Semisi Matawalu never imagined that he would one day watch his son, Semi Valemei, play for the Vodafone Fiji Bati at home. Last weekend, this dream became a reality when Matawalu, alongside 14 other family members, traveled from Vanua Levu to witness the match against Papua New Guinea Kumuls at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
Although the Fiji Bati lost the game 10-22, Matawalu expressed his joy in seeing Valemei score a try. “I’ve only watched Semi on TV; I’m blessed that I got to witness my son play for Fiji at home,” he shared. He reflected on how when Valemei was recruited by coach Waisake Kativerata to play rugby league in Australia, he never doubted his son’s potential. “I knew that he was going to be great. I’m thankful to the coach for giving him that opportunity; it was rewarding for our family, especially financially.”
Valemei, 25, also took care of all travel and ticket expenses for his family who traveled from his village over the weekend. He left home in 2018 while still a student at Seaqaqa Central College, joining the Caloundra Sharks in the Sunshine Coast for a year before being signed by the Canberra Raiders Under-20 team. The following year, he was included in the 30-member squad for the NRL.
He made his debut for the Bati in 2019 and his NRL debut with the Canberra Raiders in 2020, later signing with the North Queensland Cowboys last year. In the 2024 NRL season, Valemei played 18 games for the Cowboys as they finished fifth on the points table.