Former Crusaders and Western Force winger Manasa Mataele is primed to make his debut for the Chiefs during Culture Round this weekend. Mataele, stepping in for rookie Leroy Carter who has been rested, will play on the wing alongside fellow Fijian Emoni Narawa.
The Chiefs are currently sitting at the top of the 2025 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific table, marking a strong start to their season. Head coach Clayton McMillan expressed confidence in Mataele’s abilities, noting his diligent pre-season efforts and emphasizing that this match presents a fantastic opportunity for him to perform in front of home fans at FMG Stadium Waikato.
Mataele’s journey in Super Rugby has been notable; he initially played for the Western Force before joining the Crusaders in 2016, where he remained until the 2021 season. After signing with the Chiefs in 2025, he has the chance to showcase his talent in a competitive setting. His previous experience includes scoring a try in his Super Rugby debut against the Blues back in March 2017 and representing Fiji at the international level.
The Chiefs will face the Brumbies tomorrow at 3:35 PM, with the match expected to be an exciting contest as both teams look to build on their successes this season. Young rookie Judah Saumaisue is also set to appear on the Chiefs’ bench, while Brumbies player Rob Valetini continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
The anticipation surrounding Mataele’s debut and the inclusion of returning players such as Naitoa Ah Kuoi reinforces the team’s spirit and aims for a promising and competitive season ahead.
Overall, this match not only highlights the emergence of new talent like Mataele but also emphasizes the Chiefs’ commitment to maintaining their winning momentum. Fans are hopeful as they rally behind their team in this significant game.
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