Flying Fijians centre Iosefo Masi has been sidelined for up to two months following a hamstring injury sustained during Lyon’s Top 14 clash against Pau. The injury will likely prevent Masi from participating in Fiji’s Northern Hemisphere tour, scheduled for November, which is a significant setback for both his club and national team.
Masi has become a vital player for Lyon, contributing significantly to their backline, and his absence will be keenly felt. The Fijian centre was one of three Lyon players to leave the field due to injuries during the bruising encounter with Pau, with Baptiste Couilloud and Maxime Gouzou also sustaining injuries. Couilloud is expected to be out for six to eight weeks due to a shoulder injury, while Gouzou faces a two-month absence because of a knee injury.
This unfortunate injury comes at a time when Masi was finding his footing in the French league, further establishing his reputation after joining Lyon. Previously, he was identified as a potential replacement for Semi Radradra, as Lyon sought to bolster their lineup following a challenging season.
The Flying Fijians have been dealing with several injury concerns recently. Similar to Masi’s situation, lock forward Isoa Nasilasila is also out of action due to an injury sustained during a match against Wales, ruling him out of the upcoming tests against Spain and Ireland. These incidents highlight the physical demands of top-tier rugby and the resilience required to overcome them.
The loss of key players like Masi and Nasilasila presents an opportunity for other team members to step up and demonstrate their abilities on the international stage. The Flying Fijians’ depth and determination can help them adapt to these challenges, fostering a hopeful outlook for their upcoming matches despite the current setbacks.