Rugby: Chiefs can't afford more slip-ups, says Messam

FIRED UP: Chiefs captain Liam Messam wants a big improvement from his team against the Cheetahs in Hamilton today.PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Chiefs captain Liam Messam is hoping he does not see red in this afternoon's clash with the Cheetahs at Waikato Stadium.

Three red cards were dished out against the Sharks in Durban last week by Australian referee Angus Gardner - two to the Sharks and one to Chiefs hooker Hika Elliot - in a game the Chiefs lost 12-11.

Messam wants to put the whole messy episode behind him.

"It was just one of those things that happen in a game of rugby. Obviously both teams were not proud of what happened and the three red cards were not a good look," he said. "The heat of the battle got to a few of our boys and there are some good learnings we can take out of it if that happens again."

Messam was also cited for foul play but admitted to a lesser charge of "acts contrary to good sportsmanship" which means he gets to play today.

The Chiefs have four wins and two losses from their opening six games, which included the gruelling trip to South Africa.

Messam says they were disappointed with their performance against the Sharks.

"It is not acceptable the way we played the game of football. Just the basic errors let us down and we made some schoolboy errors and that is something as individuals we need to work on and take accountability for.

"The culture here and the training environment has always been good but we have had two slip-ups already and we can't afford to have any more. We need to grind out wins in those tight situations."

-The Chiefs have made several changes to their starting line-up to play the Cheetahs today including a new front row.

Pauliasi Manu returns from injury and is joined by Quentin MacDonald and Ben Tameifuna. Tom Marshall comes on to the left wing, Sonny Bill Williams returns to the midfield and Charlie Ngatai is bracketed with Seta Tamanivalu at centre. Andrew Horrell moves to the reserves and is joined by prop Siate Tokolahi and Marty McKenzie.

The match kicks off at 4.30pm.