Rugby: Messam passed fit, Sonny Bill to start for Chiefs

Sonny Bill Williams will start at second-five for the Chiefs. Photo / Christine Cornege

Chiefs co-captain Liam Messam has been passed fit to play in the season opener against the Highlanders at Waikato Stadium on Saturday night.

Messam has not played a pre-season game after pulling a calf muscle in his warm-up for the first match against the Rebels in Melbourne.

He has been named at blindside flanker, with Sam Cane and Fritz Lee rounding out the loose forwards.

Coach Dave Rennie has named a strong backline, with Aaron Cruden at first-five, Sonny Bill Williams and Richard Kahui in the midfield, and Lelia Masaga on the right wing.

Brendon Leonard has got the nod to play at halfback ahead of Tawera Kerr-Barlow, who has been named on the reserves bench. Former Highlander Robbie Robinson will play at fullback.

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 tomorrow morning 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 side:
1. Arizona Taumalolo, 2. Hika Elliot, 3. Ben Afeaki, 4. Craig Clarke, 5. Brodie Retallick, 6. Liam Messam (c), 7. Sam Cane, 8. Fritz Lee, 9. Brendon Leonard, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Tim Nanai-Williams, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 13. Richard Kahui, 14. Lelia Masaga, 15. Robbie Robinson.

Reserves: 16. Mahonri Schwalger, 17. Toby Smith, 18. Michael Fitzgerald, 19. Tanerau Latimer, 20. Tawera Kerr- Barlow, 21. Andrew Horrell, 22. Asaeli Tikoirotuma.

Play Jimungo Virtual Rugby and be in to win a trip for two to L.A. & $2000 travel money, plus loads of spot prizes.