Matenga, who admits he is a bit of a wandering gypsy, will pack down at No8 for Bay of Plenty at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight as his side takes on Otago.
It has been a long and eventful journey for Matenga who first came to rugby notice when he came down from Christchurch Boys' High School to study at the University of Otago.
''That was a bit of a chance, really. I was at school and went on a bit of a road trip down to Queenstown. Then we decided to go and have a bit of a look at Dunedin. When we got here, we just thought this is insane, amazing. I pretty much came down here for all the atmosphere.''
Matenga headed south in 2005 and made it into the Otago academy. From there he slowly made his way through the ranks and made his debut for Otago against Canterbury at Carisbrook in 2008, coming off the bench.
He ended up playing 25 games for Otago but, come the end of 2010 and nothing on the table, he decided to head off overseas.
First point of call was Sydney where he played for a Southern Districts team.
''There was a bit of a window between seasons. I had nothing going on here and after a few years down here and not progressing as much as I could have I went off to see the world.''
He ended up in France, playing for the Mont de Marsan club, a division two club near Biarritz.
''We won the comp that first year and that was my first taste of big crowds. They called your name when you did well but when you did something wrong they booed you. But it was great fun.''
The season in France was followed by two years in Japan, playing for the Kubota Spears.
''That was with Alando Soakai, Tom Donnelly, being coached by Toutai Kefu, who was a good guy, a good coach. It's a great job.
''But it is the money really ... you were on a good wicket for a guy who had not cracked Super Rugby. You're getting triple what you get here.''
Matenga lived in Tokyo, a massive metropolis which makes cities here seem like villages, he said.
From there he decided to head home to Wellington and played two seasons for the Lions and then hooked up with the Blues.
''I had freshened up a bit, having been away from home for four years. I knew Glenn Moore having been in the Highlanders wider squad and he got me into the Blues. But he left and I decided to go back overseas.''
It was back to France and another spell with Mont de Marsan, as the club happily had him back. Following that, he played a season for Madrid-based club Alcobendas.
''I needed to have a sabbatical but my name is not Richie McCaw. I can't decide when I can have a break. But the body needed a recharge and I lived the Spanish life for a while. Played some rugby, and had a few siestas.''
At the end of that, Bay of Plenty coach Clayton McMillan got in touch and asked Matenga if he wanted to come back to New Zealand.
So now the 31-year-old is back in New Zealand rugby, living in Mount Manganui and enjoying life. He is in the first year of a two-year deal with Bay of Plenty.
He admitted playing at Carisbrook seemed a long time ago but things have changed.
''These days you see kids, young guys, getting five-year deals from Super franchises. That was unheard of back when I was young. But I have always wanted to see the world. Experience different cultures.
''A lot of guys in New Zealand tend to go overseas when they are older and have family. I have just done it round the other way.''
He said all sides right around the world were the same in many ways.
''Everyone tries to be a family. Have those close family mentalities. I'm not great with languages. French all I can say is 'a bottle of red wine please'.
''I had a translator follow me round in Japan so I was quite lazy.
''But you travel the world and you realise what a great place New Zealand is - clean, green, just so easy to go to the beach. In places like Tokyo and Madrid they don't even know what a backyard is.''
As a player, Matenga said you got wiser as you got older, a little less frantic and know the easier routes on the field.
Matenga and mates Matiu Walters and Eli Paewai played for the winning University colts team, coached by John Leslie and Josh Kronfeld, way back in 2005. They also founded the band, Six60, which has gone on to big things.
''We played in Auckland against North Harbour this year and after the game I caught up with Matiu. We went into the studio and played a bit of music. It was great catching up.''
So did he make the wrong choice? Giving up the bass guitar for the rugby boots.
''When you are getting thumped by 40 points then sometimes, yes. But I've had some great experiences and I'm so pleased for those guys and all their success.
'' I'm still great mates with all of them. It's always great to see family and friends do so well.
''You've got to live when you can. I have never been one of those guys to sit back and watch. I like to go out and do new stuff.''