NZRU building for the future

Form player: Masaga is scoring tries on a regular basis for the Chiefs

Two of New Zealand's brightest young players, Lelia Masaga and Zac Guildford, have extended their contracts with the New Zealand Rugby Union.

Masaga, of Counties Manukau and the Chiefs, is this season's joint top try scorer in the Super 14 and has signed up for another three years with the NZRU.

He is joined by Guildford, of Hawkes Bay and the Hurricanes, who made his full Super 14 debut last weekend against the Cheetahs.

NZRU General Manager of Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said both players were young, exciting talents with promising international careers.

"These two players are a product of all the development work that is being done at school level, our national age-grade camps, our Academies, and at the Provincial Union and Super 14 level, both on and off the field," he said.

"They are at the start of their professional rugby careers and have indicated that they still have a lot to achieve in New Zealand.

"It is encouraging and heartening that they are enjoying their rugby at provincial, Super 14 and national level and want to remain in New Zealand for the long term."

Guildford, 19, was named New Zealand's age grade Player of the Year in 2007 and was instrumental in the U19 side last season. His form was rewarded with an extended run in the Air New Zealand Cup where he scored seven tries in 14 games.

21-year-old Masaga made his Super 14 debut back in 2006 having featured for the New Zealand U21 team for two years.