All Blacks: Haka an emotional tribute to mate - Messam

Liam Messam says he was breathless and caught up in the emotion of the Kapa o Pango when he began pulling at Dan Carter's jersey. Photo / Getty Images

Liam Messam had planned a special haka for Dan Carter but even he was surprised with the result - an emotional tribute to his mate which left him short of breath as he competed against the Twickenham crowd to make himself heard.

Messam said he was forced to pause for breath midway through the Kapa o Pango haka, reserved by the All Blacks for special occasions.

Slapping Carter on the back, he also dragged on the No10's jersey as his teammates put down a marker to England before their epic 30-22 come-from-behind victory which avenged last year's shock defeat.

The crowd started roaring Swing Low as soon as the All Blacks started, with Messam up for the challenge.

"What actually happened was I lost my breath and was about to faint because I was trying to drown out the fans and just had to regroup and regather myself before I fell over and embarrassed myself," he said.

"We had the same problem in Jo'burg [this year]. The haka for us is all about us connecting with each other and getting ready. When you hear a crowd roaring, it just sort of lifts you as well. It was awesome to be a part of it."

Asked about his back-slapping interaction with Carter, Messam said: "It was me paying my respects to a great man who was about to play his 100th test for the All Blacks. I warned him before the game that I was going to slap him but I didn't realise ... I just got caught up in all the emotion and stuff trying to drag him up. For me it was I guess [about] what he has achieved."

Carter's afternoon ended after only 26 minutes. Forced to leave the field with another Achilles injury, he won't be available for his team's final test of the year against Ireland in Dublin next Monday morning ahead of his sabbatical.

Messam, however, enjoyed a better day in what was a brutal encounter against England. He has continued his good form at blindside flanker, holding off the challenge of newcomer Steven Luatua, and the Chiefs skipper put his improvements down to time in the jersey.

"When I started my All Black career I was playing a lot at No8. In my last two seasons here I definitely had a good shot at playing in my preferred position at blindside."

Assessing the challenge Ireland will pose, Messam said the important thing was to get over the England battle as quickly as possible.

"A big part of it is getting our week right and getting into recovery. There are a lot of sore boys today.

"The job's not done yet. We want to make sure we finish the job."