News | Rugby
8 Feb 2026 16:07
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  •   Home > News > Sports > Rugby

    Canterbury winger Manasa Mataele is thankful of the support of his international rugby-playing wife Martha, as he makes a comeback in the NPC against Southland in Invercargill tonight

    Canterbury winger Manasa Mataele is thankful of the support of his international rugby-playing wife Martha, as he makes a comeback in the NPC against Southland in Invercargill tonight


    Mataele suffered a stress fracture in his back earlier in the year - keeping him sidelined during the Crusaders' season.

    He was also given personal leave to return to Fiji following the death of his mother.

    Meanwhile Mataele's wife - Martha - missed out on Black Ferns selection after debuting in 2023.

    He says they've been each other's rock.



    Kickoff from Invercargill's Rugby park at 5 past 7 - live commentary on Gold Sport and iHeartRadio.

    NPC COVERAGE WITH GALLAGHER INSURANCE. PROUD PARTNERS OF PROVINCIAL RUGBY

    © 2026 Newstalk ZB, NZCity

     Other Rugby News
     08 Feb: The Highlanders are keeping their fingers crossed for Fabian Holland as they prepare to find out more about the All Blacks lock's injury
     08 Feb: New Zealand's Paul Coll has won into the last eight at squash's Windy City Open in Chicago
     08 Feb: Welsh rugby is still in crisis...spanked 48-7 in their opening Six Nations match against England at Twickenham
     08 Feb: Both New Zealand teams have made the semi-finals at the World Series event in Perth
     08 Feb: The New Zealand men's sevens team has snuck into the semi-finals of the Perth Sevens, despite losing two of their three pool matches
     07 Feb: The Black Ferns Sevens have kicked off their Perth World Series campaign with a 34-12 victory over Japan in pool play
     07 Feb: Returning All Black Jordie Barrett is adamant the Hurricanes are better than their preseason scoreline against the Chiefs may suggest
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Highlanders are keeping their fingers crossed for Fabian Holland as they prepare to find out more about the All Blacks lock's injury More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Residents in Hawke's Bay's Kai-rakau have entered a second consecutive month of level 4 water restrictions More...



     Today's News

    Rugby:
    The Highlanders are keeping their fingers crossed for Fabian Holland as they prepare to find out more about the All Blacks lock's injury 15:47

    Business:
    Residents in Hawke's Bay's Kai-rakau have entered a second consecutive month of level 4 water restrictions 15:27

    Golf:
    World number one Scottie Scheffler is lurking at the PGA Tour's latest stop in Phoenix 15:07

    Rugby:
    New Zealand's Paul Coll has won into the last eight at squash's Windy City Open in Chicago 14:37

    Business:
    Many businesses across the country could have unknowingly have a gender pay gap 14:17

    General:
    Winter Olympics 2026 quick guide: What to watch on Day 2, Sunday, February 8 14:17

    International:
    Savannah Guthrie indicates she will pay ransom for return of her mother in video message to apparent kidnappers 14:07

    Environment:
    State Highway Two through the Waioweka Gorge, which connects Gisborne and the Eastern Bay of Plenty, re-opens tomorrow under special conditions 14:07

    Health & Safety:
    Water warnings along the capital's South Coast are expected to remain for another week, as officials wait for more test results 13:47

    Basketball:
    A double-dose of positive news for the Breakers as they fight to keep their dim NBL basketball playoff hopes alight 12:27


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