Chris Masoe (born 15 May 1979 in Savaii, Western Samoa) is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer, who last played for Racing Metro 92 in the Top 14 and a current professional boxer. He is the brother of boxer Maselino Masoe. He was born on the island of Savai'i

Chris Masoe
Birth nameMatemini Christopher Masoe
Date of birth (1979-05-15) 15 May 1979 (age 45)
Place of birthSavaii, Western Samoa
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Weight106 kg (16 st 10 lb; 234 lb)
SchoolWanganui City College
Notable relative(s)Maselino Masoe (brother; former WBA middleweight champion)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, Number 8
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1999–2000
2001
2001–2005
2003–2008
2006–2008
2008–2012
2012–2015
2015–2017
Wanganui
Chiefs
Taranaki
Hurricanes
Wellington
Castres
Toulon
Racing 92
12
1
41
62
19
108
78
60
(20)
(0)
(55)
(40)
(10)
(80)
(35)
(40)
Correct as of 21 December 2019 @ 05:05:34AM (AEST)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005–2007
2005
New Zealand
Junior All Blacks
20
2
(15)
(0)
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
New Zealand
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  New Zealand
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 2002 Manchester Team competition

Career

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Early life

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Masoe was born in Savai'i, Western Samoa as the second youngest of 13 children. He emigrated to New Zealand aged 8 and was raised in Wanganui.[2]

Super 14

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Masoe used to play for the Wellington Hurricanes in the Super 14. He appeared in all 11 Hurricanes matches in the 2005 season. He is capable of playing in all three loose-forward positions but has been concentrating on the openside flanker's role. Masoe has good pace and is a strong ball runner and a tough defender.

Sevens

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He has been a regular member of the New Zealand Sevens squad in the past and was a member of the 2002 Commonwealth Games gold-winning team.

Handbag incident

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On the night of the Super 14 final on 27 May 2006, former All Black captain Tana Umaga struck Hurricanes team mate Chris Masoe over the head with a woman's handbag, breaking her cell phone, after Masoe allegedly attempted to strike another patron. Masoe was fined $3000 by the NZRU as punishment.[3]

Castres Olympique

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In 2008, he signed a contract for French Top 14 team Castres Olympique. In 2010, he was selected in the French Barbarians squad to play Tonga on 26 November.

Toulon

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In April 2012 it was confirmed Masoe was joining RC Toulonnais on a three-year deal.[4] In May 2013 he started as Toulon won the 2013 Heineken Cup Final by 16–15 against Clermont Auvergne.[5]

Awards

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His allround ability earned him the Taranaki Sportsman of the Year in 2002 and in the same year he was named New Zealand Sevens Player of the Year. Following his last season at Castres Olympique, he received the 2011–2012 Top 14 rugbyman of the year award on 15 October 2012.[6]

Honours

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  Racing 92

Professional boxing career

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Chris Masoe
Born
Matemini Christopher Masoe

(1979-05-15) May 15, 1979 (age 45)
NationalitySamoa
New Zealand
Other namesMasi
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Boxing record[8]
Total fights1
Wins1
Wins by KO0
Losses0
Draws0

On December 2, 2022, Masoe followed in his brothers footsteps and made his professional boxing debut against Hawaiian born Lui Te'o.[9] Masoe won the fight by Split Decision.

Professional boxing record

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1 fight 1 win 0 losses
By decision 1 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
1 Win 1–0 Lui Te'o SD 4 Dec 2, 2022 TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand

References

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  1. ^ "RCT - Rugby Club Toulonnais | site officiel |". Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  2. ^ "Gloves are off for Masoe in build-up to first test".
  3. ^ Booker, Jarrod (30 May 2006). "Players say sorry over handbag incident". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  4. ^ "Masoe heading to Toulon". Planet Rugby. 20 April 2012. Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
  5. ^ "Toulon claim Heineken Cup glory". ESPN. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  6. ^ "Masoe elu meilleur joueur". Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  7. ^ "Racing 92 beat Toulon to win Top 14 Rugby title". rugbyweek.com. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Boxing record for Chris Masoe". BoxRec.
  9. ^ "Former All Black Chris Masoe makes switch to boxing at charity fight night".
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