Battle of the midfield in Laumape vs Vakatawa this afternoon

Battle of the midfield in Laumape vs Vakatawa this afternoon

By Alipate Narawa

14/02/2026

Ngani Laumape and Virimi Vakatawa

It will be a great match up in the midfield with ex All Black Ngani Laumape going up against former French centre in Virimi Vakatawa.

These were the comments made by Swire Shipping Fijian Drua Head Coach, Glen Jackson from the Drua base in Nadi when asked on his thoughts on the two titans going head to head.

Jackson says both players are super experienced at their trade and it will be a hell of a match-up to watch those two go for it.

Insert: Tana unknown Feb 14

When asked if he will pair Manasa Mataele and Vakatawa in the midfield, Jackson says Mataele also played wing in the NPC.

Jackson says they have also got a couple of players that have again missed out in the midfield that could have easily been there like Isikeli Rabitu who has been awesome and will come off the bench and is probably more of a 12 as well as full-back, but Samusamuvodre Tuidraki played really well last year.

He says Tuidraki had a couple of cracking games for the Flying Fijians in the Pacific Nations Cup and brings a good defensive solid 13 at the moment.

The Drua play Moana Pasifika at 3.35 this afternoon at Churchill Park, Lautoka.

In other games, the Chiefs face the Blues at 6.05pm while the Force play the Brumbies at 8.35pm.