Quick and athletic, Matarerenga has the makings of a top rugby or sevens player, but his decision to follow the path into football comes down to passion and family.
“My father used to play for the Fiji national team. I used to watch him play and it inspired me to choose football over rugby,” Matarerega says.
“We always watch football on our Sky Pacific, especially the Spanish League, UEFA Champions League and also the English Premier League.”
Participating in the OFC U-20 Championship, it is the rest of Fiji who will be watching the 2012 Fiji FA Junior Footballer of the Year on the box as he attempts to help his team qualify for their first FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The youngster came on early in the second period in the opening match against Vanuatu to help his side come back from a 2-0 deficit by scoring the winner with a powerful header. Against New Caledonia he smashed home a free kick before breaking through the defence on a powerful run and firing home.
Now he faces the prospect of a must-win encounter against a strong New Zealand side in the Fiji team’s most important match to date in this tournament.
“I’m feeling very excited as this will be my first time playing for my country against New Zealand,” Matarerenga says.
“Every team that comes through the championship, especially New Zealand as they are the favourites and defending champions, are tough for us. But we will do our very best to win, not only for the championship title but for the people of Fiji.”
Matarerenga says the Wellington Phoenix’s dangerous duo of Louis Fenton and Tyler Boyd have been outstanding in the Junior All Whites attack, and Fiji will have to work hard to keep them out of the game.
“It will be a challenging game for us as we are all amateurs, and they have a number of professionals in their squad. But we will give them a good run.”

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