Rugby: Masaga ready to boogie in the new season

Chiefs Lelia Masaga slips a Hurricanes tackle. Photo / NZPA

Flying winger Lelia 'Flash' Masaga hopes the New Year will give him plenty of opportunity to show Chiefs' fans his dancing feet.

The 25-year-old former All Black and Steamer player is well known for his exploits after he has dotted down.

At 1.8m tall, with tree trunk legs and weighting 96kg Masaga can be a devastating attacking unit.

He is hoping to show off that ability in next year's Super Rugby competition and on the end of that his dancing ability.

Masaga was one of the first Super Rugby players to use dance moves to celebrate a try and there are plenty of moves he is famous for - there is the sniper celebration, the electric boogie and Masaga's favourite - the one-two shuffle to name a few.

"There was hardly anyone in rugby who used to celebrate their tries. Henry Fa'afili (a former Warrior) he started it up. But when I started it up in rugby, everyone started to strike their moves as well."

But Masaga is keen to show off a lot more of his repertoire this season and with a backline which has the likes of Brendon Leonard, Aaron Cruden, Sonny Bill William and Richard Kahui. He should get his chance.

"I guess I need to score some tries and start doing some dance moves. I think I'll be getting a lot with Sonny Bill attracting four players and the likes of Kahui and his skills. We're a backline to be reckon with. I think we're really lucky we've got Aaron Cruden as well."

Masaga has previously told The Daily Post he doesn't know exactly what he's going to do to celebrate but admitted he used to check tapes to make sure he did not repeat anything.

The winger said the Chiefs' preseason training had been intense and there was plenty of competition amongst the team for positions.

But with the likes of SBW, Kahui and Cruden the biggest competition was for the mirror Masaga joked.

"If I was to say who was the best and most good looking and wears pink undies it probably would have to be Aaron Cruden. He'd be equal with Richard Kahui when it comes to looking in the mirror. But in terms of girlie colours, girlie perfumes it would be Cruden - he loves that kind of stuff.

Cruden said he saw things differently to his team mate and felt it was Masaga who was the pretty boy of the team.

"I'd have to go with Masaga at the moment. That's him he's always in front of the mirror. Nah it's all good fun, all the boys give each other a bit of stick and get into it and it's pretty light hearted."

Season membership for the 2012 season are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.chiefs.co.nz or by calling 0800 466 665 option 1.

The team will have a small break for Christmas and return to training on January 7. The Chiefs will play three preseason games their first against the Rebels in Australia on February 3, followed by the Highlanders in Queenstown on February 10, and Hurricanes on February 17, in Taupo.