Messam to lead from front

Former Rotorua local Liam Messam will lead the Chiefs out in their first game of the 2012 Super Rugby season against the Highlanders tomorrow.

Messam who has 79 Super Rugby caps has the nod to have the "c" beside his name when the Dave Rennie coached side takes to the field at Waikato Stadium.

The 27-year-old will pack down at blindside for the Chiefs and will be partnered in the loose by Steamers openside flanker Sam Cane and No8 Fritz Lee.

Tanerau Latimer has been named on the bench to cover the loose forward trio.

Earlier this year, Rennie named Messam and Craig Clarke to share the role of captain for this year's Super Rugby for the Chiefs.

It is the first time in Super Rugby history, a New Zealand side has named two players at captain.

In the tight five, the Chiefs have a solid look about them with Arizona Taumalolo, Hika Elliot and Ben Afeaki making up the front row, while Clarke and Brodie Retallick taking the locking positions.

Brendon Leonard has the nod to play at halfback ahead of Tawera Kerr-Barlow, who has been named on the reserves bench.

There were no surprises at first-five with Aaron Cruden being given the task of running a lethal backline which includes Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui, Lelia Masaga, Robbie Robinson and Tim Nanai-Williams.

Rennie said the 22 players selected were looking forward to getting on the field.

"There has been a lot of work going in over the past three months in preparation for the competition and the boys are pretty excited about the match."

No8 Alex Bradley (ankle - three weeks), lock Kane Thompson (neck - one week), and centre Jackson Willison (hamstring - one week) were unavailable for the Chiefs.

The Highlanders have delayed their team announcement until today, due to their injury concerns. They are particularly light at prop and in the midfield, with up to 10 players unavailable for last week's pre-season defeat to the Blues.

Chiefs: Arizona Taumalolo, Hika Elliot, Ben Afeaki, Craig Clarke, Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam (c), Sam Cane, Fritz Lee, Brendon Leonard, Aaron Cruden, Tim Nanai-Williams, Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui, Lelia Masaga, Robbie Robinson. Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, Toby Smith, Michael FitzGerald, Tanerau Latimer, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Andrew Horrell, Asaeli Tikoirotuma.