Matson Tabaiwalu Fakavale

 

Tabs Matson

Tabai Matson.

Born: 14.05.1973 Nausori, Fiji.

Height: 6ft 4ins

Weight: 16st 5lbs.

Educated: Christ’s College and Lincoln University, Canterbury.

Playing Career: Tabai played as a centre in New Zealand  for Canterbury and Crusaders and in 1995 and 1996 played 10 matches for the All Blacks (though no Internationals) and 2 International matches for Fiji.

Coaching Career: One time Assistant  Attack and Defence Coach at Crusaders, Head Coach at Canterbury in 2012 and in 2013 became the first non-Maori to coach the Maori All Blacks. Tabai coached Fiji in 2015 before joining Bath in 2016 with Todd Blackadder.

He also coached the University of Queensland. Yamaha Jubilo (Brazil) and the Gold Coast Breakers. Tabai left Bath in 2017 for family reasons. He is now assistant coach at the Chiefs where Warren Gatland will take over as Head Coach in the 2019-20 season.

Tabai was an advocate of attacking rugby and his departure was a great loss to Bath.