Editorial: Fish hooks likely in Chiefs' co-captaincy

Liam Messam. Photo / APN

We have become accustomed to co-leaders of certain political parties and co-principals of the odd school, but co-captains of a rugby team? The Chiefs will be watched with added interest this season after the announcement that Liam Messam and Craig Clarke will share the captaincy.

The reason given by new coach Dave Rennie is that the super rugby competition has been extended this year and Messam and Clarke, "with their complementary skill sets", will be able to share the load.

Others will see it as a blow to Messam who, at 27, an All Black, captain of New Zealand Maori and captain of Waikato last season, must have had the inside running.

Clarke, 28, captain of Ranfurly Shield-winning Taranaki, has played 58 super rugby games. He is not exactly a bolter.

Since one is a loose forward and the other a lock, they are likely to be on the field at the same time. Who then calls the shots? And if they are designated captain for different games, an internal competition will develop. Each will want the team to have a better record under him. The squad might suffer divided loyalties.

Then again, it might work.

Graham Henry has bequeathed the "leadership group" to rugby teams, in which senior players take responsibility for leading different facets of play. But someone has to be captain when the referee wants a call. A rugby match allows no time for a political parlay or a discussion between co-principals.

One of them will turn out to be chief.