Tue 6 Aug 2013 | 04:00
Chris Masoe finds new role as touchjudge after assistant ref injury

7
Comments

Toulon's Chris Masoe found himself in an unfamiliar role in the final ten minutes against Racing Metro in their preseason friendly after the touchjudge took a bad knock as Toulon almost went over for a try in the corner.

Former Castres stalwart Masoe, who has had a long and fruitful career, no doubt relished the opportunity to try something new, even if it was under strange circumstances.

As Toulon put together a sweeping attacking move that would have extended their lead, replacement back Vincent Martin nearly went over in the corner if it were not for an incredible covering tackle by Bernard Le Roux.

Unfortuntaely the force of Le Roux's tackle knocked Martin into touch, and into hapless touchjudge Herve Gilard's knee, which bent backwards awkwardly, and that was the end of his game.

With no replacements to be seen and only a few minutes left in the match, 34-year-old Masoe stepped up, stuck on the yellow shirt, and dutifully performed the required role.

We saw him in action in the football vs rugby game against Olympique Marseille recently, playing goal keeper at one stage, so it's been an interesting few weeks for the former All Black.

Toulon won 14-6 and Masoe didn't have too much involvement after that, sticking the flag up once for a Racing Metro lineout. It's good to see the amateur spirit of rugby is alive and well. 

7 Comments

  • brawnybalboa
    8:09 PM 09/08/2013

    I am still trying to work out why they just clingfilmed him up

  • benny
    7:52 AM 09/08/2013

    Oh I love rugby. Assistant ref goes down with a nasty injury and still walks off. Not sure about that medic though, supporting him on the wrong side, looked painful.

  • moddeur
    11:11 AM 07/08/2013

    In rugby teams there are two main strains of captains: those with probity, those with pugnacity.

    Chris Masoe was the captain of Castres 2 years ago and as such was well-known to the Racing's current two trainers (formerly the trainers of Castres) for his probity, so neither Toulon nor the Racing had any problem in naming him touch judge.

  • brawnybalboa
    7:00 PM 06/08/2013

    This video shows why rugby is the best sport in the world.

    Silky handling from the Toulon backs, a fantastic cover tackle by a prop on a fullback, great sportsmanship from both sides of players to show immediate concern for the touch judge and integrity from Masoe to fill in as an official despite being a player.

  • 5:37 PM 06/08/2013

    Even more impressive is the prop breaking from the scrum and putting in a last ditch monster tackle in the opposite corner.

  • guy
    1:54 PM 06/08/2013

    If they put officials that big in every game of football, maybe the players would start behaving differently.

    Classic stuff!

  • drg
    11:10 AM 06/08/2013

    Hahaha Awesome!