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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
{{Infobox rugby biography
| image =
| image = File:Viliame Mata 2022.jpg
| image_size =
| image_size =
| caption =
| caption =
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| amatyears1 =
| amatyears1 =
| amatteam1 =
| amatteam1 =
| years1 = 2016–
| years1 = 2016–2024
| clubs1 = [[Edinburgh Rugby]]
| clubs1 = [[Edinburgh Rugby]]
| apps1 = 101
| apps1 = 136
| points1 = 75
| points1 = 105
| years2 = 2024–
⚫
| ru_clubupdate = 31 October 2022
| clubs2 = [[Bristol Bears]]
| apps2 = 0
| points2 = 0
⚫
| ru_clubupdate = 27 June 2024
| repteam1 = [[Fiji national rugby union team|Fiji]]
| repteam1 = [[Fiji national rugby union team|Fiji]]
| repyears1 = 2017–
| repyears1 = 2017–
| repcaps1 = 19
| repcaps1 = 29
| reppoints1 = 25
| reppoints1 = 30
| ru_ntupdate = 31 May 2022
| ru_ntupdate = 27 June 2024
| ru_sevensnationalyears1 = 2013–2016
| ru_sevensnationalyears1 = 2013–2016
| ru_sevensnationalteam1 = [[Fiji national rugby sevens team|Fiji 7]]'s
| ru_sevensnationalteam1 = [[Fiji national rugby sevens team|Fiji 7]]'s
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}}
}}


'''Viliame Sevaka Mata''' (born 22 October 1991) is a Fijian [[rugby union]] player <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.worldrugby.org/sevens-series/stage/1620/teams/2413 | title = FIJI 7S Squads | author = [[2015–16 World Rugby Sevens Series|World Rugby Sevens Series]] | date = 4 December 2015 | access-date = 18 December 2015}}</ref> currently playing for [[Scotland]] based [[United Rugby Championship]] side [[Edinburgh Rugby]].
'''Viliame Sevaka Mata''' (born 22 October 1991)<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.worldrugby.org/sevens-series/stage/1620/teams/2413 | title = FIJI 7S Squads | author = [[2015–16 World Rugby Sevens Series|World Rugby Sevens Series]] | date = 4 December 2015 | access-date = 18 December 2015}}</ref> is a [[Fiji national rugby union team|Fijian]] rugby union player who currently plays for [[Bristol Bears]] in the [[Premiership Rugby|Gallagher Premiership]].

He made his debut for {{nrut7|Fiji}} at the [[2014 Wellington Sevens]].

Since joining Edinburgh Rugby, Mata has been affectionately known as "Big Bill" Mata<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/18/04/13/interview-whats-mata |title=INTERVIEW {{!}} What's the Mata? {{!}} Edinburgh Rugby |website=www.edinburghrugby.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111055210/http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/18/04/13/interview-whats-mata |archive-date=2019-01-11}} </ref> owing to his power and ability to break through defences.


==Career==
==Career==
Mata was born and raised in Nauluvatau, a small village in Nakelo, [[Tailevu]]<ref name="fiji_BigB">{{Cite web | title = Big Bill Ready For Olympics | work = fijisun.com.fj | access-date = 11 September 2017 | url = http://fijisun.com.fj/2016/07/18/big-bill-ready-for-olympics }}</ref> and was selected by [[Ben Ryan (rugby union)|Ben Ryan]] to represent the Fiji sevens team to the [[2014 Wellington Sevens]] as a replacement for [[Pio Tuwai]].<ref name="fijiOneMata">{{Cite web | title = Mata jets out to Wellington at this hour | work = Fiji One | access-date = 11 September 2017 | url = http://fijione.tv/mata-jets-out-to-wellington-at-this-hour}}</ref>
Mata was born and raised in Nauluvatau, a small village in Nakelo, [[Tailevu]]<ref name="fiji_BigB">{{Cite web | title = Big Bill Ready For Olympics | work = fijisun.com.fj | access-date = 11 September 2017 | url = http://fijisun.com.fj/2016/07/18/big-bill-ready-for-olympics }}</ref> and was selected by [[Ben Ryan (rugby union)|Ben Ryan]] to represent the Fiji sevens team to the [[2014 Wellington Sevens]] as a replacement for [[Pio Tuwai]].<ref name="fijiOneMata">{{Cite web | title = Mata jets out to Wellington at this hour | work = Fiji One | access-date = 11 September 2017 | url = http://fijione.tv/mata-jets-out-to-wellington-at-this-hour}}</ref>


Mata is a former professional [[rugby league]] footballer who went on to play for champion local 7's side, Davetalevu.<ref name="fiji_Mata">{{Cite web | title = Mata's 7s series debut – Fiji Times Online | work = fijitimes.com | access-date = 11 September 2017 | url = http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=259356}}</ref> He studied at [[Suva Grammar School]] before moving to [[Ratu Kadavulevu School]].<ref name="fiji_Drea">{{Cite web | title = Dream comes true | author = Maciu Malo | work = [[Fiji Times]] | access-date = 11 September 2017 | url = http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=364010 }}</ref>
Mata is a former professional [[Rugby union|rugby]] footballer who went on to play for champion local 7's side, Davetalevu.<ref name="fiji_Mata">{{Cite web | title = Mata's 7s series debut – Fiji Times Online | work = fijitimes.com | access-date = 11 September 2017 | url = http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=259356}}</ref> He studied at [[Suva Grammar School]] before moving to [[Ratu Kadavulevu School]].<ref name="fiji_Drea">{{Cite web | title = Dream comes true | author = Maciu Malo | work = [[Fiji Times]] | access-date = 11 September 2017 | url = http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=364010 }}</ref>


Mata made the final Fiji squad for the [[Rugby sevens at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2016 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="fiji_Fiji">{{Cite web | title = Fiji 7s team to Rio Olympics announced | last = Limited | first = Communications Fiji | work = fijivillage.com | date = 17 July 2016 | access-date = 11 September 2017 | url = http://fijivillage.com/news-feature/Fiji-7s-team-to-Rio-Olympics-announced--2skr95 }}</ref>
Mata made the final Fiji squad for the [[Rugby sevens at the 2016 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2016 Summer Olympics]]<ref name="fiji_Fiji">{{Cite web | title = Fiji 7s team to Rio Olympics announced | last = Limited | first = Communications Fiji | work = fijivillage.com | date = 17 July 2016 | access-date = 11 September 2017 | url = http://fijivillage.com/news-feature/Fiji-7s-team-to-Rio-Olympics-announced--2skr95 }}</ref> where he won a gold medal for Fiji in rugby 7s. Has also represented the [[Flying Fijians]] at the 2019 and 2023 [[Rugby World Cup]].


In July 2016, Mata signed for [[Pro14|Pro12]] side, [[Edinburgh Rugby|Edinburgh]] for two-years and he joined the side after helping Fiji win Gold at the Olympics <ref name="bbc._Vili">{{Cite news | title = Viliame Mata: Edinburgh Rugby sign Fiji Olympic gold medallist | work = BBC Sport | access-date = 11 September 2017 | url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/37280010 }}</ref> but his visa-expired a year later as he was not capped internationally for Fiji and visas for player not capped by Kolpak countries were only for a year, he had to return to Fiji and get capped by the Fiji 15's team. He made his test debut against [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] on June 10 playing off the bench. He played 3 more tests for Fiji off the bench which allowed him to lodge a visa application to extend his visa to Scotland. He returned to Scotland in September 2017 and became a regular starter for the team.
In July 2016, Mata signed for [[Pro14|Pro12]] side, [[Edinburgh Rugby|Edinburgh]] for two-years and he joined the side after helping Fiji win Gold at the Olympics <ref name="bbc._Vili">{{Cite news | title = Viliame Mata: Edinburgh Rugby sign Fiji Olympic gold medallist | work = BBC Sport | access-date = 11 September 2017 | url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/37280010 }}</ref> but his visa-expired a year later as he was not capped internationally for Fiji and visas for player not capped by Kolpak countries were only for a year, he had to return to Fiji and get capped by the Fiji 15's team. He made his test debut against [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] on June 10 playing off the bench. He played 3 more tests for Fiji off the bench which allowed him to lodge a visa application to extend his visa to Scotland. He returned to Scotland in September 2017 and became a regular starter for the team.
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{{Fiji rugby sevens squad 2016 Summer Olympics}}
{{Fiji rugby sevens squad 2016 Summer Olympics}}
{{Fiji Squad 2019 Rugby World Cup}}
{{Fiji Squad 2019 Rugby World Cup}}
{{Fiji 2023 Rugby World Cup squad}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Mata, Viliame}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mata, Viliame}}
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[[Category:Fijian rugby union players]]
[[Category:Fijian rugby union players]]
[[Category:Fiji international rugby sevens players]]
[[Category:Fiji international rugby sevens players]]
[[Category:People from Tailevu Province]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Tailevu Province]]
[[Category:1991 births]]
[[Category:1991 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:Male rugby sevens players]]
[[Category:Male rugby sevens players]]
[[Category:Rugby sevens players at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Rugby sevens players at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic rugby sevens players of Fiji]]
[[Category:Olympic rugby sevens players for Fiji]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for Fiji]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for Fiji]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in rugby sevens]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in rugby sevens]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2016 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Edinburgh Rugby players]]
[[Category:Edinburgh Rugby players]]
[[Category:Expatriate rugby union players in Scotland]]
[[Category:Fijian expatriate rugby union players in Scotland]]
⚫
[[Category:Fijian expatriate rugby union players]]
[[Category:People educated at Suva Grammar School]]
[[Category:People educated at Suva Grammar School]]
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[[Category:2019 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2023 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:Pacific Games gold medalists for Fiji]]
[[Category:Pacific Games medalists in rugby sevens]]

Revision as of 15:25, 27 June 2024

Viliame Mata
Birth nameViliame Sevaka Mata
Date of birth (1991-10-22) 22 October 1991 (age 32)
Place of birthNauluvatau, Nakelo, Tailevu, Fiji
Height1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
Weight116 kg (256 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, Lock, Number 8
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016–2024 Edinburgh Rugby 136 (105)
2024– Bristol Bears 0 (0)
Correct as of 27 June 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017– Fidschi 29 (30)
Correct as of 27 June 2024
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
2013–2016 Fiji 7's 10 (60)
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  Fidschi
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2016 Rio de Janeiro Team competition

Viliame Sevaka Mata (born 22 October 1991)[1] is a Fijian rugby union player who currently plays for Bristol Bears in the Gallagher Premiership.

Career

Mata was born and raised in Nauluvatau, a small village in Nakelo, Tailevu[2] and was selected by Ben Ryan to represent the Fiji sevens team to the 2014 Wellington Sevens as a replacement for Pio Tuwai.[3]

Mata is a former professional rugby footballer who went on to play for champion local 7's side, Davetalevu.[4] He studied at Suva Grammar School before moving to Ratu Kadavulevu School.[5]

Mata made the final Fiji squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics[6] where he won a gold medal for Fiji in rugby 7s. Has also represented the Flying Fijians at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup.

In July 2016, Mata signed for Pro12 side, Edinburgh for two-years and he joined the side after helping Fiji win Gold at the Olympics [7] but his visa-expired a year later as he was not capped internationally for Fiji and visas for player not capped by Kolpak countries were only for a year, he had to return to Fiji and get capped by the Fiji 15's team. He made his test debut against Australia on June 10 playing off the bench. He played 3 more tests for Fiji off the bench which allowed him to lodge a visa application to extend his visa to Scotland. He returned to Scotland in September 2017 and became a regular starter for the team.

In December 2017, he signed an extension to stay at Edinburgh Rugby until 2020.[8] At the end of the 2018/19 Pro14 season, Mata was named the Guinness PRO14 the Players’ Player of the Season.

References

  1. ^ World Rugby Sevens Series (4 December 2015). "FIJI 7S Squads". Retrieved 18 December 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Big Bill Ready For Olympics". fijisun.com.fj. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  3. ^ "Mata jets out to Wellington at this hour". Fiji One. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Mata's 7s series debut – Fiji Times Online". fijitimes.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  5. ^ Maciu Malo. "Dream comes true". Fiji Times. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  6. ^ Limited, Communications Fiji (17 July 2016). "Fiji 7s team to Rio Olympics announced". fijivillage.com. Retrieved 11 September 2017. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  7. ^ "Viliame Mata: Edinburgh Rugby sign Fiji Olympic gold medallist". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  8. ^ "Edinburgh forwards Luke Crosbie & Viliame Mata commit to club". BBC Sport. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
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