The Sale Sharks club has secured the services of Fijian loose forward Elia Canakaivata for a duration of two years, commencing from the upcoming season.
At 29 years old, he is set to join from the Fijian Drua once the present Super Rugby Pacific season concludes. This agreement was made public merely hours after Sale officially announced the recruitment of his fellow club member and compatriot, Ponipate Loganimasi.
An erstwhile Fiji Sevens representative, who triumphed in the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2022 prior to transitioning to the 15-a-side version of the sport, he earned the distinction of Fiji’s Players’ Player of the Year in 2025.
Canakaivata, who serves as a naval officer, has previously encountered some of his prospective colleagues, having competed against existing Sale key players Luke Cowan-Dickie and Asher Opoku-Fordjour during Fiji’s match against England in November.
The formidable forward must first complete a Super Rugby season before directing his attention to playing in the Gallagher PREM, having already featured as a starter in the number 8 position for the Drua in their initial two games of the season.
“I am enthusiastic about joining a team such as Sale Sharks within the PREM league,” Canakaivata expressed. “It represents a superb contest and an organization rich in heritage, offering a wonderful chance for me to encounter a novel experience.
“I am familiar with certain athletes from having faced them while representing Fiji. I eagerly anticipate collaborating on the field with Tom Curry, given his reputation as one of the premier players globally in my specific role.
“My affinity for the combative aspect of rugby leads me to believe I will be well-suited to the playing philosophy of Sale Sharks. I am acquainted with Bill Mata from our time with the national squad, and I am keen to compete against him.”
Alex Sanderson, Sale’s director of rugby, further commented: “Elia performs a considerable amount of tasks that might often go unnoticed. While he may not frequently produce spectacular plays, he is undeniably a formidable athlete in both offensive and defensive capacities.”
“He exhibits a strong passion for making tackles and applying his physical strength in defensive situations, yet he also excels as an effective ball-runner. Due to his background in the Sevens circuit, his intensity and diligence are exceptional, and I anticipate he will create a substantial impression with us.
“His spouse and Ponipate’s spouse share a close friendship, and both families will be relocating together, providing mutual encouragement both during matches and in their daily lives.”
