Rugby sevens: Messam thankful for shot at Games dream

Liam Messam

MELBOURNE - If Liam Messam and his New Zealand sevens rugby team mates emerge from the Commonwealth Games wearing gold medals, he will be eternally in debt to Ian Foster and Jono Gibbes.

Days before the sevens squad for the Games were named, Chiefs forward Messam approached his coach Foster and captain Gibbes one last time, asking for a release for Games duty.
They gave him the nod and the former national sevens captain was out of his skin when he arrived with the squad late on Saturday night, confident they had a side capable of winning a third consecutive Games gold in the tournament on Thursday and Friday.

"After seeing the team win at Manchester (in 2002), it was my dream to come here," Messam said.

"Getting into Melbourne I was overwhelmed with all the excitement and hype of the Commonwealth Games. It really humbles me being here."

New Zealand Coach Gordon Tietjens was allowed to initially select just one player from each of the five New Zealand Super 14 franchises.

His hardest decision came at the Chiefs, where he plumped for the electric pace of winger Sosene Anesi over the leadership and power of Messam.

"I went to Ian and Jono again and asked if it would be all right to go and they were more than happy," Messam said.

"I was really grateful and now I just hope I can pay them back by giving it everything for my country."

Tietjens said he was fortunate that Messam, Crusaders forward Tanerau Latimer and Hurricanes utility back Tamati Ellison had barely played in this year's Super 14, so had been able to put in plenty of sevens-specific work.

"They actually turned up in very, very good shape," Tietjens said.

"We had a practice game the other day and they certainly stood up no problem whatsoever. They were in my side last year and haven't lost a lot in terms of what's required in sevens even though the game's evolving all the time."

Tietjens talked up the power of his forwards here but was also in awe of the pace of Anesi, who he believed would have the measure of any other player at the tournament for speed.

"He's lightning fast. I'd be surprised if there's anyone quicker than Sosene."

The New Zealand team had their first training run in very warm conditions yesterday.

Veteran halfback Amasio Valence continued his excellent recuperation from a knee injury, taking a full part, while Highlanders forward Josh Blackie sat out the final stages while he was shaking off the effects of an illness.

- NZPA