Manasa Mataele tackles persisting question over Drua's away record

A Fiji homecoming is sparking Manasa Mataele’s Rugby World Cup dream as the electric winger vows to roll up his sleeves for the Drua.

The 29-year-old has arrived home after eye-catching Super Rugby Pacific stints with the Crusaders, Chiefs and Western Force.

Trademark running rugby has ensured the Drua have flourished at home since their 2022 debut season, winning 15 of 22 games across Suva and Lautoka.

But they boast just three wins in four seasons on foreign soil.

“This is where the leaders have come into it and impressed that point,” Mataele told AAP.

“How we can be consistent away from home?

“The main thing is to play the moment, not looking too far ahead. And our aggression shouldn’t change, whether we’re away or home.”

Mataele’s inclusion is a welcome one after the Drua, who begin their campaign in Lautoka against Moana Pasifika next Saturday, after being gutted in the offseason.

Mainstay and captain Tevita Ikanivere, Caleb Muntz, Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, Selestino Ravutaumada, and star midfielder Iosefo Masi have all departed.

But former Wallabies and Force halfback Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, who has Fijian heritage, and lock Temo Mayanavanua, back from Europe, will add starch alongside Mataele.

“What can you do? You can’t stop that,” Mataele said of the inevitable player drain of Fijian stars to cashed-up foreign leagues.

“But the chemistry we have here has been really good, and we’re coming back home with some expertise.

“Something I want to drive (is to) enjoy working hard.

“The ceiling is very high for our team. It’s about seeing what we can do with what we have and how far we can go.”

Mataele, who played the last of his four Tests in 2022, is known for his strong carries and brilliant offloads.

There is a long line of explosive, younger backs jostling for spots, but Mataele believes, after an injury-riddled career that includes a fractured spine that had him contemplating retirement, he still has plenty to offer the world No.8 side.

“The World Cup’s the goal, for next year, and one of the reasons I came back home was for that, really,” he said.

“To put my best foot forward and hopefully put that white jersey back on.

“To play in front of family and friends (for the Drua) … the crowd, it’s crazy. It’s going to be very cool, very emotional and very different to playing at other clubs.”