Joshua MATAVESI
Redruth,United Kingdom
Summary
A seasoned rugby professional with elite multilingual communication skills, fluent in Fijian and proficient in French and Japanese, facilitating seamless cultural adaptation and team cohesion. Renowned for play making vision and game management, offering tactical organisation and decision-making under pressure. A reliable left-footed kicker with high accuracy at international levels, providing strategic territorial advantage. Known for powerful ball-carrying abilities, creating front-foot momentum and continuity in attack. Demonstrates robust defensive leadership across various systems, with versatility in multiple positions. Esteemed for professionalism and mentorship, having captained teams to success in Japan while fostering squad unity through cultural initiatives.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Fiji
- Became Fiji's youngest-ever international player, debuting at 19 years old in 2009 vs Scotland.
- Competed in 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups.
- Played across 10/12/13/15, offering rare multi-positional value at Test level.
- Represented Barbarians F.C. in 2018 — A mark of global recognition and respect.
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Osaka – Japan
01.2023 - 11.2025
- Serving as a senior leader and influential play maker in Japan Rugby League One.
- Continues to guide younger Japanese talent, offering structure, professionalism, and international experience.
- Recognised for calmness under pressure, kicking accuracy, and tactical control of the backline.
- Maintains versatility across 10/12/13/15 with left-footed kicking that adds strategic balance.
Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi – Japan
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Recruited to Japan for experience, leadership, and physical presence in a fast-paced league.
- Tasked specifically with developing younger Japanese players, providing mentoring and cultural/bilingual support.
- Captained the side during a successful period and led the team to two promotion seasons, demonstrating strong leadership and adaptability.
- Gained strong Japanese language abilities and became a cultural bridge within the squad.
Bath Rugby
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Joined mid-season and made an immediate impact with experience, toughness, and versatility.
- Named again in the League's Best XV as 12 of the Season, reinforcing reputation as one of the most effective centres in the Premiership/PRO14 era.
- Brought crucial stability during periods of squad transition and heavy fixture demands.
- Valued for leadership, professionalism, and ability to manage games across multiple backline positions.
Newcastle Falcons
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Signed as a senior playmaker during one of the club's strongest Premiership eras.
- Delivered powerful performances at 12/13/15, contributing to Falcons' attacking shape and defensive systems.
- Earned the title of European Centre of the Year, confirming his status among the competition's top midfielders.
- Provided left-footed tactical kicking balance and experience during tight Premiership battles.
Ospreys
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Enjoyed one of the best periods of his career, becoming a PRO14 standout and a fan favourite.
- Achieved the rare accomplishment of playing 34 consecutive 80-minute matches, highlighting durability, fitness, and elite consistency.
- Named in the League's Best XV as the #12 of the Season, recognising his dominance as a centre.
- Excelled as both a powerful carrier and a secondary fly-half, balancing physicality with tactical intelligence.
- Played key roles in European Champions Cup campaigns and served as an on-field leader for younger Welsh backs.
Worcester Warriors
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Became a regular Premiership starter and a central figure in Worcester's backline.
- Took on key playmaking responsibilities at 10 and 12, demonstrating composure and tactical growth.
- Improved goal-kicking consistency and delivered several standout performances under pressure.
- Known for power in contact and a reliable defensive presence.
Racing 92
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Joined the Top 14 giants as a young international prospect, competing in one of Europe's deepest and most physical leagues.
- Played alongside world-class internationals and developed advanced tactical understanding in the French system.
- Accelerated French language proficiency, which later contributed to successful stints in other global rugby cultures.
Exeter Chiefs
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Became Exeter's youngest-ever professional player, signing senior terms at just 17 years old.
- Broke into Premiership rugby as a teenager, earning rapid respect for maturity, physicality, and game management beyond his age.
- Built strong foundations in decision-making, distribution, and defensive organisation during Exeter's key development years.
- Demonstrated early leadership qualities that later defined his professional career.
Education
Diploma of Higher Education - Sports performance
Truro College
Truro 09.2006 - 06.2008
Skills
- Elite Multilingual Communication & Cultural Adaptability
- Fluent in Fijian, strong speaker of French and Japanese, enabling clear communication in diverse squads
- Skilled at translating tactical detail and game plans across cultures — especially valuable in France and Japan
- Proven ability to mentor and develop younger players by removing language barriers and simplifying complex rugby concepts
- Acts as a cultural bridge within teams, strengthening squad cohesion, clarity, and professionalism
- Play making Vision & Game Management (10/12)
- Experienced tactical organiser with the ability to run both structured and unstructured systems
- Reliable first or second receiver, offering width, variety, and deception
- Strong understanding of space, timing, and decision-making under pressure
- Trusted by coaches to manage closing stages of matches due to calmness and maturity
- Left-Footed Tactical & Goal Kicking (~85%)
- Offers rare left-footed balance for territorial kicking, exit strategies, and backfield coverage
- Experienced goal kicker with consistently high accuracy at international and Premiership level
- Physical Ball-Carrying & Gain-Line Impact
- Effective at offloading in contact and creating continuity in multi-phase attack
- Professionalism, Mentorship & Leadership
- Served as team captain in Japan, guiding squad to two promotion seasons through leadership and standards-setting
- Well respected for work ethic, routine, and the example set for younger players
- Frequently chosen by coaches to lead cultural, off-field, and team-building elements due to multilingual abilities and personality
- High rugby intelligence developed across Premiership, PRO14, Top 14, and Japanese rugby systems
Languages
Languages: English (native), Fijian (fluent), French (very good), Japanese (very good)
Affiliations
- spending time with wife and children
Custom
- Cornish–Fijian International Back
- Positions: 10
- 12
- 13
- 15
- Left-Footed International Goal Kicker (~85%)
- Height: 1.88 m | Weight: 105 kg
- International Caps: 47 for Fiji
Timeline
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Osaka – Japan
01.2023 - 11.2025
Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi – Japan
01.2021 - 01.2023
Bath Rugby
01.2020 - 01.2021
Newcastle Falcons
01.2017 - 01.2020
Ospreys
01.2014 - 01.2017
Worcester Warriors
01.2012 - 01.2014
Racing 92
01.2011 - 01.2012
Exeter Chiefs
01.2009 - 01.2011
Diploma of Higher Education - Sports performance
Truro College
09.2006 - 06.2008
Fiji