Rugby: Injured wing may run out of time

Chiefs fullback Tim Nanai-Williams trains for the practice game against the Blues. Photo / Christine Cornege

Chiefs' winger Lelia Masaga is losing his race against time to be fit to fly to South Africa for the opening of the Super 14 campaign.

Masaga, who made his All Blacks debut against Italy in June, had shoulder surgery towards the end of the Air New Zealand Cup and Chiefs coach Ian Foster is losing hope that he will be fit in time to board the plane to Durban.

"He's going to have to progress really well in the next 10 to 12 days but I cannot see that happening," Foster said.

Instead, he will use his team's second pre-season hit-out against the Blues at Albany Stadium to try another back three combination.

Dwayne Sweeney will start on the left wing, Jackson Willison on the right and Tim Nanai-Williams will wear 15.

"We're planning on Lelia not coming, there might be the option of bringing him over for the third game [against Western Force in Perth] but, at the moment, we're assuming he won't be there.

"With Mils [Muliaina] not going we're effectively down from 12 to 10 backs."

In consultation with the New Zealand Rugby Union, and the blessing of the Chiefs, Muliaina was granted leave to start his Super 14 campaign at home against the Reds in week four, following an arduous international programme last year.

Jason Hona is the outside backs cover in the wider training group but he was concussed in last week's loss to the Highlanders at Carisbrook.

"That extra cover is a little bit of a concern at the moment."

It all means there could a rapid introduction to Super rugby for Nanai-Williams. Foster admitted he would have preferred to ease the talented Counties Manukau flyer into the higher level but circumstances were always likely to count against that.

"It was one of the key dilemmas about selecting him in the squad," Foster admitted. "We knew about Mils and we knew about Lelia, but because we wanted to bring a lock/No 6 in [Jarrad Hoeata], we were only going to have 12 backs.

"Ideally, we wanted to gently ease Tim into Super 14 but we weighed it up and judged him as a person and felt he did have the ability to transfer pretty quick.

"He played most of the game last week and didn't look out of place. He's still learning ... but overall I've been very impressed."

Several All Blacks will return to bolster the Blues.

Captain Keven Mealamu and vice-captain Ali Williams will make their returns from injury, while fellow All Blacks Luke McAlister, John Afoa and Isaia Toeava will also make their first appearances for the Blues in 2010.

After defeating the Hurricanes 19-17 in Mangatainoka last week, Blues coach Pat Lam said he was looking for his team to build on its performance and to introduce a number of his key All Blacks back into the fold.

"The team has some All Blacks coming back this week so, again, there are a few changes and it's a chance to build on our first game," Lam said.

"Joe, Keven, Ali and Isaia have been here the whole time so it's been an easy transition for them. It's been a bit more difficult for John Afoa, Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric and Luke McAlister because they've only just started coming back in."

Albany, 5.30pm tomorrow

BLUES
Isaia Toeava
Rene Ranger
Benson Stanley
Luke McAlister
Joe Rokocoko
Stephen Brett
Alby Mathewson
Viliame Ma'afu
Serge Lilo
Peter Saili
Ali Williams
Kurtis Haiu
Charlie Faumuina
Keven Mealamu (c)
John Afoa

CHIEF
ST Nanai-Williams
Jackson Willison
Richard Kahui
Callum Bruce
Dwayne Sweeney
Mike Delany
Brendon Leonard
Sione Lauaki (c)
Luke Braid
Jarrad Hoeata
Culum Retallick
Craig Clarke
Nathan White
Hika Elliot
Sona Taumalolo

Blues: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, Anthony Boric, Jerome Kaino, Chris Smylie, Dan Kirkpatrick, George Pisi, Tom Chamberlain.

Chiefs: Aled de Malmanche, Ben Afeaki, James McGougan, Kevin O'Neill, Romana Graham, Liam Messam, Jack Lam, Junior Poluleuligaga, Phil Burleigh, Trent Renata, Siale Piutau.