The Papua New Guinea internationals, who both took part in last month’s OFC Nations Cup in Solomon Islands, are key figures for Hekari United in their homeland but will find some familiar faces during their temporary switch to Labasa.
Maciu Dunadamu, Ilaitia Tuilau, Pita Bolatoga and Taniela Waqa will all play for the district but have been starring in Papua New Guinea with Port Moresby-based Hekari in recent months.
The Fijian quartet will join forces with new arrivals Jack and Upaiga to form the nucleus of a strong-looking side while Labasa will also have the servies of talismanic striker Roy Krishna, who is based in New Zealand with Waitakere United but will return to his native Fiji for the Battle of the Giants.
The tournament is one of several major events on the nation’s footballing calendar and will take place from July 22 to 29. Labasa will play host to the first round of fixtures at Subrail Park while the other matches will all be held at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
Labasa have been drawn in Pool One of the Super Premier section and will meet Rewa, Ba and Nadroga while Pool Two features Lautoka, Nadi, Navua and Suva.
Jack and Upaiga are sure to boost Labasa’s chances as both impressed at the Nations Cup, despite Papua New Guinea’s failure to make the semi-finals. Jack scored his country’s only goal in open play with a header in the 1-1 draw with Fiji while Upaiga showed great athleticism and fitness to push forward from his left back position and join the attack on numerous occasions.
Their new team will be looking to build on the triumph of October’s Inter District Championship (IDC), which Labasa won for the first time in 17 years after beating Ba 1-0 in the final with a Dunadamu goal.

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