GALLAGHER Premiership giants Sale Sharks have approached Swire Shipping Fijian Drua and FIJI Water Flying Fijians wing/fullback Ponipate Loganimasi about joining the Greater Manchester-based club for the 2026-2027 Gallagher Premiership season.
Loganimasi has been in excellent form in the 15-a-side game since winning a silver medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
His inclusion in the Flying Fijians squad in 2024, straight from the national sevens team without any domestic 15s rugby experience is a rare achievement shared only with Fijian Drua’s latest recruit Joji Nasova in Fiji’s modern rugby era.
On his Flying Fijians debut during the Pacific Nations Cup, the 27-year-old made an immediate impact off the bench, scoring two scintillating second-half tries in Fiji’s 47-17 victory over Japan.
Since then, his fifteens career has flourished, with six tries in 12 games for the Fijian Drua last season, earning him recognition as one of the players to watch in the 2026 season.
His successful outing at fullback for the Flying Fijians in their 33-27 win against Canada has given national head coach Mick Byrne an exciting option for the position.
Loganimasi’s potential move to the Gallagher Premiership next season could pose challenges for the Flying Fijians setup, as the team’s fullback options are limited, with Salesi Rayasi the only specialist fullback currently in the squad.
Aside from Rayasi, the fullback role has been shared among Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, Vuate Karawalevu, Setareki Tuicuvu, Logaimasi, and Ilaisa Droasese.
Among these players, Loganimasi has emerged as the most promising backup to Rayasi in the number-15 jersey.
However, history shows that many Fijian players moving overseas are often utilised primarily as wings or utility backs, and Loganimasi’s move could follow a similar path.
According to RugbyPass, Loganimasi isn’t the only player being eyed by the club as Sharks boss Alex Sanderson hasn’t been shy about his recruitment ambitions for the club next season and has already announced that former England centre Joe Merchant is joining from Stade Français and Welsh loosehead Nicky Smith is joining from Leicester Tigers.
