Border Reopens: Fiji 3 Join Camp
TRANS TASMAN BUBBLE REOPENS. CONFIRMED- MANASA MATAELE LEAVES CRUSADERS TO JOIN WESTERN FORCE
Our three Australia-based players will join camp today after the re-opening of the travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand yesterday.
They are halfbacks Frank Lomani, Moses Sorovi and first five eight, Teti Tela.
Flying Fijians head coach Vern Cotter had earlier said, he is expecting all the 32-member squad to be in camp by tomorrow.
The other players who are coming in late are Europe-based Peceli Yato, Eroni Mawi and Peni Ravai.
Mataele makes move
Getting ready to make his first Test debut for the Flying Fijians, winger, Manasa Mataele, is finally leaving the Crusaders.
It was confirmed yesterday that Matele is joining Western Force for next year’s Super Rugby competition.
The Vanuavatu, Lau, native is currently in camp with the Flying Fijians to prepare for Saturday’s first Test against the All Blacks at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
He is tipped to start on the wing along with burly Nemani Nadolo, who also played for the Crusaders before moving to Europe.
According to Radio New Zealand, Mataele could make his international debut opposite his Crusaders team-mate and former Fijian schoolboy rival, Sevu Reece.
“I played against him (Reece) actually when I was in primary school and high school but I haven’t played against him since I’ve been here- only in Mitre 10 Cup competitions,” Mataele recalled.
“But a few weeks ago actually it was pretty cool to start again with him on each side (for the Crusaders).
“It’s one thing we’ve talked about but it will be quite funny if we go up against each other during the test as well.”