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Masaga doing his job

Monday 28th April 2008

Catch me if you can: Lelia Masaga is the Super 14's joint top try-scorer

Chiefs wing Lelia Masaga is the Super 14's top try-scorer, but he says that scoring tries is simply what he's paid to do.

Masaga has become a contender for a berth on the All Blacks wing with Joe Rokocoko injured and Doug Howlett and Rico Gear playing their rugby overseas.

The 21-year-old has touched down six times already for the Chiefs this season including a first-half double against the Reds at Waikato Stadium on Saturday.

But Masaga, who declared his intention to become an All Black when he first joined the Chiefs as a raw 19-year-old in 2006, makes light of his try-scoring feats and says he still needs to get better, while he felt lucky to be on the end of an in-form Chiefs attacking unit.

"You've got to do it [score tries]. Wings are getting paid to score tries so that's what I'm doing, trying to score tries for the boys," the speedster told the Waikato Times.

Masaga has made huge progress this year, complementing his points scoring feats with some solid defending.

"I'm pretty happy [with my form]," said Masaga.

"Last year it was difficult for me because I was still learning [the position].

"But this year I've been right into my defence and have learnt the right lines to run, while the kick and chase has been pretty awesome and high balls now, I've clocked it," added Masaga.

But he still does not consider himself a senior member of the team.

"Probably not yet," said 'Flash', as he is know to his team-mates.

"I'm always willing to step up if I'm needed to speak out but I'm still young.

"I'm the youngest player in the team," noted Masaga who is struggling with a bruised knee.

Masaga is hopeful the blow he took from Reds centre Morgan Turinui to his knee that had already suffered a haematoma the previous week against the Crusaders would clear up in time for the next game against the Western Force in Perth on Saturday.

"It's pretty sore. I tried my best to stay on for the whole game but I couldn't really last,"said the right wing.

Chiefs fans will have their fingers crossed that he can recover in time for their trip across the Tasman sea.