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Josua Tuisova set for Racing 92 debut after controversial injury
By Josh Raisey
Fiji centre Josua Tuisova is set to make his debut for Racing 92 on Saturday against Bayonne after joining the club last summer.
The 30-year-old joined the Parisian outfit at the end of last season from Lyon, and was set to link up with his team after the World Cup.
However, the 113kg back picked up a knee injury against England in the quarter-final which has sidelined him until this weekend. The injury itself, which required surgery, was somewhat controversial.
The injury came as a result of a tackle by England flanker Tom Curry, which Racing labelled "a violent tackle without the arms" in a caustic statement shortly after.
The statement read: “During the England – Fiji match counting for the 3rd quarter-final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, last Sunday October 15, the Fijian center of Racing 92 Josua Tuisova suffered a violent tackle without the arms of the English player No7 thus injuring his left knee.
“The player will consult specialist opinions in the coming days to determine the duration of his unavailability.
“Racing 92 wishes Josua Tuisova a speedy recovery and shows him all its support during this period.”
The powerful centre is set to make his comeback on Saturday at the Stade Abbé-Deschamps after being named in the starting XV by coach Stuart Lancaster.
The centre will form a world-class partnership with France centre Gael Fickou in the midfield, with the Frenchman wearing the No13 jersey.
This is a partnership that fans would have wanted to see all season, but still has the potential to make an impact in the denouement of the Top 14 season. Racing currently sit in fourth place in the league with four rounds remaining of the regular season. That means Tuisova still has an opportunity to end his debut season in Paris on a high.
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Latest Comments
Actually it did not go directly into touch it went "backwards" from his hand (continuing forwards from the perspective of the ball) to go to ground in the in goal area and then because it was spinning went back out of in goal to go into touch. I thought that quite harsh as he could have been trying to scoop the ball upwards to be able to catch it himself which would have been legitimate - he certainly did not direct it towards touch.
Go to commentsExcellent year. I have enjoyed the Pumas with every match they played. They are truly one of the top tier nations and with more growth they will push hard for top 3 world ranking. They are just a bit up and down like the French team of old.
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