Super Rugby: Liam Messam in charge again

Liam Messam will share the captaincy role for the Chiefs with Aaron Cruden. Photo/File

Rotorua's Liam Messam will again co-captain the Super Rugby champion Chiefs side for the 2014 season.

The inspirational loose forward, All Black and last year's Super Rugby final's man of the match, will remain part of the captaincy duo and will be joined by talented first five-eighth Aaron Cruden.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said Messam had been a huge asset for the team.

"He has an enormous work ethic and has led us to back-to-back championships. He is an uncompromising player and a leader who epitomises Chiefs mana.

"Aaron has been a massive influence in our success to date. His rugby knowledge, attitude and ability to direct a game is impressive. He is greatly respected, a natural leader and will thrive with this added responsibility."

The 25-year-old Cruden showed outstanding form for the Chiefs in their back-to-back winning seasons.

This was officially acknowledged when Cruden won the Chiefs player of the year title two years in a row. He captained the New Zealand U20s to a world title win in 2009 and captained Manawatu at the age of 20.

Cruden is rapt to be awarded the role of co-captain.

"It is a huge honour to co-captain the team with Liam. We have clear goals that we want to achieve and know it's important that we work harder than ever in order to reach those," said the All Black.

Messam is the highest capped Chief with 113 matches and Cruden has played 36 matches for the Chiefs.

The Chiefs will play their first pre-season match against the Reds in Toowoomba on Saturday evening 6pm Australia time before heading to Rotorua on Valentine's Day to play the Blues at 6pm at Rotorua International Stadium.

Tickets to the match are on sale now. Adult general admission is $15; children 14 and under are $5 and kids four years and under are free.

Entry is free for Chiefs 2014 Season Members on presentation of their membership card . Families are encouraged to bring picnics into the park but no alcohol or commercially branded takeaway food is allowed. Gates open at 5pm.

Tickets are available online at www.ticketdirect.co.nz or by phoning 0800 4 CHIEFS.

Tickets are also available from the TicketDirect Kiosk at The Warehouse Rotorua, Rotorua Convention Centre and the I Site Rotorua.