Wes Naiqama

Wes Naiqama (born 19 October 1982) is a Fijian Australian former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the London Broncos in the English Championship. He won 14 caps for the Fiji national rugby league team. He primarily played as a and er, but can also fill in at . He is the older brother of St. Helens player and fellow Fiji international, Kevin Naiqama.
Background.
Naiqama was born in Sutherland, New South Wales, Australia.
Playing career.
Early career.
Naiqama played his junior football for the Arncliffe Scots and attended James Cook Boys Technology High School before being signed by the St. George Illawarra Dragons. In 2002, he scored 38 points, 5 tries and 9 goals in a Jersey Flegg game for the Dragons against the North Sydney Bears.
St. George Illawarra Dragons.
In Round 4 of the 2005 NRL season he made his NRL debut for the Dragons against the Canberra Raiders.
Newcastle Knights.
In 2007, Naiqama signed a contract with the Newcastle Knights starting in 2008, to be a part of the new Brian Smith era at the Knights. In 2008, Naiqama regularly started in the centres or at fullback. He was also chosen as the replacement goal kicker after Kurt Gidley. He was frequently used as a bench utility player in 2009 and 2010 before gaining his spot back in the starting team in 2011, playing in career best form as a centre or fullback. In Round 16 of the 2011 season, Naiqama got the chance to captain the Newcastle Knights for the first time after captain Kurt Gidley and vice-captain Jarrod Mullen were both injured at the same time. He again was named captain in Round 17. In June 2011, after career best form, Naiqama re-signed with the Knights for 3-years after rejecting a contract with his former club, the St. George Illawarra Dragons. In 2012, after injuries and form loss, Naiqama was dropped to NSW Cup after Round 9 by new Knights coach Wayne Bennett.
Penrith Panthers.
On 13 July 2012, Naiqama was released from the remaining two years of his contract with the Newcastle Knights and signed a 2-year contract with the Penrith Panthers starting in 2013.
London Broncos.
On 27 August 2014, Naiqama signed a 2-year contract with the London Broncos in the 2015 Kingstone Press Championship.
On 21 December 2015, Naiqama became the captain of London Broncos.
Representative career.
Naiqama made his Fiji debut in 2006. In 2008, Naiqama was named in the Fiji squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
On 3 November 2011, the annual RLIF Awards dinner was held at the Tower of London and Naiqama was named Fiji's Player of the Year.
He was named vice-captain for Fiji's 2013 Rugby League World Cup campaign.
In October 2014, Naiqama captained Fiji in their Hayne/Mannah Cup test match against Lebanon.
Personal life.
In December 2006, Naiqama was arrested but not charged over an alleged assault in Sydney's King Cross.
His relationship with Australian/Fijian pop star Paulini Curuenavuli ended in 2006 with domestic violence speculations, and the singer has admitted to writing a song about the situation and abuse.
On 28 February 2007, Naiqama was convicted by a Sydney court for driving a car while his license was disqualified. The court sentenced Naiqama to serve a maximum of eight months periodic detention, with a non-parole period of four months. This was the fourth time Naiqama had been convicted of such an offence.