Chris Masoe

Chris Masoe
Chris Masoe
Born	Matemini Christopher Masoe; May 15, 1979 (age 45); Savaiʻi, Western Samoa
Nationality	Samoa; New Zealand
Other names	Masi
	Statistics
Weight(s)	Heavyweight
Height	183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
	Boxing record
Total fights	1
Wins	1
Wins by KO	0
Losses	0
Draws	0

Chris Masoe
Birth name	Matemini Christopher Masoe
Date of birth	15 May 1979 (age 45)
Place of birth	Savaii, Western Samoa
Height	183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	106 kg (16 st 10 lb; 234 lb)
School	Wanganui City College
Notable relative(s)	Maselino Masoe (brother; former WBA middleweight champion)
Rugby union career
Position(s)
Position(s)	Flanker, Number 8
Senior career
Years	Team
1999–2000	Wanganui
2001	Chiefs
2001–2005	Taranaki
2003–2008	Hurricanes
2006–2008	Wellington
2008–2012	Castres
2012–2015	Toulon
2015–2017	Racing 92
	Correct as of 21 December 2019
International career
Years	Team
2005–2007	New Zealand
2005	Junior All Blacks
National sevens team
Years	Team
	New Zealand
Men's rugby sevens
Representing New Zealand
Commonwealth Games

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

Career

Early life

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Racing 92

Top 14: 2015–16^[7]

Professional boxing career

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.