The towering Kangaroo has just signed a mega-three year deal with big spending Toulon and is set to play against international opponents straight away without having played a single minute of union.
Mason is following in the footsteps of his former Bulldogs teammate Sonny Bill Williams by joining the same club, and there is a chance the 31-year-old will play in the centres as Williams did before he joined the Crusaders this year.
”I got in touch with Sonny and had a bit of a crack at him,” Mason said. ”Because he holds all the records in the testing procedures over here, and they compare me to him in that area. They know we played together in Australia, and Sonny is a bit of a legend over here in France, so I have plenty to live up to.”
Despite having never played union, Mason, who has never lacked confidence, is adamant he has what it takes to make a similar impression as his great mate Sonny Bill.
”Mate, I’m just so excited to be playing rugby, and I’m looking forward to the challenge … I’ve certainly jumped in the deep end in agreeing to play for the Barbarians without having any rugby experience,” he said.
”If you ask all the boys, I’ve always told them I’ve wanted to have a crack at rugby, and I’ve always been the type to jump in at the deep end, and I’m ready to try the best I can to make an instant switch..”
Despite having only signed for Toulon earlier this week from league outfit Hull KR, Mason is already being recognised in Toulon.
”I walk around and they say, ‘Mason, Mason’ … they call me ‘Machine’ wherever I go. It’s really quite amazing how much they’re into rugby here.”
