Former Flying Fijians winger Manasa Mataele is set to make his Super Rugby Pacific debut for the Gallagher Chiefs this Saturday in a match against the Brumbies. He will play on the blindside wing, while Emoni Narawa will cover the opposite wing in jersey number 14.
This match marks an exciting return for Mataele as he steps into the Chiefs’ lineup after previous stints with the Crusaders and Western Force. Chiefs’ head coach Clayton McMillan has expressed confidence in Mataele’s abilities, noting his impressive performance during the pre-season, which has led to a strong start for the Chiefs in the season.
Also making a return to the squad after an eight-month injury layoff is All Blacks hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, who will start from the bench. The team will be captained by lock forward Tupou Vaa’i for the match taking place at FMG Stadium in Hamilton, set to kick off at 3:35 PM on Saturday.
Notably, Judah Saumaisue, a former loose forward for the Fiji Under-20 team, has been named on the bench for the Brumbies, highlighting the emergence of talent on both teams.
This upcoming game presents a significant opportunity not only for Mataele to showcase his skills in front of local fans but also for the Chiefs to continue their pursuit of an unbeaten season. The return of key players and the inclusion of new talent like Mataele reflect the team’s dedication to building a competitive squad, creating a hopeful and positive atmosphere as the season progresses.
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