Mata feels ‘truly blessed’ after signing new Edinburgh deal
Viliame Mata says he feels “truly blessed” after tying his future to Edinburgh by signing a new contract.
The popular No 8 joined the club in 2016 after helping Fiji win gold at the Olympic Sevens in Rio but he admitted he struggled to settle in Scotland and wasn’t sure whether he would last at the capital club.
He credits the club’s strength and conditioning (S&C) staff and head coach Richard
Cockerill for helping him turn things around.
The 29-year-old has developed into a key player for Edinburgh, one who provides the “x-factor”, according to Cockerill. His influence saw him nominated for the European Player of the Year and named Guinness Pro14 Players' Player of the Year in 2018/19.
Mata, who is now settled in Edinburgh with his wife, Wati, and two children, Vinny (6) and Bill Junior (2), said: “I feel truly blessed and I thank God for another opportunity to extend our stay here in Edin
burgh. Edinburgh Rugby is heading to a good stage right now and I think we’re building together well as a team. Since I started with Edinburgh Rugby,
I’ve felt my rugby has progressed season after season, so staying with the club means I can hopefully progress even more and aim higher than where I am now.
“All the staff have been really helpful, especially the S&C who have created a personal programme for me to suit my recovery and physical needs.
“To be honest, in my second season, I wasn’t sure I’d last long in Edinburgh, maybe because of the difference in weather and being so far from home, but we feel truly blessed that we’re still here and that my family now call Edinburgh ‘home’. After the second year, Cockers came in and the S&C programme started to change. I felt I had a bit more in me that I could show. Since then, I’ve been grabbing every opportunity. That’s why I’m still here now and staying for more.”
Since arriving in Edinburgh Mata has made 81 appearances for the club, earned 17 caps for his country and become one of the most sought-after signatures in the game.
Cockerill said: “We’re delighted to be able to extend Bill’s contract. He’s a player of undeniable talent and brings a real x-factor to the side.”