Masoe to miss Super League opener

Blockbusting St Helens prop Mose Masoe is set to miss the first few rounds of the new Super League season with an ankle injury.

Masoe, 24, underwent surgery to repair ligament damage sustained during Samoa‘s World Cup campaign, but is hoping to make a return to action before the end of February.

He said: “The club didn’t want to take a risk and maybe have to get surgery half way through the season, and then I’d miss 10 or 12 games. This way I’m hoping to only miss the two games and be back.

“It is frustrating, but it’s a blessing in disguise for me.

“It got worse during the France game, and then I played against Fiji, and I don’t think that was good for the ankle. At the time, it was a good opportunity for Samoa to make the semi-final and top four in the world. Looking back, I shouldn’t have played, but that’s footy.”

Masoe is one of five new signings in Nathan Brown’s side, alongside former Penrith team-mate Luke Walsh, props Kyle Amor and Richard Beaumont, and ex-Huddersfield youngster Matty Dawson.

The injury rules him out of the season opener against Warrington, at the ground where Masoe’s Samoa entertained New Zealand in their opening World Cup game back in October.

Masoe added: “I’m not the fittest player but I’ll give it my all when I get on the field. Like any player, you like to get on there and rip in.

“I’m a player that loves to play off the fans, I just want to run harder and run faster and tackle harder.

“I’m always smiling so the other fans probably won’t like me. Hopefully they will like me.”