Leleiwasa excited for 2026 season

Former Western Force and Wallabies scrumhalf Issak Fines-Leleiwasa joined the Fiji Drua squad for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

He said the move was special because of his family ties to Fiji.

“I’ve always had a soft spot for them because of where I’m from and where my dad’s from,” Fines-Leleiwasa said. 

“To be on the other side of it now is pretty special.”

Fines-Leleiwasa said he had followed the Drua closely in recent years. He described the fan base and culture as unique.

“The fan base around here is amazing and the culture is pretty special,” he said. “I’m very excited to be here.”

Fines-Leleiwasa earlier declared his intentions to play for Fiji, with his three- year international stand-down period concluding in October 2026. Fines-Leleiwasa is eligible for Fiji through his Fijian-born father and has roots in Vatani, Kaba in Tailevu.

“I just want to bring a lot of hard work and just enjoy my time here,” he said.

He added that he hoped to share his knowledge with younger players while also learning from teammates.

Fines-Leleiwasa said he had taken time off after leaving the Western Force to recover and stay fit.

“I’ve had a bit of time off after I finished up at the Western Force, so just get the body right and stay fit,” he said.

He added that training in Fiji’s humidity was helping him improve fitness.

“To jump in this humidity, it’s only going to get me fitter.

Fines-Leleiwasa made his Wallabies debut against France in 2023. He has played 6 Tests, with two of them at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, including vs the Flying Fijians. 

Fines-Leleiwasa has played 45 Super Rugby Pacific matches so far.