MOSE Masoe labelled Ben Flower’s sickening second punch on teammate and fellow New Zealander Lance Hohaia as a ‘dog shot’.

The giant Samoan international followed skipper Paul Wellens in flying into the Wigan prop after his second-minute knockout of the Saints half back, with the second punch to the head having been thrown while Hohaia was laid out on the floor.

Masoe, using an Australian term for an ‘unseen punch’, condemned the Welsh international’s actions that led to him last night becoming the first player to be sent off in a Super League Grand Final.

And there was fear from Masoe that Hohaia, due to have scans over the next 24 hours, may have a broken jaw.

“It was a bit of a dog shot,” said the former Penrith Panthers and Sydney Roosters prop.

“I saw a fight happening and ran straight in because I knew one of my teammates was in trouble on the ground.

“I feel sorry for Lance because he might have a broken jaw and he got knocked out as well.

“On the first punch ‘Larney’ was knocked out and to then get punched on the ground is something that’s not in my book. That’s why I rushed in.

“When you find it’s one-on-one, it’s just like a State Of Origin game. But when you hit someone on the ground it’s a no-no.”

Hohaia, who played no further part in the game, was able to join his teammates on the field for the trophy presentation and celebrations with the fans.

Masoe said: “They were very special moments with the fans.

“They’d been to five Grand Finals in a row and lost, so to win one – and against Wigan as well – now they can hold their heads up high.

“And if they go to work tomorrow and see a Wiganer they can give it to them while wearing their Saints shirt.

“That’s what makes this game more special for us. We were able to provide that for our family, all the Saints family that is.”

The short turn around between qualification and the final meant none of Masoe’s relatives were able to fly from Down Under to share in his first championship success.

But they got up in the early hours of the morning to watch on television.

“I think it was 3 o’clock in the morning back home and they all sent me messages after the game,” said Masoe, who is utilised in explosive bursts on the field.

And he added, with a smile on his face: “They were saying how come I didn’t play as long as I should have? I said because I was tired. Always in my family, nothing is good enough!”

Masoe, who will face some of the Wigan players again when he represents Samoa against England in the opening Four Nations clash in Brisbane on Saturday week, said: “It was the biggest game of my career and I just can’t explain how much this means to me.”

It had been a big decision to leave his home in Australia at the end of last year to start a new chapter with Saints.

Still smiling, he said: “All the cold days, all the rainy days, all the early mornings when the sun is still down and you’re training in the dark, this makes it all worth it. I’m so happy.”

The loss of Hohaia caused Saints’ line-up much disruption and Masoe was proud of the response.

He said: “Credit to the boys, they dug in saying ‘Stuff this, we’re here to win’ and they showed it.

“We didn’t really move the ball much. We just ran it in straight and said to Wigan ‘If you guys want to run it straight, then we’re going to batter you. We’re going to run straight and as hard as we can.’ “The try (by Wigan) in the last minute before half time was a bit of a letdown for us but we were quietly confident we could come back and give it a go.

“With Wigan losing a front rower – and he’s quite handy with the ball as well – it did help us. Wigan did play well. They gave it to us, we gave it back, and it was like that the whole game.”

Masoe, a sensation in Samoa’s performances in the World Cup in Britain 12 months ago, says he will go into the Four Nations feeling his performances for Saints have grown as this season has progressed.

“That’s especially with having the broken ankle at the start of the year,” he said.

“I was a bit down in the dumps and started the year really badly. I didn’t get much time (on the field).

“Winning the Grand Final tells me that you’ve got to keep chipping away because things will happen for you if you keep working.”

And he is aiming for next season to get off on a better footing.

“I feel I am not at my best yet,” he said.

“I didn’t get a pre-season under my belt last time round and so I had to catch up throughout the whole season.

“I’ve played this season a bit overweight. Next year I’m going to try and get that right down and see what I can do.”