Loganimasi was a member of the Fiji men’s rugby sevens team that won a silver medal at this year’s Paris Olympic Games.
New Drua signing Ponipate Loganimasi. Photo: Fijian Drua
If the late Kombat Uluinakau Rugby Club founder Epi Kolinivala was still around, it would have been a proud moment for him.
In 2021, Kolinivala had taken the Uluinakau Babaas side to play at the Gaunavou Sevens tournament in Savusavu. It was there he spotted a young Ponipate Loganimasi playing for a local club Bilibili and knew that he had the potential to go a local way.
It was not long Loganimasi moved over to Suva to play for Uluinakau and the rest is now history.
He hails for Ono-i-Lau but was born and raised in his mother’s village of Nabua in Savusavu.
Loganimasi was a member of the Fiji men’s rugby sevens team that won a silver medal at this year’s Paris Olympic Games and also got a break by representing the Flying Fijians at the Pacific Nations Cup where he scored two tries in his Test debut against Japan in the final.
Yesterday, Loganimasi signed up on a fullt-time contract with the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua for next season’s Super Rugby Pacific.
“I want to thank the Lord for the opportunity,” the 26-year-old said.
“I know it’s not a small opportunity, it is a big one. I know a lot of kids in Fiji dream about playing for the Drua team and I am so blessed to be given the chance.”
Loganimasi said he wants to thank the Drua management for trusting in him and he can’t wait to start training with the team.
New Drua signing Ponipate Loganimasi. .
Loganimasi scored a remarkable 35 tries during his short stint with the Fiji men’s rugby sevens team in the 2023/24 World Series campaign before winning silver at the Paris Olympics.
Loganimasi also played at the McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament, featuring for the Fiji Babaas team. He first made his appearance in the local competition at the Nawaka tournament last year, captaining the Uluinakau team.
Loganimasi who is equally adept at outside back in 15s rugby, said he can’t wait to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut.
Fijian Drua head coach, Glen Jackson said: “I think it means a lot for the Drua, it shows the quality of players that we’re signing. Loganimasi’s debut with the 15s team was unbelievable.”
Jackson added “We know how good he is on the sevens circuit, and I think he is going to be an extremely positive new recruit for our club.”
Loganimasi is the fifth Flying Fijian signed by the Drua in this off-season, continuing an impressive recruitment drive, which earlier secured the likes of internationals like Joseva Tamani, Peni Ravai, Inia Tabuavou and Vuate Karawalevu.
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