Rugby: All-round skills bring Messam back into fold

Liam Messam. Photo / Christine Cornege

Multi-skilled Liam Messam has won the battle for the All Blacks' looseforward vacancy as the selectors continue to tinker with those on the edges of their Tri-Nations squad.

Messam has been a yo-yo selection for the All Blacks since his 2008 debut, a player with a huge array of talent and captain of the NZ Maori, but an erratic reputation as well. He has played three tests and been left out of a number of other campaigns.

However, his growing leadership and versatile impact under the rule changes persuaded the selectors to pick him yesterday in their 28-strong squad for the six Tri-Nations tests against the Springboks and Wallabies.

The selection winners were Ma'a Nonu, Rene Ranger, Messam, John Afoa and Corey Flynn while the losers were Zac Guildford, Ben Smith, Luke McAlister, Adam Thomson, Neemia Tialata and Aled de Malmanche who have all been around the squad for the June tests.

There was no place for the people's favourite, Hosea Gear, in the two specialist wing choices or Smith, while the selectors decided not to pick a third halfback.

Those not available because of injury were Mike Delany, Stephen Donald, Jason Eaton, Andrew Hore, Lelia Masaga, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Isaia Toeava and Ali Williams.

Messam clocks on to cover blindside flanker and No 8 and Adam Thomson clocks out.

The rule changes, which have not encouraged specialist breakaways, helped Messam edge out others like Tanerau Latimer and Thomson. The selectors want Thomson to play provincial and sevens rugby to alter his game.

"We believe he can still cover seven and six but the game has become more of a continuity game at seven as opposed to making the tackle and pinching the ball and clearly that was one of Thommo's great strengths in last year's Super 14," forwards coach Steve Hansen said.

In this season's Super 14, Thomson was penalised regularly for that, so he needed more work on that skill.

Thomson's departure means a return for Messam, the 26-year-old who received a public scolding and fix-it list from Henry and Co for his inconsistency this time last season.

In contrast to mutterings earlier in the year, Henry was pleased with the player depth available for the squad.

"We are in a healthy situation, there has been some depth developed and the NZ Maori campaign helped," he said.

Gear's non-selection underlined the resources in some positions.

"It is just you can't pick 'em all," said Henry. "I feel for him because he has played some exceptional football.

"We have [Cory] Jane and [Joe] Rokocoko and we think they are the two best specialist wings in the country, in our opinion, and we have picked other players who can play there like Rene Ranger and Richard Kahui," Henry said.

In a squad of 28, the selectors need that versatility, while Smith added that Rokocoko remained the quickest wing in the squad. He had addressed the issues about his game and Rokocoko knew the heat was on.

Read was the best openside cover in the squad, he was better equipped for that role than any others apart from McCaw while Victor Vito, Messam and Jerome Kaino covered No 8.

Afoa had been chosen as a prop with the L-plates on for his hooking apprenticeship behind Keven Mealamu and Flynn, who needed to pass a warrant of fitness test this week.

There were reports Nonu limped out of a club game for Oriental Rongotai but Henry said he had heard only strong descriptions of his involvement for 70 minutes.

The 127kg Tialata had battled with the increased aerobic levels needed in the game and needed to make some changes.

Israel Dagg and Conrad Smith had recovered from their injuries and would assemble with the All Blacks in Auckland on Thursday to start their preparations for the July 10 Eden Park test against the Springboks.

Tri-Nations Squad

Forwards: John Afoa (Auckland), Anthony Boric (North Harbour), Tom Donnelly (Otago), Corey Flynn (Canterbury), Ben Franks (Tasman), Owen Franks (Canterbury), Jerome Kaino ( Auckland), Richie McCaw (capt, Canterbury), Keven Mealamu (Auckland), Liam Messam (Waikato), Kieran Read (Canterbury), Brad Thorn (Canterbury) Victor Vito (Wellington), Samuel Whitelock (Canterbury), Tony Woodcock (North Harbour).

Backs: Daniel Carter (Canterbury), Jimmy Cowan (Southland), Aaron Cruden (Manawatu), Israel Dagg (Hawkes Bay), Cory Jane (Wellington), Richard Kahui (Waikato), Mils Muliaina (Waikato), Ma'a Nonu (Wellington), Rene Ranger (Northland), Joe Rokocoko (Auckland), Conrad Smith (Wellington), Benson Stanley (Auckland), Piri Weepu (Wellington).