New Crusaders wing Manasa Mataele was left speechless when coach Scott Robertson called him to tell him he had made the Super Rugby team for next season.
The 19‑year‑old Fijian flyer, who has only just finished his first season with Taranaki in the Mitre 10 Cup was officially named in the Crusaders 38‑strong squad and is still coming to terms with the shock phone call.
Standing at 1.85m tall and weighing in at 100kg, Mataele has electric speed, a superb step and is a powerful runner.
He showed off all of his skills during his first start for Taranaki, against Hawke's Bay, in August, when he busted through three defenders and stepped two more on his way to the line.
Mataele says it is a dream come true to play for the Crusaders, the team he supported while growing up in Fiji.
He says his family's dream has come true after signing with the Crusaders for 2017
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson says Mataele will need time to develop but predicted he would be a well‑known name in New Zealand within the next few years.
Robertson says they can see a massive amount of natural ability and talent in Manasa that is ready to be unlocked.
Source: Stuff.co.nz
