Semisi Matawalu never imagined he would one day watch his son and Vodafone Fiji Bati winger Semi Valemei play at home. The native of Navidamu, Macuata, felt grateful for the opportunity that arose last weekend.
Matawalu, along with 14 other close family members, traveled from Vanua Levu to see his son compete against the Papua New Guinea Kumuls at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva. Despite the Bati losing 10-22 to the Kumuls, Matawalu was thrilled to witness Valemei score a try.
“I’ve only watched Semi on TV; I’m blessed that I got to see my son play for Fiji at home,” he expressed. “When coach Waisake Kativerata scouted him to play rugby league in Australia, I never doubted him; I knew he would be great.”
Matawalu expressed gratitude to the coach for providing Valemei with that opportunity, which has been rewarding for the family, particularly in financial terms. “He has made our family and village proud,” he added.
Valemei, now 25, covered all travel and ticket costs for his family members who came from his village to support him over the weekend. He left home in 2018 while studying at Seaqaqa Central College and joined the Caloundra Sharks in 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 debuted for the Bati in 2019 and made his NRL debut with the Canberra Raiders in 2020. Valemei signed with the North Queensland Cowboys last year and played 18 games for them in the 2024 NRL season, helping the team finish fifth on the points table.