Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat La has outlined the ability of new signing Viliame Mata of winning the gain line battle as one of the key reasons the club have signed the Fijian international backrower from Edinburgh ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Lam on the club’s website said Mata is one of the most powerful and exciting back-row players in the game, so they are delighted to be bolstering our forward pack with a player of his world-class calibre next season.
“While he is destructive and brings gain line on both sides of the ball, he also possesses the passing/offloading skills and experience that will add real value to our team.
“His performances as a centurion for Edinburgh and at the recent Rugby World Cup in France for Fiji, showcased his experience and ability at the top level. We’re pleased to be bringing him to the Bears and the Premiership next season.”
There is expected to be plenty of change within the Bristol squad ahead of next season, so Mata’s signature looks set to be the first of several announcements over the coming months.
Bristol have gone through a transformation over the last six months, adding powerhouse centres Virimi Vakatawa and Benhard Janse van Rensburg to significantly bulk up their midfield following the departure of Semi Radradra, but the pack remains short of a couple of bruising, bulking forwards.
Mata, despite being 32, reportedly earns wages in excess of £400,000 a season, which will make him one of the biggest earners at the Bears next season, but with good reason.
Predominantly a number eight, Mata stands at 6’5” and weighs in at 125kg, and was nominated for EPCR Player of the Year and named Guinness PRO14 Players’ Player of the Year in 2018/19 having won Olympic Gold with Fiji at Rio 2016 and in the 15-a-side game was a standout player at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, scoring against England in the quarter-final.
