Tony Smith admits that he has been in awe of Mose Masoe during his road to recovery.
The Hull Kingston Rovers head coach has stayed in close contact with the club’s injured forward, who recently left hospital to continue his rehabilitation from a serious spinal injury.
Forced to retire as a result of the injury, Masoe was told he will have succeeded if he ever walks again.
But his recovery has stunned experts, while his attitude has left Smith in admiration of the Samoan international.
“He’s incredible,” Smith said.
“Not only for what he has achieved for himself and his family, but the influence he’s had on so many other people.
“Some of the people that were in that spinal clinic did so much extra work because Mose was there; he was changing and inspiring those around him. It’s quite incredible and one of the things that really had an impact on me was him putting others so much at ease.
“We all felt awkward going to visit him, but he made sure we felt comfortable; he was thinking about others rather than himself and that really shone through.
“A real test of character is when you experience those adversities that can change your character, but he stood strong before that and has continued to during the hard times.
“It will be fantastic the day he can come to our training, it will be a real boost for us all.”
Masoe joined Hull KR in 2017, while the club was playing in the Championship. He signed in August that year and played in the Qualifiers, helping the Robins to gain promotion.
In June 2018 he signed a new contract to take him through to the end of the 2021 season, which the club has agreed to honour, despite his retirement due to the injury.
