Former Crusaders and Western Force winger Manasa Mataele is set to make his first appearance for the Chiefs in Culture Round this weekend.
Mataele will debut on the wing, replacing Leroy Carter who has been rested this week.
He will man the right flank with fellow Fijian Emoni Narawa on the other side in the number 11 jersey.
Head coach Clayton McMillan told Ultimate Rugby that Mataele has worked hard all pre-season, and this is a great opportunity for him to have his first run in front of their fans at their home ground.
The Chiefs, currently sitting at the top of the 2025 Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific table, is set to face the Brumbies tomorrow.
Young rookie Judah Saumaisue has been named on the bench while Rob Valetini is still nursing a hamstring tear.
Tomorrow’s match at the FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton in New Zealand will kick off at 3.35pm.
Mataele played for Western Force in the Super Rugby before joining the Crusaders in 2016 and has played for them until the 2021 Super Rugby season.
He signed for the Chiefs in 2025.
He made his Super Rugby debut on 18 March 2017 against the Blues. He scored a try in the 33–24 win.
Mataele made his international debut for Fiji on 10 July 2021, replacing Nemani Nadolo off the bench, in a 23-57 loss to New Zealand.
In other games, Moana Pasifika face the Highlanders at 6.05pm today, the Waratahs meet the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua at 8.35 ronight, the Hurricanes face the Blues at 6.05pm tomorrow while the Force meet the Reds at 8.35pm.
The Crusaders are on a bye this week.
