My life in sport: Lelia Masaga

Masaga has more dance moves up his sleeve. Photo / Sarah Ivey

When Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina addressed the media at an informal pre-season meet and greet, he started off by saying he wouldn't bother introducing every member of the squad.

There was one player though, Muliaina said, the media would definitely want to meet: "This is Lelia Masaga," he said, pointing out a figure sprawled nearby on the Waikato Stadium turf.

It was a fairly run-of-the-mill team gag, cutting an individual out of the herd and letting them suffer in the spotlight.

It certainly got the laughs it was designed to. But, like most jokes, there was an element of truth in it. The top try-scorer in last year's Super 14, Masaga - rugby's self-proclaimed version of comic book hero Flash - quickly re-established himself as one of the most exciting players in this year's competition.

In round one he went past Leon MacDonald like he wasn't even there to score a spectacular try and he also crossed in round four, racing clear in the opening seconds against the Force.

His best effort was the late winner against the Highlanders, where five defenders were left trailing as he danced and weaved down the touchline. Then there was his disco dance celebration against the Blues. In a sometimes turgid competition, Masaga continues to be a breath of fresh air.

What inspired you to embark on a career in sport?
My mum. My father died when I was 12 and I didn't know what I was going to do after school. I knew I was pretty quick and I just needed to get into the gym. I ended up playing rugby after school, did pretty well and made the Chiefs the following month.

So you were a late starter then?
I played First XV but I didn't really pay much attention to it. I liked to muck around and kick the ball away and stuff like that. I was pretty much a late bloomer.

When you were 13 years old, what sport did you fancy yourself as a future star in?
I played rugby when I was little but when my father died I found it pretty hard without him there on the sideline. I used to look over and he'd be holding a $5 note for me if I scored a try. When he died he wasn't there any more and I actually stopped playing rugby for about six years.

Describe your job.
You get up, you go to training. It's just like school really. You hang around with a bunch of boys who do fool around and do silly things.

What is the best thing about it?
Being able to travel overseas. And being able to hang out with your mates 24/7.

And the worst thing?
Being away from your family for too long. And, if you are unlucky, getting your pants pulled down in front of everyone.

What are the proudest achievements of your sporting life?
Making the Chiefs. Making the Counties team was big and making the Chiefs was even bigger. [New Zealand] Colts, being able to put that jersey on, was also a privilege.

And what's your worst moment?
When I first started I broke my collar bone by running into a lamp-post. I was so stoked about being named on the bench but I ended up not playing for four weeks. It was terrible.

How did you do that?
I was out for a jog one night in Manurewa and there was a lamp-post where the streetlight was off. A car went past and beeped and it was my mum. So I turned around and waved, didn't see the post and whacked into it. An old man on the other side of the road was laughing.

If you weren't a rugby player, what would you be doing?
Someone wrote on my profile that I would be a dancer.

I wanted to ask you about your dancing after that effort against the Blues the other week. Was there a bit of a disco flavour in there?
Oh yeah. I thought I'd do a bit of a shuffle. For a couple of years now I've done hand signals so I thought I'd chuck something different in there. It was choreographed by Brendon Leonard.

Your nickname is Flash. Does that make that a Flashdance?
You could say that. Flash is everything.

Have you seen the movie?
No I haven't. I've been told by Liam [Messam] that there was a movie Flashdance but I thought he was taking the mickey out of me.

So have you got any other celebrations planned, more dance moves to reveal?
Sure have. If we win the championship I'm going to bust the whole thing out. The first week was the shuffle, the next one I'm going to add in a bit of something else. But I can't give it all away in one go.

Who in the world do you most admire and why?
My mum. She has gone through a lot. We all have really. But my mum has been the strong one. My two older brothers left when my father died and my mum made the decision for us to come up to Auckland (from Porirua). She had to take care of us and work at the same time. I've always looked up to her and I try to do everything I can to keep her happy.

Who would play you in a movie?
If I was lucky I'd play myself but if I had to choose someone it's probably be Kanye West.

Who was your childhood hero?
That would definitely be Flash.

The superhero? Why him?
Well he's fast. He does everything fast. And I like to have that same mentality on the rugby field. I like to think fast, be fast.