NRL news: Mose Masoe reveals plan to give back to rugby league
Mose Masoe may still be recovering from a serious spinal injury but the former NRL and Super League forward has revealed plans to remain involved in rugby league.
He may still be recovering from a serious spinal injury that left him unable to walk but Mose Masoe has come forward to help others.
Masoe, the former NRL and Super League forward who was paralysed from the shoulders down while playing a pre-season friendly for Hull Kingston Rovers against Wakefield Trinity early last year — has revealed plans to return to Australia and seek out a job in rugby league in mentoring, welfare or coaching.
“All Mose wants to do is help others,” said Masoe’s manager, Steve Gillis.
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“He wants to give back – it’s an incredible show of kindness while still facing all his battles. He wants to inspire people. Mose is a beautiful, loveable person.”
News Corp can reveal fundraising efforts in Australia and England for Masoe have amassed more than $700,000.
Doctors initially told Masoe, 32, that he would never walk again but after enduring months of rehab, the giant forward took his first unaided steps in September last year.
The Men of League Foundation, along with Super League and NRL fans, Hull KR and betting agency, Sportsbet, heavily supported Masoe’s recovery, the result being the massive fundraising effort.
“There was so much support. Hull KR were amazing, as were all fans from Australia and England,” Gillis said.
Mose â¤ï¸ Not a dry eye in the house 😢
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 11, 2021
On his final night at Hull College Craven Park before returning to Australia, @MoseMasoe & his family deliver the match ball 😄#SuperLeague#SLHKRCaspic.twitter.com/lOTbImkoue
Masoe will attempt to rebuild his life after arriving home in Australia in just under three weeks. Yet rather than wallow in self-pity, Masoe wants to assist and guide others who struggle with mental health and disabilities.
“I want to give back and help people,” the former Roosters and Panthers prop said.
“I love rugby league and if there was a role for me in the game then I’d certainly be interested. I’d like to work with people who may need some support. That is something I enjoy doing.
“I would really love to inspire people through a mentoring or welfare role. I guess I might have to wait my turn. I will wait and see.
This was ultimate â¤ï¸ https://t.co/Gt4weyUDXO
— Mose Masoe (@MoseMasoe) October 31, 2021
“My rehab continues every day. I do a little bit more each day. I get tired and fatigued but I keep pushing forward. Some days there might be setbacks but I have to keep going.
“Life has certainly changed but it would be rewarding knowing I could use my experiences to help others. I can’t thank everyone enough — the support has been most humbling.”
Masoe leaves England on November 20 and will enter two weeks of quarantine in Australia.
He plans to live on the Sunshine Coast.
“Masoe has expressed a desire to get into welfare in rugby league,” Gillis said. “He is very good around people who are struggling. When he was in hospital, he was the one helping others in his ward.
“He is a real caring, sharing type of guy. We have talked about a few things but he would love a role where he could mentor, help and support people with troubles, those struggling with life. And I know he’d love to stay involved in footy.
“He wants to give back – it’s an incredible show of kindness while still facing all his battles. He wants to inspire people.
“All Mose wants to do is help others through mentoring, welfare and maybe coaching. I also think there will be opportunities for Mose to tell his story. He is the nicest man in the world, anyone who has met him will tell you that.
“He is a beautiful, loveable person. You often hear stories about people who overcome disabilities to inspire people, well, Mose is right up there with all of them. Some of the stuff he has done has been magical, the way he has fought back.
“I think there are some great things ahead for him, despite the obstacles that are in front of him and I’d like to think there is a role there for him in rugby league, somewhere, maybe even in mental health.
“It might take time to define the most suitable pathway but I’m sure he will get plenty of support.”
GI v Burgess in superstar bush footy showdown
NRL legend Greg Inglis has confirmed a comeback to rugby league next season in what will be the most star-studded competition in bush footy.
Macksville Sea Eagles, announced that Inglis would continue his playing career in 2022 on the NSW north coast, despite injury setbacks derailing his stint with Warrington in England.
Inglis’ returns follows news his former Souths premiership-winning teammate, Sam Burgess, will coach the Orara Valley Axemen next year, also in Group 2. While named initially as coach, locals will be urging Burgess to play again.
Former Souths, Wests, Easts and Canberra star Brandon Costin – the former Fiji national coach – is expected to coach Coffs Harbour again next season while ex-Dragons fullback Clint Greenshields will coach the Sawtell Panthers. Coffs Harbour and Sawtell also play in Group 2.
Kempsey-born Inglis, 34, played junior footy with Bowraville Tigers but grew up in Macksville.
The club said Inglis was proud to be playing again for the club his father Wade Blair did while growing up in the Nambucca Valley.
South Sydney CEO Blake Solly spoke glowingly about Inglis and his return to footy.
“Greg has a special place in the history of South Sydney,” said Solly. “He is extremely well loved by our members. We are really supportive of regional rugby league. We take home matches to regional venues in the Charity Shield to try and foster and grow rugby league in those areas.
“We think it’s wonderful that Greg is pulling on the boots again to help his local club where he grew up.”
Burgess returned to Sydney on Wednesday having been in Thailand for a month with friend and Hollywood star, Russell Crowe, who was filming.
Friends say Burgess’ appointment in Group 2 is a small yet significant step toward his ultimate goal – coaching in the NRL.
Costin hasn’t been formally appointed Coffs coach for next season but locals expect he will take on the role again.
At age 39, Greenshields has been named as Sawtell coach but some local officials hope he might squeeze in one more season of playing before retirement. Greenshields played his junior footy for the Panthers before carving out a solid career with Catalans in France.
Inglis is one of the finest players of rugby league’s modern era having played 265 games with Melbourne and Souths, winning premierships at both clubs.
Group 2 features clubs from Grafton to Macksville.
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