Swire Shipping Fijian Drua star centre, Iosefo Masi, will be fit to play come the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific 2025 season.

Speaking to SUNsports in Nadi last Friday, Masi confirmed that he is back training with the team.

“I’m in the second week of training and I love it,” said Masi.

The 26-year-old suffered a knee injury during the Pacific Nations Cup. He missed the PNC final against Japan in Osaka and also the Europe Tour in November.

TAMANI BACK

Also, making his return in the Drua colours is lanky backrower Joe Tamani after a year’s stint with Colomiers Rugby Club in the French ProD2 competition.

Dubbed, Smokin’ Joe, he has worked hard o his pre-season training.

“I am glad that we are finishing the pre-season, which was seven weeks of toughness in training,” Tamani said.

“We reached our goals as some of the boys came in unfit and are now ready to run in the field. Fitness, I am better now, I have learned from that and the next season will be better for me.”

Tamani was in the Drua squad for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season where they reached the quarterfinal.

Later that year he also made his Test debut for the Flying Fijians in the PNC clash against Samoa.

BRIGHT FUTURE

Meanwhile, Drua co-captain Frank Lomani believes the current Flying Fijians side can defy the odds at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Lomani was part of the Mick Byrne coached-side who recently toured Europe.

“Beating Wales in Cardiff and being the first Fijian team to do that was good for us in terms of the 2027 World Cup,” he said.

“We are building-up and we are finding ourselves in a good spot right now with the squad that we have.”

Lomani added with the international games over, their next job now is to return to the Drua set-up and prepare for the Super Rugby Pacific competition.

“We can’t wait. We are looking forward to our first game in February and looking forward to off-season and pre-season.” added Lomani.

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