Rugby: Double blow as Chiefs lose Delany, Masaga

Mike Delany is out for six months with a shoulder injury. Photo / Getty Images

The Chiefs grim Super 14 campaign took a double blow yesterday with two key backs struck down by lengthy injuries.

Worse affected is versatile Mike Delany, who is out of rugby for six months after fracturing the socket of his right shoulder joint in the embarrassing 49-15 loss to the title-chasing Stormers in Hamilton last Friday night.

And speedy winger Lelia Masaga is gone for three to six weeks after suffering a tear to the lateral meniscus of his right knee.

Delany, an All Black last year, has picked up what Chiefs physiotherapist Dennis Shepherd called "a significant impact injury". Delany will have surgery on the injury on Friday.

Masaga will have arthroscopy treatment on Friday.

The double blow adds to a depressing campaign for the Chiefs, finalists last year, but now languishing in 10th place, nine points off the top four. The team to play the Cheetahs on Friday will be named today.