![]() Masi in 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Full name | Iosefo Masikau Baleiwairiki | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Date of birth | 9 May 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 190 cm (6 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 88 kg (194 lb; 13 st 12 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notable relative(s) | Filipe Sauturaga (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby league career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Wing, Centre, Fullback | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record |
Iosefo Masikau Baleiwairiki also known as either Iosefo Masikau or Iosefo Masi (born 9 May 1998) is a Fijian professional rugby union footballer who plays for the Fijian Drua in the Super Rugby. Known for repeatedly slicing his way through the opposition defensive line has earned him the nickname, the "Slice Man". He signed for Top 14 side Lyon in 2025.
He is a former rugby sevens player, winning a gold medal for Fiji at the 2020 Summer Olympics. [1] He won a gold medal at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town. [2] [3] [4] [5]
Masi was selected to the national team after his impressive performances at the 2020 Fiji Bitter Marist 7s tournament where he also scored a hat-trick in one of the matches. [6]
Masi made his debut appearance at the Olympic Games in 2020 representing Fiji in the men's rugby sevens tournament. [7] [8] He was part of the Fijian side that won a silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. [9] [10] [11]
On 20 September 2021, Masi signed with the Townsville-based North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League (NRL) on a train and replacement contract. He trained with the Cowboys' NRL squad and played with the Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup in 2022. [12]
In 2022, Masi returned to rugby union, joining the Fijian Drua. [13]