Ahead of the New Season: Catching Up with Dominiko Manaseitava
Photo credit: Leighton Davies
The new rugby season is rapidly approaching, and the Super Rygbi Cymru is about to enter its third instalment. Many players will be eager to make an impact in the competition. At the Brewery Field, Dominiko Manaseitava will be aiming to build on his form at the end of last season and deliver some big performances for Bridgend.
Excited to be at the Brewery Field
After his time with Cardiff Met, Manaseitava featured for the Ravens and is excited for his first full season at the Brewery Field. Representing his hometown is something special, not least because he is following in the footsteps of many greats who have worn the iconic Bridgend shirt before.
“I’m really excited to see what next season brings. I had such a good time with the Ravens towards the end of last season, so I can’t wait for the new campaign to get started.”
He also competed in a huge play-off game against Aberavon. The rain was beating down on the pitch as both teams were hunting for a place in the quarter-finals. It was a razor-thin contest and a real challenge for both teams. Bridgend edged it 15-14 in a memorable clash. Manaseitava came off the bench that day and reflected on the game.
“It was a great feeling to be involved in such an important game with so much on the line. After making my debut the week before, I was really keen to stay involved with the team. The conditions were really tough, and you could tell they affected both sides, so to come away with the win made it even more satisfying.”
Manaseitava also enjoyed a memorable moment in North Wales.
A memorable score in North Wales
Manaseitava made his Ravens debut against RGC, where he went over for a fantastic score that caught the attention of many Welsh rugby fans. He reflected on that try.
“Yeah, it was an unreal feeling to score on my debut in that way. It was also class to see how supportive the boys were afterwards. There’s a real sense of belonging at the club, and that made the moment even more special.”
Even though he has only played a handful of games for the Ravens, the hooker has already learnt a great deal, building on the foundations he developed at Cardiff Met.
Learning and ambitions
“Cardiff Met taught me a lot about maintaining high standards and building good habits. Those are things I’ll always carry with me when it comes to my rugby and overall performance.”
With the Ravens, he has played in some big games and has already produced moments that will live long in the memory. It has already been a valuable learning experience.
“From a rugby perspective, I learned a lot about staying clear and composed under pressure. I think that really helped me stay connected with the team in training and during the few games I played, especially as I was still new to the group.”
In terms of his ambitions, his goal is clear: to perform.
“For me, it’s all about performing consistently week in, week out. Every game brings different challenges, but I want to keep performing at a high level and prove myself in the SRC.”
The new rugby season is fast approaching, and Manaseitava is ready to embrace the challenge. With ambition and unwavering determination, he will be looking to make every opportunity count.
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