Mose Masoe: Hull KR prop undergoes surgery on ‘serious spinal injury’

Samoa international was carried off the field on a stretcher early in the pre-season defeat against Wakefield

Mose Masoe of Hull KR suffered a 'serious spinal injury' and has undergone surgery (PA)

Hull Kingston Rovers prop Mose Masoe has undergone surgery on a “serious spinal injury” after being injured in Sunday’s pre-season match at Wakefield.

The 30-year-old Samoa international was carried off the field on a stretcher early in Hull KR’s 18-6 defeat at Belle Vue, and was taken to Leeds general Hospital immediately where he underwent an operation on his neck.

A statement from the club said: "Following the injury to Mose Masoe during yesterday's friendly with Wakefield Trinity, the club can confirm Mose has suffered a serious spinal injury and was operated on overnight at Leeds General Hospital.

"The club will provide further updates as soon as possible."

Masoe was given oxygen on the pitch as it immediately became clear the injury was a serious one, with the game delayed in order to give him the necessary treatment.

The Wellington-born prop played for Sydney Roosters and Penrith Panthers in the NRL before moving to the United Kingdom in 2014 to join St Helens, representing the Super League side for two seasons before moving on to Hull KR in 2017 where he has made 59 league appearances and scored six tries.

Masoe has also represented Samoa seven times in his career, having opted to represent the Pacific Island over New Zealand in 2013.

The injury to Masoe is the second serious neck injury in either code of rugby in the space of a week, following Worcester Warriors lock Michael Fatialofa’s spinal injury during their defeat against Saracens last weekend. The New Zealand remains in hospital after undergoing surgery to ease pressure caused by bruising and swelling on his spinal cord, having suffered “reduced power and sensation in his arms and legs”, with both incidents providing an unwelcome reminder of the perils of both sports.