Super Rugby: Liam Messam more than happy to lend a hand to kickers ahead of quarter-final

If the Chiefs don't play another home game this season, at least Liam Messam's exit from Waikato Stadium was a spectacular one.

Headed to Toulon in France to continue his playing career, the Waikato and Chiefs loose forward made sure he gave the home fans something to remember against the Hurricanes last Friday – putting in a cross-field kick at the hooter, which led to a Hurricanes try.

If you ask his teammates, the Chiefs' most-capped player has probably had his kicking licence revoked. If you ask Messam, you'd think he's eyeing a career as a kicking coach when his playing days are done.

"If you actually look at the skill set of it, that kick was right on the money; right where those sort of kicks should be," Messam said. "I've already told Damian (McKenzie) and the other kickers that that's where it needs to be.

"I knew the clock was up and we were up by a few so I thought why not try something ... let's be fair though, that kick was on the money."

Messam will depart the club at the end of their Super Rugby season after more than 175 appearances since making his debut in 2006, as well as more than 80 appearances for Waikato at provincial level since his first match in 2003. Since then, Messam has won the Ranfurly Shield, Super Rugby titles, Rugby World Cups and Commonwealth Games gold.

The 34-year-old says the game has made him the man he is today and, now with the Chiefs playing sudden death football, his next game could be his last for the club. The Chiefs' road to the Super Rugby title begins in Wellington on Friday night against the Hurricanes.

The Chiefs beat the Hurricanes last time out, but Messam expected the side to be a whole different beast playing on their home turf.

"We've got to make sure we turn up and we're a different beast as well," Messam said.

"It's going to be a brutal encounter, but we understand straight away that this is going to be a different Hurricanes side."