Former Sydney Roosters and Penrith prop Mose Masoe has undergone spinal surgery, his Super League club Hull KR have announced.

Masoe was taken to hospital after hurting his neck during the opening minutes of his side’s 18-6 defeat in a pre-season trial match at Wakefield on Sunday.

The Rovers say the injury is serious for the 30-year-old Samoan international.

The former St Helens front rower was given oxygen on the pitch before being carried off on a stretcher and rushed to hospital in Leeds.

He was operated on overnight.

“Following the injury to Mose Masoe during yesterday’s friendly with Wakefield Trinity, the club can confirm Mose has suffered a serious spinal injury and was operated on overnight at Leeds General Hospital,” the club said.

“The club will provide further updates as soon as possible. “

Masoe played in the NRL for the Roosters and Panthers before moving to St Helens in 2014 and is in his second full season with Hull KR.

He helped gain the Rovers promotion from the Championship in 2017.

Rovers also lost second-rower Weller Hauraki, who was captaining the team, with an ankle injury early in the second half.

He is set to undergo scans to determine the extent of the problem.