Chiefs: Messam gets his ton

Chiefs co-captain Liam Messam is to become the first Chief to play 100 Investec Super Rugby matches when the Chiefs play the Southern Kings this weekend.

The Chiefs have announced their team to play the Southern Kings at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth on Saturday morning, 6.10am New Zealand time (Friday 15 March 7.10pm SA time).

Once again Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has made several changes to his starting line up.  Prop Toby Smith, lock Michael Fitzgerald, loose forward Tanerau Latimer and Andrew Horrell all make the starting line up.

Former All Black and multiple Super Rugby champion Ross Filipo makes his Chiefs debut at No 8 and said “I’m really excited and want to get my first cap under my belt and join the boys.” Filipo has played No 8 for the Chiefs during pre-season and when he played in England.

Hooker Rhys Marshall comes onto the bench after flying over from New Zealand during the week after Mahonri Schwalger came home due to injury.

The Chiefs will celebrate Liam Messam’s milestone the following week at Waikato Stadium when they play the Highlanders on Friday 22 March and encourage Chiefs fans to get behind the impressive loose forward.

Liam Messam started his representative career with the New Zealand U16 Secondary Schools and played for the New Zealand U19s and U21s.  He made the New Zealand sevens team in 2002, was made captain in 2004 and named New Zealand Sevens player of that year.  He won his first Commonwealth Games gold medal at Melbourne in 2006 and made it a double by winning another in Delhi in 2010.

Messam made his All Blacks debut in 2008. He has been a part of the Maori All Blacks since 2006 and has captained the side.  Liam has also won a National Provincial Championship and the Ranfurly Shield with Waikato.

Chiefs Team

1. Toby Smith
2. Hika Elliot
3. Ben Afeaki
4. Craig Clarke ( C )
5. Michael Fitzgerald
6. Liam Messam  (100^th Match)
7. Tanerau Latimer
8. Ross Filipo (Chiefs debut)
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma
12. Andrew Horrell
13. Tim Nanai-Williams
14. Lelia Masaga
15. Gareth Anscombe
16. Rhys Marshall
17. Pauliasi Manu
18. Brodie Retallick
19. Sam Cane
20. Augustine Pulu
21. Charlie Ngatai
22. Patrick Osborne

Tags: Chiefs, Kings, Super Rugby