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Sale Sharks continue recruitment drive with World Cup winner Canakaivata
By Josh Raisey
Sale Sharks have signed Fiji back-row Elia Canakaivata ahead of next season on a two-year deal.
The 29-year-old will arrive from the Fijian Drua after the current Super Rugby Pacific campaign. The deal was announced just hours after Sale confirmed the signing of his club and countryman Ponipate Loganimasi.
The former Fiji Sevens international, who won the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2022 before switching to the 15-man format, was crowned Fiji’s Players’ Player of the Year in 2025.
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Canakaivata, a naval officer, has already acquainted himself with some of his future team-mates having lined up against current Sale starts Luke Cowan-Dickie and Asher Opoku-Fordjour when Fiji faced England in November.
The forward has a season of Super Rugby to contend with before he focuses on live in the Gallagher PREM, and has started at No.8 in the opening two matches of the season for the Drua.
“I’m excited about coming to play for a club like Sale Sharks in the PREM,” Canakaivata said. “It’s a great competition and a club with a lot of history and it’s a great opportunity for me to experience something different.
“I know some of the players from playing against them for Fiji. I can’t wait to play with Tom Curry because he’s one of the best players in the world in my position.
“I love the physical side of the game so I think I will suit the style of Sale Sharks. I know Bill Mata from the national team so I’m looking forward to playing against him.”
Salre director of rugby Alex Sanderson added: “Elia does a lot of work that maybe goes under the radar. He has fewer Hollywood moments but he’s a serious player on both sides of the ball.
“He loves tackling and using his physicality in defence, but he’s a really good ball carrier too. Because he came through the Sevens circuit, his work-rate is fantastic and I think he’ll make a really big impact here.
“His wife and Ponipate’s wife are good friends and they’re coming as two families to support each other on and off the field.”
