Welcome to volume 1 of our new feature series, Off Season Diaries. For our inaugural edition we spoke to Kinetetsu Liners and Japan full-back Semisi Masirewa.
RugbyJP: How physically and mentally demanding was this season for you, especially following the World Cup which you had to leave early due to injury?
SM: This season wasn’t as physically and mentally demanding as I thought it was going to be compared to when I came back from my ACL injury.
RugbyJP: How do you deal with the highs and lows of a rugby season?
SM: Coming home to my family at the end of tough day or tough situation is so important to me and trying to stay in a positive mindset. Obviously my wife plays a big part as we talk through the highs and lows that I go through.
RugbyJP: When a season finishes, what’s your first thought usually?
SM: My first thought is reflecting back on the season and make plans for my off season.
RugbyJP: How many days was there between your last game (24 May) and your wife giving birth to your daughter Avana?
SM: Just over a week. She arrived the day after the final gathering of the team.
RugbyJP: It’s wonderful that you were able to be there for the birth of your daughter. You must all be delighted including your two young boys.
SM: Yeah it was amazing and delightful to be present for Avana’s birth.
RugbyJP: What’s it like bringing up a young family in Japan as a full-time athlete?
SM: The first couple of years was challenging as I was hardly ever at home due to back-to-back Top League and Super Rugby with the Sunwolves but it was such an awesome experience for my family and I and it was all worth it at the end.
RugbyJP: What are your plans for the summer now that your daughter has been born?
SM: We’re planning to have some nice warm weather so we’re just going to stay in Japan or travel around Japan. Spending more quality time with my family by taking them around Japan and place to visit.
RugbyJP: Do you have specific goals you set yourself for the off season?
SM: Yes, not to come back over weight and stay on top of my fitness and get ready for a big year with Kintetsu Liners next season.
RugbyJP: Does the club have any involvement in your targets and training during the off season?
SM: Yes, the club provide us with targets and goals to achieve as well and prepare our training programs for off season
RugbyJP: Have you had any contact with anyone in the new Japanese coaching team?
SM: No contact with them, but I wasn’t expecting anything due to knowing that I needed a break from back-to-back rugby commitments over the last couple years and with little niggles and injuries I’m carrying. I want to just get my body right for next season and focus on the club at the moment and obviously having a new born plays a big part on that too.
RugbyJP: What does a typical day in the off season look like for you?
SM: Get up around 5:50am and help my wife get the kids ready for school. Drop the kids off to school and go straight to do some training. Go back home after training and grab something to eat and get ready again for school pick up. Thursdays usually my play time with the boys after school at the stadium and just run around with them (kicking, tag rugby or stepping)
RugbyJP: If you had one piece of advice for a young player who’s aspiring to be a professional about what they should be doing in the off-season, what would it be?
SM: Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Hard work pays off. Work you put in behind the scenes and what people don’t see is what makes the difference.
Click here to visit Semisi Masirewa's Instagram account
Who would you like us to feature in volume 2? Let us know on X by tweeting us @rugbyjpcom
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