‘Something bigger than myself’: Manasa Mataele on rugby’s impact on Fiji

Rugby is a sport that is capable of having a powerful impact on individuals, communities and even countries. Nelson Mandela famously embraced the 1995 Rugby World Cup as a landmark event for South Africa, and the code continues to have a lasting impact worldwide today.

Manasa Mataele waited more than 1,530 days between appearances for Fiji, before lining up on the wing last weekend. Mataele ran for more than 80 metres in the 45-29 win over Canada in Osaka, as Fiji booked their place in the Asahi Super Rugby Pacific Nations Cup Final.

Between those appearances for the Flying Fijians, Mataele fell out of with rugby before finding it again a couple of years later. The 29-year-old winger cited the move to the Fijian Drua as a key part in that journey, making him realise “the importance of the impact that we can have.”

Fiji continues to embrace rugby with unwavering passion, for both the Flying Fijians and Fijiana, and the teams on the HSBC SVNS Series. Of course, the nation famously introduced some seven-dollar notes to commemorate the gold medal-winning team from Rio 2016.

Thousands now flock to stadiums in Lautoka, Ba and Suva to watch the Drua play throughout the Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women’s seasons. Mataele has felt that support first-hand, having been announced as a Drua signing ahead of the 2026 campaign.

“Last couple of years I’ve had my fair share of adversities, with injuries, personal stuff happened that for me kind of took the love of rugby away for a bit there,” Mataele told RugbyPass.

“Found the love of it again about a year or two ago. Especially me coming back home to the Drua this year, just being home just made me realise the importance of the impact that we can have as Fijian rugby players, not just for us but the whole nation really.

“I think for me, just knowing that I play for something bigger than myself made me fall in love with rugby again.”

Mataele came off the bench for the Flying Fijians in a Pacific Nations Cup 38-0 win over Tonga on July 2, 2022. The outside back played again the following week against a star-studded Australia A side in Lautoka, lining up at fullback in the 18-32 defeat.

But the former Taranaki, Canterbury, Crusaders, Western Force and Chiefs winger hadn’t played for the national team since then, before taking the field at Osaka’s Hanazono Rugby Stadium for last weekend’s semi-final.

Mataele made a few particularly memorable runs down the left edge, including an effort in the lead-up to Frank Lomani’s try early on. The No. 11 also made one defender miss and got an offload off to Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, setting up the playmaker for a first-half try.

“I was trying to keep my emotions in check. It’s just been a while, to be back out there,” Mataele reflected.

“For me it was just going out there to do my job really and doing what I love, being out there, especially playing with your mates, the boys that I’ve played with since ages ago – since high school – to be back out there playing with them again, it’s special.”

Player of the Match Motikai Murray crossed for a double as the Flying Fijians raced out to a 45-17 lead during the second half. But the Canadians fought their way, with Kyle Tremblay and Mason Flesch touching down for a try each with less than 15 minutes left.

Fiji went down to 13 men for the last few minutes, with Isoa Nasilasila and Terio Tamani shown cards late in the piece. The defending PNC champions remained strong in defence though, as they booked their place in another title decider.

Japan are up next in the PNC 2026 Final, with the Brave Blossoms moving on with a relentless 63-14 victory against the USA Eagles. The Brave Blossoms played three Tests during the July Nations Championship Tests before facing the Wallabies twice, and Canada earlier this month.

“Canada played last week, Japan has been playing consistently for the last month or two.

“The July campaign wasn’t the best for us but coming into this campaign, knowing that we’ve played together this year, especially as Drua players, it’s been awesome. Taking that into this campaign – yes we haven’t played in a while but we’ve been playing together through the Super season and playing the game of rugby that we all love to play.”