Mataele left the Crusaders in 2021 to join Western Force before a stint with the Chiefs in 2025.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Crusaders v Fijian Drua
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 3 April
Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Former Crusaders player Manasa Mataele will have the chance to play against some of his former teammates at his old hunting ground when the Fijian Drua takes on the Super Rugby Pacific defending champions in Christchurch on Friday.
Drua head coach Glen Jackson has given Mataele a starting spot at 11, facing All Blacks winger Sevu Reece who is one of the two Fijians named by the Crusaders for the match.
Mataele joined the Crusaders in 2016 and appeared with fellow Fijians Seta Tamanivalu and Jone Macilai in the 2017 season.
He left the Crusaders in 2021 to join Western Force before a stint with the Chiefs in 2025.
Jackson has named him to pair Joji Nasova on the wings, as one of the changes made to the team beaten by the Blues in Auckland last weekend.
The match will also become the last Super Rugby game at the stadium before future matches are moved to the new One New Zealand Stadium, which will host the Super Round over the ANZAC weekend.
Jackson told the media earlier in the week that they would need to refocus on the Crusaders, after dropping their performance in the last 30 minutes of the match last weekend.
He said the team will need to match the Crusaders strong pack upfront.
Crusaders have named Fijian George Bower in their front-row, supported by All Black duo Codie Taylor and Fletcher Newell.
“They’re a quality outfit, they’ve won it more than anyone else, and they’re a proud team, especially finishing up at a stadium where they’ve had a lot of success,” he told FBC News.
“Our forwards need to step up. If we lose the contact area, then it’s going to be tough for us. They’ve got All Blacks all over the park. Will Jordan is pure class, and they’ve got dangerous players like Sevu Reece and Chay Fihaki.”
The Crusaders are on sixth on the points table, while Drua sits at ninth.
Mataele and Nasova should be able to cover the sidelines well and counter high balls.
The duo replace Ponipate Loganimasi and Epeli Momo, who are injured.
Young halfback Philip Baselala has been added to the bench as back-up for Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, with co-captain Frank Lomani sidelined also because of injury.
He left the field in the second half against the Blues at the weekend.
Jackson has kept faith with his front-row, retaining Haereiti Hetet (1), Mesake Doge and Zuriel Togiatama at hooker.
Hard working lock Isoa Nasilasila has been named as captain for the game, joined by Otago rep Joseva Tamani in the middle row.
The loose trio of Etonia Waqa, Kitione Salawa and Elia Canakaivata have also been retained.
Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula starts at 10, with inside centre Iosefo Namoce, who had an impressive game against the Blues, getting his second start in the starting lineup.
The Crusaders will be led by Will Jordan.
Only three matches will be played this weekend, with the Chiefs facing Waratahs at home on Saturday afternoon and the Reds hosting Western Force in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Fijian Drua: 1. Haereiti Hetet, 2. Zuriel Togiatama, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Joseva Tamani, 5. Isoa Nasilasila (captain), 6. Etonia Waqa, 7. Kitione Salawa, 8. Elia Canakaivata, 9. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 10. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11. Manasa Mataele, 12. Iosefo Namoce, 13. Virimi Vakatawa, 14. Joji Nasova, 15. Iliasia Droasese
Bench: 16. Sairusi Ravudi, 17. Emosi Tuqiri, 18. Peni Ravai, 19. Mesake Vocevoce, 20. Isoa Tuwai, 21. Phillip Baselala, 22. Kemu Valetini, 23. Isikeli Rabitu.
Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Antonio Shalfoon, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Corey Kellow, 7. Johnny Lee, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Taha Kemara, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. Dallas McLeod, 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan (captain)
Bench: 16. George Bell, 17. Jack Sexton, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20. Dom Gardiner, 21. Louie Chapman, 22. Rivez Reihana, 23. Braydon Ennor