Olympic medallist signs with Drua after two-try debut for Flying Fijians

Paris Olympics silver medallist Ponipate Loganimasi has signed with the Fijian Drua for next year’s Super Rugby Pacific season. Loganimasi showcased impressive skills during the 2024 HSBC SVNS Series, and the Drua are now “grateful” to welcome him to their club.

Loganimasi had reportedly impressed at the 37^th Fiji Bitter Nawaka 7s in February before being called into the national sevens squad. The 26-year-old was up to the task on the Series, and was later named in Team Fiji’s star-studded squad for the Olympic Games.

Fiji were the two-time defending Olympic men’s champions going into the sevens tournament, and they backed up that status with their improved style of play. They made the gold medal match but an Antoine Dupont masterclass saw France stand in first on the Olympic podium.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Fijian Drua (@fijian_drua_official)

Loganimasi’s breakout year continued during World Rugby’s Pacific Nations Cup on the back of Fiji’s silver medal at Stade de France. Loganimasi debuted for the Flying Fijians in the Final against Eddie Jones’ Japan, and the outside back didn’t disappoint.

Loganimasi came on in the 56^th minute as a replacement for left winger Ilaisa Droasse. With silverware on the line, Loganimasi’s sensational debut ensured the PNC title would go the way of the Flying Fijians, with the speedster crossing for a well-worked double.

Now, a new opportunity awaits with the former Fiji sevens ace penning a deal with the Drua for the 2025 season. With the Fijians finishing seventh on the ladder at the end of this year’s regular season, there’s a lot to be excited about as the Drua continue to build.

“First of all I want to thank the Lord for another opportunity. I know it’s not a small opportunity, it’s a big one. A lot of kids in Fiji, they are dreaming of this,” Loganimasi said in a video that was shared on the Fijian Drua’s social media channels.

“To be given a chance and an opportunity, I’m so blessed so I want to thank the Almighty God and all my family at home and all my friends out there, so I want to thank them for giving me another chance, and the management for trusting me.

“Can’t wait to be with the boys.

“Was just telling jokes with (Iosefo) Masi, he was telling me, ‘What if you come and play with us in the Drua?’ I was like, ‘Man, I want to.’ Then he was like, ‘Okay, we’ll see’.”

With former head coach Mick Byrne leaving the Drua to take up the same role with the national team, the Super Rugby club needed to find a new person for the role. There was no better suitor for the position than Glen Jackson, who has made history by taking on the job.

Jackson is the first person to referee, play and coach in Super Rugby. The new Zealander was played 60 matches for the Chiefs as a flyhalf over a five-year stint, and Jackson was also widely regarded as one of the southern hemisphere’s leading referees.

Under former coach Byrne, Jackson has served as an assistant coach of the Drua since 2022, but took up the new head coaching role in May of this year. After signing Loganimasi, Jackson spoke about how excited he is for the upcoming season.

“I think it means a lot for Fijian Drua,” Jackson said.

“It just shows the quality of players that we’re signing. I think, obviously, Loganimasi’s debut at 15s with the national team was unbelievable. We know how good he is on the sevens circuit and it just shows the quality of the young man to sign with our club, we’re very grateful.

“I think he’s gonna be an extremely positive new recruit for our club.”