Smith: Masoe still needs our help

Hull Kingston Rovers Head Coach Tony Smith has praised the sport for its support for former player Mose Masoe.

The upcoming round in the Betfred Super League will be dedicated to Masoe after a horrific injury in a friendly last year left him paralyzed and forced to retire.

Masoe has since been slowly recovering from the incident working closely with the Robins. They’re set to face his previous side St Helens on Thursday in a match dedicated to the prop.

With Super League opting to dedicate round two to the Samoan, Smith said, “It is brilliant that this round is for Mose. I think it has been pretty constant that this year, he will need our help.

“I am really grateful for the Super League, rugby league and the NRL to jump on board for us all to have a chance and opportunity to help someone from within our game who needs our help.

“I know a lot of people out there have helped others within our game and sometimes it feels like we are always trying to help somebody but that is our sport and that is what we are good at.

“When we do need help, we come together and look after one another. We are really grateful for those who can but for those who cannot, that is fine too.

“You need to take care of your own and that first and Mose is the first one to say that but certainly if you can help Mose and his family out for their future, it would be great and if not, we understand.”

The Robins started this season with a narrow 29-28 defeat at the hands of Catalans Dragons in golden point.

They almost made history by pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in Super League after overturning a 28-4 deficit to level the game at 28-28.

Though James Maloney’s field-goal sealed a win for Catalans, Smith is confident his side can bounce back but insists they must start stronger.

He added, “I would love not to have to play from behind. We can still play good footy, even in those circumstances, but it would be nice to be up and out in front and playing confidently because of the way we play.

“It would be lovely and hopefully that time will come as it is still early days.”