Another young Shark slips the net

Published Sep 24, 2006

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Is KwaZulu-Natal becoming the breeding ground for world rugby? That is the question being asked after a host of local lads have managed to secure their professional careers abroad.

Trace the roots of Clyde Rathbone (Kingsway High) in Australia, Greg Rawlinson (DHS) in New Zealand and Matt Stevens (Kearsney) in England and you'll discover that all roads lead back to the rugby fields of KZN.

Now Calvin Masson could be the next young KwaZulu-Natalian to be snapped up by the Wallabies after his recent stint playing club rugby for the Gold Coast Breakers in Queensland.

"Calvin has a lot of potential and I think he could play provincial rugby," said former Natal flank Louis Conradie.

"I coached him at Thomas More College and know what a good player he is. He is a very strong runner and is a really hard grafter on the field. I would say he's built to be a ball carrying sort of flank, who can break the advantage line," added Conradie.

Unfortunately, Masson is another who slipped through the net and found himself not making any of the provincial representative squads last year when he was in matric.

This is not uncommon for a kid playing for one of the "smaller" schools.

These boys are often overlooked by selectors choosing teams by the colour of their socks rather than pure talent.

Masson though says that the way things have worked out he has still managed to grow as a player and harbours no grudge against the province.

"It's all worked out for the best and I've learnt so much by going overseas," says the 19-year-old.

"I had applied to a number of clubs overseas when I was in matric because I was going to take a gap year and wanted to give my rugby a good go."

"Playing for Breakers I was able to work under former All Black wing Mark Batty. He helped improve my individual skills and that's something that's a high priority in Australia."

Though Masson perfectly fits the bill for a loose forward, his coaches at the Breakers experimented with him on the wing for most of the season. This flirtation in the backline has developed Masson's game tenfold and equipped him with new skills.

The move was so successful that Masson ended as the club's top try scorer with 11 touchdowns and he was named the club's most improved player.

He was such a revelation Down Under that the Queensland Reds under-19 talent scouts caught a glimpse of him during a game at Ballymore Stadium and selected him for a tour to New Zealand.

Masson, though, had to decline the invitation as his visa had expired and he had to return home.

"The Breakers have asked me to come out again next year and they want me to play flank for their Premier team," Masson said. "I don't really know what to do because I want to stay and play my rugby in South Africa but nobody has contacted me.

"Every rugby player who grows up in this country wants to play for the Springboks and that's no different for me."

"But, if there are no offers to stay here I will have to pursue my professional career overseas and hopefully catch the Springbok selectors' eyes playing for the Reds.

"But, to be honest I don't want to go."

Let's hope the Sharks won't let you.

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