Ni-Vanuatu footballer Jack Vira Tokaki has spent much of his career being recognised as an attacking player, but his first season with Nadi has required something different. Ahead of the 2026 FMF Inter-District Championship, the 25-year-old believes that adaptation has made him a more complete footballer — and could eventually help him earn an opportunity with the Vanuatu national team.
Vira joined Nadi for the 2026 season after representing Nadroga last year, remaining in Fiji’s top-flight environment but taking on a significantly different role. Instead of operating primarily as a winger or striker, the Ni-Vanuatu has been deployed in central midfield, including as a defensive midfielder.
“Last year I was with Nadroga, but this year I have played the full season for Nadi in central midfield, so I will play the IDC for Nadi,” Vira told Oceania Football Center.
The change represents a major adjustment for a player accustomed to influencing matches closer to goal. Vira says he scored six league goals while playing predominantly as a winger and striker for Nadroga last season, whereas his responsibilities at Nadi have moved him considerably deeper on the pitch.
That has affected his scoring output, but also forced him to understand different phases of the game.
“It’s my first year playing as a central midfielder throughout the season. Last year, playing as a winger and striker for Nadroga, I scored six goals in the league. It has been hard playing a new role throughout this season, but I have learned and experienced a lot in this new position,” he explained.
Rather than viewing the positional change negatively, Vira believes it has expanded his understanding of football.
“Yes, I like this position. It helps me understand the game a lot, and there is also the defensive role,” he said. “In this position, I have learned a lot both defensively and offensively, and I think I can do better for Nadi at this IDC.”
Vira’s official profile still lists him primarily as an attacker, reflecting the position in which he established himself before this season. Nadi’s use of him deeper therefore represents a significant tactical evolution in his career. The move to the Jetsetters came after a 2025 campaign with Nadroga, with his transfer to Nadi completed ahead of the new season. Public match records also show him regularly involved in Nadi’s league side during 2026.
The season itself has not been straightforward for the Jetsetters. Nadi finished seventh in the Extra Premier League and endured a difficult Battle of the Giants campaign, although they still produced competitive performances and some important results during the year.
Vira believes injuries and lapses in concentration contributed to the team’s difficulties at the BOG.
“We had some players injured and lacked concentration during the tournament. Otherwise, we could have done better,” he said. “But now we regroup, stay positive and focus on working very hard for the major tournament ahead, which is the IDC.”
The Inter-District Championship offers Nadi one final opportunity to turn an inconsistent domestic season into something memorable. The Jetsetters have been drawn alongside Ba, Lautoka and Navua in Group B, with the competition taking place at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Nadi also arrive with significant history behind them. The six-time IDC champions have not lifted the trophy since 2002, meaning a successful campaign would end a 24-year wait for one of Fiji football’s traditional powers.
Vira believes the squad’s combination of younger players and experienced figures can give Nadi a chance.
“We have been training very hard with plenty of young boys and some senior players. We want to do better at this IDC,” he said.
There is also a personal target. After spending two seasons competing in Fiji — first with Nadroga and now Nadi — Vira is still waiting for an opportunity at senior international level with Vanuatu.
While several Ni-Vanuatu players based overseas or in the domestic game have been considered by the national team in recent years, Vira has yet to receive the call he wants. He does not see that as a reason for frustration, instead identifying areas of his own game that still need improvement.
“I hope that in the future I will get a chance to represent my country,” Vira said. “In my opinion, I need to work harder on my mistakes and weaknesses, both on and off the field. I also need to focus more on the attacking final third, especially scoring goals.”
That final point is particularly relevant after his positional change. Vira has been asked to contribute much more to Nadi’s build-up and defensive work this season, but he still wants to recover some of the attacking production that characterised his time with Nadroga.
The IDC now provides an immediate stage on which to demonstrate that balance.
For Nadi supporters, Vira promised full commitment as the Jetsetters attempt to extend their tournament beyond the group stage. For those following him from Vanuatu, his message was equally clear: he remains ready if an international opportunity eventually arrives.
“For the fans, we will give our best in this tournament and continue to work and play hard in every game to make our loyal fans happy and go as far as possible in the tournament,” he said. “To the national selectors, if the opportunity is given to me, I will certainly be ready to give my best to represent my country.”
For Vira, the 2026 season has therefore been less about maintaining the role in which he was already comfortable and more about adding another dimension to his game. The attacker who arrived in Fiji and scored from advanced positions is now learning how to defend, organise and influence matches from midfield.
The IDC offers his next examination — and perhaps another opportunity to make himself harder for Vanuatu’s national-team selectors to ignore.
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