Mataele likely to start at right wing for Crusaders next season

Fiji-born winger Manasa Mataele is likely to start on the right wing for the Crusaders during the Super Rugby pre‑season.

Now in his third year with the Crusaders, Mataele knows that Seta Tamanivalu's departure to French club Bordeaux has opened that door, but he is not the only one lining up to fill the void.

Israel Dagg, Leicester Faingaanuku, Will Jordan and Ngane Punivai are also candidates to play in the position Mataele has had success in the past two seasons.

Mataele, having started just four of the 13 games scored eight tries this year, he had a knack for coming off the bench and sparking the reigning champions into gear on their way to their ninth title.

Mataele, while smaller in stature than Tamanivalu, is gifted with speed and power, something Crusaders coach Scott Robertson wasn't keen to lose when Tamanivalu announced he was leaving.

The Crusaders wrapped up the first month of pre‑season yesterday.

The 2019 Super Rugby Season will begin on 15th February.

[Source: stuff.co]