News | Rugby
31 Jan 2026 17:53
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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
     31 Jan: The Black Ferns Sevens have demolished Great Britain 64-nil to open their Singapore World Series campaign, running in 10 tries
     31 Jan: Black Ferns Sevens vice-captain Jorja Miller thinks the strength in connections from playing both the seven-a-side and fifteen-a-side codes will help the team to defend their Singapore Sevens title this weekend
     30 Jan: Rugby Australia has shown its desire to retain young talent after re-signing star Wallabies outside back Max Jorgensen through to the 2031 World Cup
     30 Jan: Former All Blacks coach John Mitchell will remain a thorn in the side of the Black Ferns
     30 Jan: This year's first Super Rugby Pacific pre-season matches take place across New Zealand this afternoon
     29 Jan: Ireland's Auckland-born midfielder Bundee Aki will sit out half of Ireland's Six Nations rugby campaign over referee abuse
     29 Jan: All Blacks are returning to Super Rugby franchises while the hunt for a new national coach remains the talking point
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     Today's News

    Entertainment:
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    Rugby:
    The Black Ferns Sevens have demolished Great Britain 64-nil to open their Singapore World Series campaign, running in 10 tries 17:26

    Business:
    Why Asian countries are joining Trump's Board of Peace 17:26

    Cricket:
    The women's T20 Super Smash between Wellington and Auckland is heading for a tight finish in Christchurch 17:26

    Environment:
    Environment Canterbury has put an exclusion zone in place around the site of a capsized tourist boat, from which more than 40 people were evacuated 17:16

    Entertainment:
    Judd Apatow says Rob Reiner's death has been "really tough" on Mel Brooks 17:01

    Law and Order:
    A touching tribute from the family of Susan Knowles, a victim of the Mount Maunganui landslide 16:56

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    Katie Price "misses" her husband Lee Andrews after jetting back to the UK following their surprise Dubai wedding 16:31

    National:
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    National:
    Silver and gold hit record highs – then crashed. Before joining the rush, you need to know this 16:06


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