Sione Masoe (left) and Emiliano Nash, the LA Roosters coach. Photo / Supplied
Sione Masoe (left) and Emiliano Nash, the LA Roosters coach. Photo / Supplied
NRL.com
Sione Masoe is set to add to his family’s remarkable sporting record by becoming the first LA Roosters product to pull on a test jersey.
Masoe, who represented the USA at the 2014 Youth Olympics and American Samoa at the 2019 Oceania Games, has been selected in the Hawks squad to play Greece in a two test series in Las Vegas.
If he plays in either test, on February 26 and February 28, as part of the NRL’s festival of rugby league in Vegas, culminating in the March 1 quadruple header at Allegiant Stadium, Masoe will achieve three major milestones.
Not only will he make his international rugby league debut, the 29-year-old will become the first player from the LA Roosters - backed by Sydney Roosters - to play for the USA national team.
In doing so, he will join uncle, former All Blacks forward Chris Masoe, as a fully fledged international.
Masoe’s father, Mika, represented Samoa as a boxer at the 1988 and 1992 Olympics, and another uncle, Maselino, became the first Samoan to win a boxing world title when he claimed the WBA middleweight belt in 2004.
Drawn to rugby league by the code’s speed and physicality, Masoe began playing the code 18 months ago and is now determined to prove himself on the international stage.
“The call from coach Sean Rutgerson was surreal,” he said. “I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported me on this journey.”
Chris Masoe. Photo / Chris Skelton
One of those to have helped Masoe’s transition is Emiliano Nash, the LA Roosters coach who introduced him to rugby league.
Nash has been a constant presence, offering guidance and support. He remembers when Masoe set his goal of playing for the Hawks and made a promise to help him reach it.
Masoe views his selection as a milestone for both himself and the LA Roosters.
“The [Sydney] Roosters involvement has created a lot of interest and done so much for the sport in the US, so there is no better way to thank them than to showcase why I’ve been chosen ” he said.
With the February 26 test and February 28 men’s and women’s double-header between USA and Greece being played close to home, Masoe will not only have Nash cheering him on at Silverbowl Park - but family and friends.
For some, it will be the first time they have watched rugby league.
“The support has been overwhelming,” Masoe said. “As someone so new to the sport, being provided the opportunity to represent my country and proudly wear the USA colours is a blessing.”
