Moana Pasifika halfback Jonathan Taumateine.
Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz
Four debutants will start for Fijian Drua against Moana Pasifika in the opening match of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific competition in Lautoka.
Former French international Virimi Vakatawa, who was included in the Drua squad two weekends ago while in pre-season games commitment in Tauraga, has been named at centre for the Fijian side.
He is joined by former Wallaby halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, former Crusaders and Chiefs flyer Manasa Mataele and Flying Fijians lock forward Temo Mayanavanua for Saturday’s clash at Churchill Park.
North Habrour hooker Penaia Cakobau has also been named on the bench for the clash.
The match will be the second time in the Super Rugby history that the two teams will meet in the opening round.
When the two teams first met at the same venue in 2023, Fiji held on to win 36-34. But Moana Pasifika got the better of their Fijian counterparts in 2024 in Australia and at North Harbour last year.
It makes this weekend’s clash an exciting one.
While Drua head coach Glen Jackson has named what he terms “the fittest squad” to date for the clash, his opponent Fa’alogo Tana Umaga has also picked a match-day 23 that is expected to give it to the Drua from the opening whistle.
Umaga has named former All Black Nganui Laumape in his starting XV also, the player lining up against Vakatawa in what should be a mouth-watering clash in midfield.
Vakatawa is renowned for his raw power, wicked sidestep, and silky offloading game. Laumape, also known as the “Tongan pocket rocket” is also a tough player to handle, with the ball in hand.
The 2026 Fijian Drua squad ahead of their season opener against Moana Pasifika in Lautoka on Saturday.
Photo: Fijian Drua
Jackson confident
The Drua mentor said the midfield battle is definitely one that can turn the game for either side.
He reckons it will be a tough one, as both players are renowned for their power and skills.
“An ex All Black against the ex-French International, both super experienced at their trade, it will be a hell of a matchup to watch those two go for it,” Jackson said.
Jackson is confident the match-day 23 will deliver in front of their fans at a ground they have now called ‘the fortress’.
Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson. 7 June 2024
Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The side had two pre-season matches, against the Chiefs in Tauranga two weekends ago and against a local Skipper Cup Selection in Lautoka last weekend.
“I think terms of our squad this is the fittest they’ve ever been in the five years that we’ve been professional,” he said.
“We’ve trained them really hard in the off season. It was an important pre-season.
“Going to New Zealand was really important as a club, and it was a good game against the Chiefs … and then the importance of the Battle of Fiji against the Skipper Cup team team, which I think was, was a real success for Fiji.”
Jackson has no doubt that Moana Pasifika will bring it hard and rough against the Drua, expecting nothing less than a fiery forward battle upfront to lay the foundation for both teams.
“We know what Moana brings, big, heavy pack, probably one of the best in the competition when you get into the 22,” he said.
“So, in terms of that we’ve gone for is as an experienced tight five. In terms of our understanding of what we want to do, you know, start hard, start strong, and then finish fast.”
Not wanting to look too far ahead into the competition, Jackson said it is important for the Drua to get early points from their matches and keep the consistency throughout, something they badly lacked in last season.
“We started well last year and just missed out on close losses, that could have been easily wins,” he added.
Jackson has named Haereiti Hetet and Mesake Doge at props upfront, with the frontrow completed by Zuriel Togiatama, who played second fiddle to former captain Tevita Ikanivere, who is now playing club rugby in Japan.
One of the surprises of the selection was the naming of former Wallaby halfback Fines-Leleiwasa, starting ahead of Simione Kuruvoli and co-captain Frank Lomani.
Lomani has been named on the bench, with Kuruvoli not featuring in the match-day squad.
Also missing from the match-day 23 is flyhalf Isaiah Washington-Ravula, with Kemu Valetini getting the nod to start at 10, and taking over the kicking duties.
Moana Pasifika fullback William Havili trains with the side before heading to Fiji for Saturday’s clash against the Fijian Drua.
Photo: Moana Pasifika
Havili’s 50th game
Meanwhile, Moana Pasifika will have a lot to play for on the day as well.
‘Ikale Tahi fullback and team pioneer William Havili will be playing his 50th Super Rugby game – the first player to achieve the feat for the franchise.
He is one of the four players who have been with the club since its foundation season in 2022.
He said he is looking forward to the game hoping Moana can put in a good shift and get a win.
Moana will be captained by Miracle Faiilagi for the first time, with 2025 dominant performers Semisi Paea and Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa. completing the back row for the side.
Former All Black Laumape pairs the hard runing Lalomilo Lalomilo in midfled.
Injuries to Augustine Pulu (calf), Jimmy Tupou (elbow), Niko Jones (foot), Ola Tauelangi (back), Tupou Afungia (neck), Paula Latu (knee) and Tevita Latu (knee) have also meant the players will not be part of the Moana Pasifika lineups for a few weeks.
The 2026 Super Rugby Pacific campaign kicks-off on Friday night, with the Highlanders hosting the Crusaders at 7:05pm on Dunedin, before the Waratahs face the Reds in Sydney at 9:35pm.
On Saturday, the Blues host the Chiefs at 7:05pm, while Western Force is scheuled to battle the Brumbies at 9:35pm.
Fijian Drua v Moana Pasifika
Kick-off: 4.35pm New Zealand time
Venue: Churchill Park, Lautoka
Drua: 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Temo Mayanavanua (co-captain), 6. Mesake Vocevoce, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 10. Kemu Valetini, 11. Ponipate Loganimasi, 12. Virimi Vakatawa, 13. Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 14. Manasa Mataele, 15. Ilaisa Droasese; Bench – 16. Penaia Cakobau, 17. Peni Ravai, 18. Samuela Tawake, 19. Joseva Tamani, 20. Isoa Tuwai, 21. Frank Lomani (co-captain), 22. Isikeli Rabitu, 23. Epeli Momo
Moana: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Chris Apoua, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Allan Craig, 6. Miracle Faiilagi (captain), 7. Semisi Paea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Patrick Pellegrini, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Tevita Ofa, 15. William Havili; Bench – 16. Samiuela Moli, 17. Abraham Pole, 18. Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 19. Ofa Tauatevalu, 20. Dominic Ropeti, 21. Siaosi Nginingini, 22. Denzel Samoa, 23. Glen Vaihu