Josh Matavesi
Encyclopedia
Joshua Lewis Matavesi is a British
rugby union
footballer of Fijian descent
. He is a utility back, and currently represents Racing Metro 92 in the Top 14, and Fiji
in international rugby. He has personally said that he feels Cornish
, not English
, and identifies himself as "Cornish Fijian". He is 6'1 and weighs 95 kg. He has a younger brother, Sam Matavesi who plays for and studies at Truro College
.
, Lau Group, Fiji
, toured the United Kingdom
as a Fiji Barbarian
in 1987 where he met his wife, Karen. He was offered a contract by the Camborne RFC
. Josh also played rugby for the same club as his father. He also played for Mounts Bay RFC in the National Division Two. He also played for Truro College
and has also made a handful of appearances for Exeter United. In December 2008, he was called-up to the England Under-20 squad for the 2009 Six Nations Under-20 tournament. He was signed on by the Exeter Chiefs
in August 2009 before making his debut against Sale Sharks
at fullback. Josh played in the 2010 Junior World Championship with Fiji
U20s in Argentina
. It was recently announced that he had signed on for Racing Métro 92 in the Top 14 competition as a medical joker i.e. replacement for the injured flyhalf, Juan Martin Hernandez
. He made his Top 14 debut off the bench against SU Agen in April 2011.
for the 2009 Autumn Internationals against Scotland
, Ireland
and Romania
. He replaced Kameli Ratuvou
who wasn't available. He made his debut against Scotland
playing at fullback and was replaced in the second-half. He came off the bench against Ireland, replacing Norman Ligairi
at fullback and played well but in the final test against Romania, he started at flyhalf because Fiji's first choice 10, Nicky Little
had already returned to his club along with a few other players. He was the toast for the Fiji side as they defeated the Romanians 29 - 18 with Matavesi scoring 9 points and converting 3 of the 4 tries.
He was part of Fiji's U20 team in the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship
in June 2010. In October, he was selected again in to the Fiji team to take part in Fiji's end of year rugby tour
to Europe.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
footballer of Fijian descent
Fijian people
Fijian people are the major indigenous people of the Fiji Islands, and live in an area informally called Melanesia. The Fijian people are believed to have arrived in Fiji from western Melanesia approximately 3,500 years ago, though the exact origins of the Fijian people are unknown...
. He is a utility back, and currently represents Racing Metro 92 in the Top 14, and Fiji
Fiji national rugby union team
The Fiji national rugby union team is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance formerly along with Samoa and Tonga. In 2009, Samoa announced their departure from the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, leaving just Fiji and Tonga. Fiji are ranked sixteenth in the world by the IRB as of 26...
in international rugby. He has personally said that he feels Cornish
Cornish people
The Cornish are a people associated with Cornwall, a county and Duchy in the south-west of the United Kingdom that is seen in some respects as distinct from England, having more in common with the other Celtic parts of the United Kingdom such as Wales, as well as with other Celtic nations in Europe...
, not English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, and identifies himself as "Cornish Fijian". He is 6'1 and weighs 95 kg. He has a younger brother, Sam Matavesi who plays for and studies at Truro College
Truro College
Truro College is a tertiary institution located in Truro, Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. Following an exchange of governing bodies, Truro College merged with Penwith College in April 2008—the combined institution is known as Truro and Penwith College, though the sites retain their original names...
.
Early life and domestic rugby
His father, Sireli Matavesi, who is from Vanua BalavuVanua Balavu
Vanua Balavu is the second largest island in Fiji's Lau archipelago , and the main island of the Northern Lau Group.-Geography and infrastructure:...
, Lau Group, Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
, toured the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
as a Fiji Barbarian
Fiji Barbarians
The Fiji Barbarians are a Fijian rugby union team.They are one of the two Fijian teams that take part in the Pacific Rugby Cup competition, the other being the Fiji Warriors...
in 1987 where he met his wife, Karen. He was offered a contract by the Camborne RFC
Camborne RFC
Camborne RFC were established in 1878, and are one of the most famous rugby union clubs in Cornwall. They currently play in the Western Counties West division and their club colours are Cherry and White...
. Josh also played rugby for the same club as his father. He also played for Mounts Bay RFC in the National Division Two. He also played for Truro College
Truro College
Truro College is a tertiary institution located in Truro, Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. Following an exchange of governing bodies, Truro College merged with Penwith College in April 2008—the combined institution is known as Truro and Penwith College, though the sites retain their original names...
and has also made a handful of appearances for Exeter United. In December 2008, he was called-up to the England Under-20 squad for the 2009 Six Nations Under-20 tournament. He was signed on by the Exeter Chiefs
Exeter Chiefs
Exeter Rugby Club are a rugby union club based in Exeter, Devon.The Exeter club was formed around 1871 and played its first match in 1873. The first team has been rebranded as the Exeter Chiefs and play in a strip of Black , White ....
in August 2009 before making his debut against Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union club who play in England in the Aviva Premiership.The club is an offshoot of Sale FC, which is based at Heywood Road in Sale, Greater Manchester, but Sharks currently play in Stockport at Edgeley Park, ground sharing with Stockport County F.C.Part of the...
at fullback. Josh played in the 2010 Junior World Championship with Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
U20s in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. It was recently announced that he had signed on for Racing Métro 92 in the Top 14 competition as a medical joker i.e. replacement for the injured flyhalf, Juan Martin Hernandez
Juan Martín Hernández
Juan Martín Hernández is an Argentine rugby union player. A mainstay of the Argentina national team, he currently plays for the Paris club Racing Métro in the French Top 14 competition. His 2010 move to Racing brought him back to the city where he had begun his professional career in 2003 with...
. He made his Top 14 debut off the bench against SU Agen in April 2011.
International career
He got the shock of his life when in November 2009, he was called to join the Fiji teamFiji national rugby union team
The Fiji national rugby union team is a member of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance formerly along with Samoa and Tonga. In 2009, Samoa announced their departure from the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, leaving just Fiji and Tonga. Fiji are ranked sixteenth in the world by the IRB as of 26...
for the 2009 Autumn Internationals against Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
, Ireland
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
and Romania
Romania national rugby union team
The Romania national rugby union team , nicknamed The Oaks , is the representative side of Romania in rugby union. Long considered one of the stronger European teams outside the Six Nations, they have participated in all six Rugby World Cups, and currently compete in the first division of the...
. He replaced Kameli Ratuvou
Kameli Ratuvou
-Career:He is currently playing for professional English club, Saracens he joined the squad from Fiji for the 2006/07 season. His usual position is on the wing even though he can also play at centre and fullback...
who wasn't available. He made his debut against Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
playing at fullback and was replaced in the second-half. He came off the bench against Ireland, replacing Norman Ligairi
Norman Ligairi
Norman Armstrong Senibici Ligairi is a Fijian rugby union player who usually plays as a fullback. He represents Fiji at international level in both the 15-a-side and 7-a-side game...
at fullback and played well but in the final test against Romania, he started at flyhalf because Fiji's first choice 10, Nicky Little
Nicky Little
Nicky Tyrone Little in Tokoroa, New Zealand, is a rugby union footballer. He plays at fly-half. He is a nephew of All Blacks centre Walter Little, but represents Fiji at international level.-Career:...
had already returned to his club along with a few other players. He was the toast for the Fiji side as they defeated the Romanians 29 - 18 with Matavesi scoring 9 points and converting 3 of the 4 tries.
He was part of Fiji's U20 team in the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship
2010 IRB Junior World Championship
The 2010 IRB Junior World Championship was the third annual international rugby union competition for Under 20 national teams, this competition replaced the now defunct under 19 and under 21 world championships. The event was organised by rugby's governing body, the International Rugby Board...
in June 2010. In October, he was selected again in to the Fiji team to take part in Fiji's end of year rugby tour
2010 end of year rugby tests
The 2010 end of year rugby tests, also known as the Autumn internationals in the northern hemisphere, will see Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and tour the northern hemisphere. Test matches will also be arranged involving the various Pacific island teams and other non-Tier 1...
to Europe.