Manasa Mataele closes in on 3,000 career metres
Fijian Drua meet Highlanders at Four R Stadium, Saturday 2:35pm (Super Rugby Pacific). Highlanders have won 3 of the 4 meetings with Fijian Drua since 2023.
The big picture
Fijian Drua come in 10th on the ladder with 21 points; Highlanders are 9th on 24. Only a couple of spots separate them, so there is plenty riding on it.
Fijian Drua are 5–9 in Super Rugby Pacific 2026, averaging 23.6 points for and 33.8 against.
Highlanders are 5–9 in Super Rugby Pacific 2026, averaging 23.4 points for and 30.3 against.
Form
Fijian Drua have won one of their last five and most recently lost to Queensland Reds 24–45.
Highlanders have won two of their last five and most recently lost to Hurricanes 28–45.
Fijian Drua have lost their last three.
Head to head
These sides have met 4 times on our records since 2023: Fijian Drua 1, Highlanders 3.
Last time out (2026), Fijian Drua won 24–14 at Four R Stadium.
Biggest margin between these two: Highlanders by 36 points in 2024 (39–3).
Players to watch
For Fijian Drua, watch Virimi Vakatawa (0.1 tries a game in 2026) and Mesake Doge (0.1 tries a game in 2026).
For Highlanders, watch Nic Shearer (0.3 tries a game in 2026) and Lucas Casey (0.3 tries a game in 2026).
Milestone watch
Manasa Mataele is 41 metres short of 3,000 for their career.
What the numbers say
On form, ladder and history, Highlanders have the edge.
Written automatically from Lineball's own match and player database. Not betting advice.