THE man who kicked the winning penalty to seal victory for Drua in his debut game against the Crusaders in Round 3 of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season – Kemu Valetini – has marked his name as one of the most adored rugby players in the hearts of many Fijians.
“A solid No.10”, “a natural first five eight in his own right”, “a rising star” are some of the many compliments he received on social media by those who have watched him play right from a semi-professional level to donning the Drua jersey.
Born and bred in Melbourne, Australia, the 29-year-old from Galoa, Kadavu began his rugby career for the Melbourne Rising in 2018, before joining the Valladoid Rugby Asociación in 2019 – 2020 representing Valladoid RAC in Spain.
It was in Manly when he impressed coaches and got picked by the Drua on a short-term contract.
Trained with the full Rebels side while in Australia, Valetini has managed to acquire what he has gathered so far in terms of rugby knowledge and experience with the help of good people, and aims to be consistently better, not only professionally, but personally as well.
What he is not good at? Speaking the Fijian dialect.
“Yeah, so I grew up in Australia so obviously English is the spoken language, but our dad would speak Fijian to us, but we couldn’t pick up the language,” he said with a laugh.
“I’ve been living in Fiji for almost a year and a half now and I still haven’t set foot in Kadavu, but I’m planning on it though. Just need to find the time to.”
So far, everything is starting to gel well as preparations are underway and Kemu is excited to start the season.
But what makes him — him?
“I love a good chicken curry,” he laughs again.
“I love wearing loose clothes, nothing too tight.”
“I was pretty adventurous when I was a kid. I was kind of always out there, but at the same time, and extrovert as well…sorta haha.
“I would spend my time just visiting friends’ houses and just chilling with them.”
When asked who was usually the cheeky one in the team, Valetini agreed to what the squad and management thought.
“Peni Matawalu hahaha!”
In addition to scoring tries, kicking can also be the difference between winning and losing a game and for Valetini , it means serious business.
“It’s the biggest part of what I can bring to the team. Regardless of the outcomes, kicking for me is a big part.
“And the goal I have is to take it week by week.
“Can’t look too far forward in this competition and just focus on staying fit and healthy.
“But most importantly, I’m just truly blessed and grateful to be in this position I’m in.
“But growing up I thought I could figure things out on my own, but as you grow up you live and you learn.
“But for now to the kids reading this, listen to your parents.
“They are the ones who know you better and have and will be supportive of you just like how my parents have been with me.”
