Iosefo Masikau Baleiwairiki, also known as Iosefo Masikau or Iosefo Masi, was born on 9 May 1998 and is a Fijian professional rugby union footballer. He currently plays for the Fijian Drua team in the Super Rugby competition.
Masikau initially made a name for himself in rugby sevens. He represented Fiji and achieved notable success in international tournaments. He won a gold medal for Fiji at the 2020 Summer Olympics, showcasing his talent and contributing to Fiji's victory. Masikau also had a standout performance at the 2020 Fiji Bitter Marist 7s tournament, which led to his selection for the national team.
In addition to his Olympic success, Masikau also won a gold medal at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens held in Cape Town. These achievements highlight his skills and impact in the sevens format of the game.
Masikau briefly transitioned to rugby league, signing with the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League (NRL) on a train and replacement contract in September 2021. During his time with the Cowboys, he trained with the NRL squad and played for the Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup during 2022.
However, in 2022, Masikau returned to rugby union and joined the Fijian Drua team. This marked his recommitment to the fifteen-a-side format of the game.
In terms of his playing record, Masikau participated in the local 7s tournament with the Tabadamu rugby 7s club from 2017 to 2020. In 2021, he joined the Fiji 7s team, further establishing his reputation as a skilled sevens player. His move to the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys took place in 2022 before he ultimately returned to rugby union with the Fijian Drua.
Among his notable achievements, Masikau won a gold medal at the Olympic Games in 2021 and secured victory at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2022, further solidifying his status as an accomplished rugby player.
On a lighter note, it is worth mentioning that Masikau has a love for eating, adding a fun fact about his personal preferences.
Overall, Iosefo Masikau is a versatile and talented Fijian rugby player who has made a mark in both sevens and fifteens formats of the game, representing Fiji at various prestigious tournaments and showcasing his skills on the international stage.
Ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023, Masi has been named in the training squad for Fiji.
KG(21/06/2023)
Career
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Fijian Drua Openside Flanker |
2022 - present |
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Fiji Openside Flanker |
2023 - 2024 |
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Fiji 7's Openside Flanker |
2021 - 2024 |
