About the beauty of his homeland
How Ernie Merrick is a father figure as well as a coach
Why it took him until 26 to crack the A-League
How he learned to stop being hot-headed
What he would be doing if he wasn't a professional footballer
How his love of family helps psyche him up for games
How are you enjoying life at the top of the table?
Oh, it's amazing. Being at the top of the table is unbelievable, but, you know, the job's not yet done. We've got five more games and the results are very important and we're playing some good teams, so we'll see what happens.
What's the most beautiful thing about your homeland, Fiji?
Everything. The people, my family, the food, the scenery. Everyone I know who goes there for a holiday gives me a positive response. I've got a few mates who have been there and they talk about how friendly the people are and how much they liked the food and everything else. It's a beautiful country and I'm lucky enough to be a part of Fiji.
How often do you get back there?
Probably after the season finishes, in the off-season.
Your coach at Wellington, Ernie Merrick, is in his 60s, so he's obviously one of the older coaches in the A-League. Is he a father figure to you, as well as a coach?
Of course. He's a father figure, especially for me. He's a good coach and he's taught me a lot. There's still a lot to be learned under him, but I'm enjoying every moment of it.
Is he someone you can go and talk to if you've got a problem?
Yes. I'm very open with him and he's very open with me and whenever I talk to him I'm very comfortable with him. He's helped me a lot.
How big a buzz is it for you, scoring goals in the A-League?
Oh, I'm lucky enough to get nine goals this season and I'm doing more at Phoenix now that I've settled down. Hopefully, I can get a couple more. I feel it suits me more trying to finish from within the box rather than try to score a 'screamer' from outside, but they feel good no matter how they go in.
You were 26 when you made your A-League debut last year. Why did it take so long? What were the circumstances?
I came down to Wellington a few years ago when Ricki Herbert was here as coach, but I wasn't lucky enough then. They were looking for a target man and they found Paul Ifill. Then I went to the North Queensland Fury and they said they already had enough forwards, so luck was not on my side. But, then, that's football and I knew that if I kept trying my turn was going to come and it did.
How hard did you work on improving as a player, to give yourself a better chance next time?
I worked hard. When I wasn't selected I was disappointed, but I went back to Waitakere United and started from scratch again. I started scoring goals, which was important for my future, and then I moved to Auckland City. I was lucky enough to do well there and things started to change for me.
What is it like for a person from Fiji living in Wellington, where it can be very windy, or raining, or often both?
It was difficult to start with. I'd been in Auckland for four years and coming down here was quite different with the wind and everything. But I came here for football. That's what I love and everything's coming together and I'm enjoying every moment of it now.
Considering how many goals you're scoring and how dangerous you are up front, opposition central defenders would be paying you a lot more attention now. Are they coming up with any dirty tricks or getting in your ear and saying things?
Not really, you know. Before, I was a bit hot-headed and if people passed comment I would have reacted a lot. But I learned from when I was playing amateur football and I used to get sent off. Playing under Ernie, he's told me these things are going to happen, but you've just got to enjoy it out there and that's what I'm doing. If anything happens I try not to react and I've become a lot better at that.
Who is your favourite movie star?
Will Smith is one of my favourites. I've never had a haircut like he did in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, I'm just a simple guy, but I like him in movies and on TV. He's a funny actor.
Is there anything you would rather be than a professional footballer - a rock star, perhaps?
I have no idea what I would be doing without football. Maybe cutting sugar-cane, or maybe I would've done an apprenticeship as an electrician, but I was lucky enough to get into football. This is my dream job. I'm not interested in doing anything else - not even a rock star!
How do you psyche yourself up for games?
I talk to my family, because they're very important to me. I ring my mum and dad back home in Fiji before every game and ask for their point of view - how they're feeling about me and how things are going back home.
I like to look at pictures of my family before games. It's for them that I'm here. I'm doing this for them, especially. I want to make them proud. It fires me up for games, because it reminds me why I'm here and why I'm doing this.
It gives me more focus on the game and trying to get a win and score goals, because it's for them. It's mostly about family for me, but I also like to watch videos of Ronaldinho. He's my favourite player.
