Rugby: Messam's form a gem amid Chiefs' muck

A blindside collision course with George Whitelock will test Liam Messam's talents for the Chiefs tonight. Photo / Getty Images

That Liam Messam had committed to New Zealand rugby beyond the World Cup was the sort of news that could have slipped by unnoticed, despite the urging of the NZRU not to "underestimate his decision to stay".

It didn't, partly because it was released on a slow news day, but mainly because the 27-year-old loose forward is quietly compiling an excellent season.

Quietly because it's not easy to make a lot of noise when you're playing in a team that has bamboozled with its inconsistency. Not easy, either, when you're a loose forward playing behind a tight five that has started to implode.

Messam's work has been up there with the best of his career.

Forced to play tighter than he might be naturally inclined, Messam's increased physicality might go some way to answering those who believe he is simply too small at 1.9m and 108kg - it's hard to say whether his listing at 120kg in the Super 15 media guide is a sly dig at his critics or a typographical error - to be an effective international loose forward.

Messam's resolve will be tested once more tonight, when he shifts from the back of the scrum to blindside flanker to accommodate punishing Counties backrower Fritz Lee.

That sets him up on a collision course with the in-form George Whitelock and, depending on how the game pans out, a possible meeting with All Black captain Richie McCaw who is expected off the bench at around the 50-minute mark.

Messam has done his best work so far at No 8, which shows he's nothing if not adaptable, though it also reinforces the notion that he is a jack-of-all-loose-forward-trades, master of none.

The move to blindside also, though indirectly, pitches him into battle with the Highlanders' Adam Thomson, whose electric form for the one-time Super rugby strugglers has most predicting an international recall.

Thomson's show-stopping form has largely been based on his ability to pick his moments to range wide on the tramlines and take advantage of mismatches on defence. It's the sort of rugby the highly skilled Messam would no doubt love to be playing, but the Chiefs have no shortage of players who can do damage out wide, yet relatively few who are adept at making yards in among the bigger boys.

Messam could be forgiven then for feeling a bit twitchy about his chances of Tri-Nations and World Cup selection. With that in mind, versatility might be his greatest asset.

On last year's Grand Slam tour he made big strides, particularly when he started in the 49-3 romp against Scotland. Although never in danger of unseating Kieran Read or Jerome Kaino from their favoured 1st XV status, he at least proved to the coaches that he had test-match temperament.

The World Cup is a massive lure for Messam, but that's not why he re-signed with the NZRU.

The six-test All Black said he was keen to start a brood of Messams "and there is nowhere else in the world I want to be playing right now".

"While doing well for the Chiefs is the immediate goal and the All Blacks is the obvious goal for everyone later in the year, I'm keen to continue beyond this year and that was why I have re-committed to New Zealand rugby," Messam said.

Raised in Rotorua, Messam has become a fixture in Waikato and Chiefs colours.Tonight's match will be his 71st for the franchise, while he has amassed 82 for his adopted province.








A four step plan for victory

The TAB have put the Crusaders at prohibitive favourites to win tonight and with good reason. For the Chiefs to have any chance they need the following four blocks to fall into place.

1. BELIEF

It's a concept, but it should be evident within the first 15 minutes as to whether the Chiefs genuinely believe they can beat their more vaunted opponents. The Crusaders are better than any other team at exposing insecurity.

2. THE PACK

The Chiefs tight five needs to hold their own. Nobody expects them to dominate a pack that includes Brad Thorn and the Franks brothers, but they need to get their own set-piece ball and hit a few rucks hard.

3. FINISH

They have to take their chances. Creating opportunities has been the least of the Chiefs' worries, it's the execution that has let them down badly. A team that has as much strike power as the Chiefs should have scored more than 14 tries, two per game. By contrast, the Crusaders have scored 25 in six. (On the other side of the coin, the Chiefs defence has been good, conceding 11 tries while the Crusaders have conceded 12 in one less game.)

4. A BIT OF LUCK

Matt Berquist needs to have another off-night with the boot. Normally reliable off the tee, Berquist has landed just seven of 13 attempts this campaign.