Masoe more impressive than ever

Chris Masoe

It seems a harsh self-assessment but Chris Masoe reckons he was a "nobody" not too long ago.

That's why, when people start talking about him as a potential bolter for the All Blacks end-of-season Grand Slam tour, he takes it not so much as a serious indicator he's in the thoughts of the selectors, but that he's starting to become "somebody".

"It is quite good to hear your name mentioned," the Taranaki loose forward said before yesterday's game against Otago. "The last couple of years I've been a nobody and come this year I'm showing what I can do."

Still, it would be wrong to think that Masoe is playing with one eye on that prize. His response when asked if he thought he was a chance was taken straight from the NZRU's Cliche Handbook.

"We'll see what happens. I'm not looking at that. Just taking one game at a time. Whatever comes I'll be happy with it."

The 26-year-old Masoe is probably no more than a bolter's chance, but having returned from an eye-socket injury that saw him miss the first part of this year's NPC, he has become one of the most effective loose forwards in the competition.

Versatile, too. Having played most of his rugby at openside flanker for the Hurricanes, Masoe is currently inhabiting the No 8 jersey for Taranaki.

"You could say it's just a number on your jersey because definitely now the No 8 and seven work more closely together on the field. That's the thing I love about playing No 8, you've got to be there to help your seven," Masoe said.

"I've always enjoyed playing both, but at No 8 you probably get your hands on the ball a bit more.

"If I had a choice of six, seven or eight I'd probably grab the eight because I love to get my hands on the ball and run with it."

Masoe has been the standout performer for Taranaki since he came back in a narrow loss to Bay of Plenty.

That was followed by a narrow loss to Canterbury and, yes, a narrow loss once more to Southland before they got the orang-utan off their backs with a win against Auckland last week.

Last night was a return to old ways but again Masoe was their most impressive player on the pitch in a disappointing loss to Otago.

Unfortunately for Taranaki, Masoe won't be around next season after announcing earlier this year he was transferring to Hurricanes franchise base Wellington.

"I've got to do what's best for me and my family. I'm trying my best to end here on a goodie with Taranaki. Hopefully we're still contenders for the top four."

While he said the increased exposure you get playing for a perennial top-four province was a factor in his move, it wasn't the be-all.

"Basically it's what's best for family. We are living six months in Wellington and six months in Taranaki and I've got little ones at school. It's pretty hard for them to be pulled out after six months and join another one."

Masoe came to the province via a relatively circuitous route.

Born and bred in Samoa - he has six brothers, including WBA world boxing champion Maselino Masoe, and four sisters - he arrived at Wanganui City College on a sports scholarship.

"I spent three or four years down there before moving up to the Naki."

Masoe has not represented Manu Samoa so he faces none of the eligibility issues that the likes of Sitiveni Sivivatu and Steve Devine have had to deal with.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY