on 2 may 2018, lichaa was dropped by new canterbury coach dean pay after struggling for form. on may 6, 2018, lichaa spoke to the media about being dropped saying “you find out who your really good mates are in these tough times, you look at your phone and you see 30 or 40 messages from people, and you know the guys that are there for you at the end of the day, no matter what, and through thick and thin", “you learn a lot about yourself and who your true friends and family are".