Rugby: Masaga ready to run after missing try-fest

Returning Chiefs wing Lelia Masaga reckons his absence may be one of the reasons the inside backs have started creating so many try-scoring opportunities.

"I think they started creating [space] knowing I wasn't there because I tend to hog the ball," he joked ahead of the round-three match against Western Force tonight.

The twinkled-toed three-quarter, who played one test for the All Blacks last year, is returning from a shoulder reconstruction operation in September. He looked on with a bit ofenvy as the Chiefs ran in tries fromall over Ellis Park last weekend.

"With Stephen Donald or Mike Delany, whoever's in the first five position, they have the speed and the knowledge to create space for us wingers."

While a couple of comeback five-pointers would not go astray, Masaga has stripped down his expectations for the match.

"It's not necessarily about scoring tries and making breaks," he said. "I'm looking more on the injury side, trying to get my shoulder through the game."

It's been a frustrating period of convalescence for the energetic 23-year-old. He could not run for three months, let alone work on expanding his repertoire of post-try dance moves. Asked whether crowds could expect to see anything new this weekend, he stayed coy: "That's actually confidential."

Romana Graham, who was seated with Masaga on the SOS flight to Perth, will also join the winger in the starting line-up.

The 24-year-old lock will make up one half of an inexperienced second row. Culum Retallick, 25, with just eight Super 14 caps stored away, will take on the role of senior lock. Both Craig Clarke and Kevin O'Neill are missing through injury and utility Jarrad Hoeata is preferred asa bench option, being able tocover blindside flanker as well.

If assistant coach Craig Stevenson is concerned about the novice element, he is doing a good job of hiding it.

"Culum Retallick has played very well for us. He earned his spot in there," Stevenson said.

"We're going to miss Kevin O'Neill and Craig Clarke because they're an experienced locking [pair] but it's a great opportunity for Culum and Romana and we've got a lot of faith in them. We're expecting both to play well and have a chance of stepping up at this level.

"It's new to Romana but that's why we've picked him. He's a big man [2.02m] and he's capable and we're looking forward to seeing him out there."

Meanwhile, Stevenson believed the move to allow the second defender to the breakdown more rights to the ball was "a good directive". The Chiefs and Lions played out the now infamous 18-try romp on the Highveld with both sides seemingly powerless to stop the attacking team once they had a roll on.

"With the second defender coming in being allowed to have a crack at the ball, we were very good at that last year. We developed and worked hard at that area. It's going to be more of an even contest."

FORCE v CHIEFS
* Perth
* Tomorrow 12.05am on SS1