All Black wing signs with Bay of Plenty

One-test All Black Lelia Masaga has signed a two-year deal with Bay of Plenty. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Bay of Plenty have signalled their top-level Air New Zealand Cup intentions after an audacious swoop yesterday, signing one-test All Black Lelia Masaga for the next two seasons.

Masaga's signing from Counties-Manukau for the 2010 and 2011 seasons is Bay of Plenty's biggest offseason acquisition in a decade back in domestic rugby's top flight.

The 23-year-old made his All Blacks debut against Italy in Christchurch this season - a game that also featured Steamers flanker Tanerau Latimer - but he was squeezed out of the Tri-Nations by Hosea Gear.

Shoulder surgery towards the end of the Air NZ Cup season ruled him out of the All Blacks' season-ending tour.

Masaga has been part of the Chiefs team since 2006 and has played 42 Super rugby games. A great finisher, he forms a potent back three with All Blacks Mils Muliaina and winger Sitiveni Sivivatu.

Masaga said today he was ready for a change. "I'm excited about being involved with the Steamers ... an exciting team.

"(They) have a great environment that I am really looking forward to being a part of."

Jeremy Curragh, Bay of Plenty Rugby Union chief executive, said Masaga's contribution would be two-fold.

"To attract a player of Lelia's calibre is fantastic and proves the Bay can provide the right environment for players to make the All Blacks - we look forward to supporting Lelia in achieving his goal of again making the All Blacks.

"He's an excitement machine and brings an X-factor we are sure our supporters will love to see.

"Not only is he going to make a strong contribution on the field, he has all the key characteristics that are so important to us off the field."

Steamers coach Sean Horan confirmed today the union had been busy in the player market, signing former Highlanders midfielder Brett Mather, who played for Otago in the Air NZ Cup, and Hawke's Bay utility back Daniel Waenga, who played on loan for North Otago this season in the Heartland Championship.

Steamers Zar Lawrence and Nigel Hunt hadn't been recontracted by Bay of Plenty, although Horan said that could still happen next year.

Horan said bringing in a player with special tryscoring ability is something he and assistant Steve Miln had identified this season.

"It's a bit of a coup to get someone of Lelia's ability, it's a pretty big signing for us here in the Bay.

"A lot of coaches have a wish list and don't always get what they want, but we're lucky there was a bit of work done behind the scenes and we could get Lelia on board for a couple of years."

Masaga will have dibs on the Steamers' No 14 jersey and could potentially make an exciting back three alongside Jason Hona and Toby Arnold.

Ben Smith and Lance Macdonald were also set to return next season from injury.

Horan said with the Air NZ Cup competition set to be split in two for 2011 there was added pressure to perform next season.

"There's some certainty there next year, which is what we wanted, and the good thing is we've got time to do planning.

"There's heat on to make that top seven, pressure on us and pressure on every other team, so the quicker we're out of the blocks with where we want to go and what we want to do the better," Horan said.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES