Messam faces plenty of options

CHOICES: Liam Messam is gearing up for a big year of rugby action that could take him to at least four different countries.PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Liam Messam can offer a succinct summary to explain his ironman-like abilities - he simply loves playing footy.

And that passion might become even more evident in the next 14 months, with a potential schedule that would see him ply his trade in four different countries.

Messam will return from injury to lead the Chiefs in their must-win match against the Reds in Brisbane tonight, having missed more Super Rugby games this season than the previous six campaigns combined.

Only his absence in last week's loss to the Highlanders was due to his health, with two previous weeks off courtesy of the All Blacks' rest requirements.

While any inactivity is frustrating for a man who has played the most minutes in the competition for the past four years, Messam knows he has a busy calendar ahead.

After leading the Chiefs in their quest for a third title - a quest that will suffer a serious setback with defeat tonight - Messam will turn his attentions to an international campaign culminating in England.

And following the World Cup, the loose forward has been linked to a short-term contract in Japan and a tilt at Sevens gold in Brazil.

Messam was non-committal to those 2016 excursions when quizzed before flying out for Brisbane but acknowledged the balancing act he faced for the rest of this year.

"I just love playing footy and love playing for this team," he said. "But sometimes, since it's a big year, you've got to step away and look at the bigger picture."

That meant resting an old injury that flared up and watching on helplessly as the Chiefs last week lost their third match in four games. It was a break that allowed Messam's energy levels to replenish and also allowed the chance to arrange his short-term future, with suggestions he has signed an off-season contract with Toshiba to play in Japan following the World Cup.

"I'm still working through the future. It's a massive year this year so I'm just focusing one campaign at a time," Messam said.

As for the Olympics, the 31-year-old said there were still hurdles to clear before he could confirm a return to the format that provided his break.

"It's still an option. I can't say too much.

"It's still got a place in my heart - I have a lot to thank [Gordon Tietjens] and [Eric Rush] for, they brought me up as a 16-year-old.

"There's still a place in my heart for Sevens so we've just got to see what happens next year."NZME.