Masoe to quit Toulon for Racing
Block-busting former All Black backrow forward Chris Masoe confirmed Tuesday he is to leave Toulon to play at Top 14 rivals Racing-Metro next season. It will be the 36-year-old Masoe's third French club after he turned out for Castres between 2008-12. Masoe said he had the "opportunity to continue playing at the highest European level". "My body tells me that I can still do it for one more year!" Masoe will link up at Racing with Laurent Labit and Laurent Travers, the coaching duo who were also at Castres. "I worked for three years at Castres with the two Laurents who really wanted me to join them at Racing," said the Samoa-born flanker or No 8 who won 20 caps for the All Blacks. "I hope to bring them what they expect of me, even if I'm keeping well grounded." Voted the Top 14's best player in 2012 when playing at Castres, Masoe sustained torn knee ligaments in December 2013 which saw him sidelined for the remainder of that season. "I feel fresh at training and even the morning after matches when I wake up," Masoe said of his current physical state. "That's down to my injury. I probably gained two more years in my career. Since my knee operation I feel good, very good. probably better than ever!" Masoe will have the chance to depart Toulon with a final trophy, having already won the European Cup this season. Toulon face Stade Francais in the Top 14 semi-final play-offs on Friday, with a potential final against the winners of Clermont or Toulouse a week later. "I hope to win a last title with Toulon," he said. "I'll prepare myself to be at 100 percent because I want to finish on a good note."
