Matavesi promoted to Leading Hand in the Royal Navy.

The Royal Navy made a surprise visit to the FIJI Water Flying Fijians training ground at the London Irish base to announce the ‘battlefield promotion’ of hooker Sam Matavesi to the rank of Local Acting Leading Hand.

The 31-year-old was caught by surprise as the Chair of Royal Navy Rugby Union Rear Admiral Steve Moorhouse and his team honored Sam with a new rank in front of the FIJI Water Flying Fijians team.

Moorhouse said “Exceptional dedication, unwavering commitment, and outstanding leadership displayed by Matavesi both on and off the field have earned him this incredible recognition from the Royal Navy.”

He further added “The promotion to Local Acting Leading Hand is an ambassadorial role to recognise the status The Royal Navy holds Sam in, and cherish the support and commitment Sam shows to the Royal Navy.”

Being a member of the Royal Navy Elite Player Programme, Matavesi earned his first Royal Navy Rugby cap in 2017 and has earned 12 to date. He took the leap from Cornish Pirates to Premiership side Northampton Saints in 2019, having also been selected for the FIJI Water Flying Fijians World Cup squad that same year.

Since then Matavesi has been named the UK Armed Forces Sportsman of the Year for 2020, helped Navy Rugby to win the Inter Service Championship beating The Army at Twickenham in 2023, and has been called up to the Flying Fijians once again for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Matavesi who currently is preparing for his second Rugby World Cup said “When I joined the Royal Navy I had given up on playing rugby professionally and focused on a career and some stability for a young family.”

“It’s crazy that a few years on and I’m about to go to my second Rugby World Cup how things have changed. I thank my beautiful family, friends, and people who have helped and encouraged me in the Royal Navy and gone above and beyond” said Matavesi.

On behalf of the Royal Navy, Moorhouse wished Matavesi and the rest of the FIJI Water Flying Fijians the best of luck, and great success at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.