in february 2017, lichaa was selected in canterbury's 2017 nrl auckland nines squad. towards the end of the season, lichaa was struggling with form and was told by des hasler he was unwanted for next season until hasler was terminated as canterbury coach shortly thereafter. lichaa said to fox sports “i got farewelled with three games to go and something clicked in my head and i went out and played my own game, “i think i finished the year showing the type of player that i am, and hopefully come round one, through to round 26 and the finals that’s the player i am, i was lucky enough deano came on board and i had a relationship with him before. i’m really grateful to still be at the club".