Former Flying Fijians winger Manasa Mataele will make his Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific debut for the Chiefs this weekend against the Brumbies.
The former Marist Brothers High School sprinter and former Crusaders and Western Force player will mark his return to Super Rugby as the Chiefs look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Head coach Clayton McMillan says Mataele has earned his opportunity after a strong pre-season.
Mataele will partner former Queen Victoria School student Emoni Narawa on the wing.
Chiefs: Damian McKenzie, Emoni Narawa, Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn Tupaea, Manasa Mataele, Josh Jacomb, Cortez Ratima; Simon Parker, Jahrome Brown, Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i (capt), Josh Lord, George Dyer, Brodie McAlister, Aidan Ross.
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, Sione Ahio, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Kaylum Boshier, Xavier Roe, Daniel Rona Gideon Wrampling.
The Chiefs play the Brumbies at 3.35pm Saturday.
In other games, Moana Pasifika face the Highlanders at 6.05pm tomorrow, the Waratahs meet the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua at 8.35pm tomorrow, the Hurricanes face the Blues at 6.05pm Saturday, the Force meet the Reds at 8.35pm Saturday while the Crusaders are on a bye this week.
