well for the team and collectively working hard for each other. The results are starting to show and working hard is the only way these results will go in our favour."
The Tigers will welcome back co-captain Elijah Taylor for the clash. Taylor hasn’t played since picking up a hamstring injury back in Round 2, and his inclusion is a big one following the omission of fellow co-captain Chris Lawrence.
Lawrence picked up a minor injury in the early stages of last week's win over the Sea Eagles. With Taylor back on deck, Matt Eisenhuth pushes in to the front row in place of the injured Russell Packer, with Josh Aloiai moving to the left back row position in place of Lawrence as the Tigers look to record their sixth win of the season and make it three wins in a row against the Novacastrians.
