He currently serves on the coaching staff of the Kubota Spears in the Japan Rugby League One, the club where he finished his playing career.

After spending the 2004 season on loan with Southland, Soakai made his debut for Otago in 2005 and by the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup was a regular starter for the squad.

In ensuing seasons, he developed into one of Otago's most reliable players, and was selected team captain for the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup.

After a mass exodus from the club following the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Soakai solidified his spot as the team's starting openside flanker in 2008.

A strong 2009 Super Rugby season, Soakai was selected to the Junior All Blacks for the 2009 IRB Pacific Nations Cup.