The incredible connection in Flying Fijians side for PNC Final

TOKYO: 18 of the 23 Flying Fijians selected for the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup Final currently play club rugby for the Fijian Drua. Incredibly, some of the club’s all-time greats are among the five others named to take on Japan at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium.

Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere will lead the national team into another Pacific Nations Cup decider, as they look to secure a three-peat. Ikanivere is no longer part of the Fijian Drua squad, having moved to Japan Rugby League One outfit Mie Honda Heat.

Elia Canakaivata is one of the all-time greats in Drua history, but it was announced in February that the backrower has signed with English side Sale Sharks. Caleb Muntz is another former Drua player in the Flying Fijians matchday 23, now with French side Provence.

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The Drua shared a graphic on social media which highlights just how many squad members are set to suit up in the PNC Final. Six of the eight forwards, five of the seven backs and another six bench players all ply their trade with the Super Rugby Pacific side.

Peni Ravai enjoyed a stint with the Queensland Reds before moving to the Drua ahead of the 2025 season. Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Temo Mayanavanua and Kitione Salawa are other Drua representatives in the national team.

Openside flanker Motikiai Murray is another, with the loose forward looking to build on a Player of the Match performance against Canada last weekend. Murray scored twice as Fiji claimed a 45-29 win over the Canadians in Osaka.

In the backs, Frank Lomani will link up with Drua Old Boy Muntz in the halves. Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens has been brought into the run-on side in place of Manasa Mataele, and the debutant is one of two who haven’t been involved with the Drua.

Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Virimi Vakatawa, Joji Nasova and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula round out the run-on side, meaning 14 of the 15 starters either currently play for the Drua or have done in the past.

It’s a similar story on the bench, with potential Flying Fijian debutant Vilikesa Nairau another non-Drua players. 91 per cent of players in the final squad have spent time with the Drua, which highlights just how strong that pathway is.

Fiji have won the last two PNC titles, including the finals in Japan two years ago, beating Japan on both occasions. But as skipper Ikanivere insisted on Friday after the team’s captain’s run, the Flying Fijians have set their sights on more silverware.

“The goal is clear for us, we’re here to win,” Ikanivere told reporters after the training session in Tokyo.

“We’ve prepared, we’ve done everything we could’ve done throughout this week to prepare well.”

Fiji’s interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula added: “The game is very important for us… we are, like the Japanese team, we want to win and also push the players that we have – they want to showcase their talents so that they can be considered for the upcoming Nations [Championship] in November.”

Flying Fijians for PNC 2026 Final

Current Fijian Drua:
Peni Ravai
Mesake Doge
Mesake Vocevoce
Temo Mayanavanua
Kitione Salawa
Motikiai Murray
Frank Lomani
Manasa Mataele
Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
Virimi Vakatawa
Joji Nasova
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
Kavaia Tagivetaua
Samuela Tawake
Isoa Tuwai
Penaia Cakobau
Sam Wye
Isikeli Rabitu

Former Fijian Drua:
Tevita Ikanivere
Elia Canakaivata
Caleb Muntz

No Drua distinction:
Vilikesa Nairau
Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens