Messam comes into All Blacks frame
Sun, 05 Oct 2008 09:14
Waikato skipper Liam Messam has come into contention for an All Black call-up.
Messam, who has represented New Zealand at Sevens, is said to be at the front of a short queue of candidates to snatch the seventh spot in the squad's roster of loose forwards.
The Sunday Star-Times understands Messam, All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen, his Chiefs coach Ian Foster and Waikato coach Tony Hanks held a meeting in Auckland during the Tri-Nations during which Hansen is believed to have sent strong signals Messam was in contention.
Such meetings between All Blacks coaches and players on the fringe of selection are not unusual. However, it lifted Messam's spirits after Otago's Adam Thomson overtook him on the pecking order earlier this year. And it's understood Messam has addressed several of the areas he was asked to work on during the Air New Zealand Cup.
Unfortunately for Messam, a hamstring injury which flared again on Thursday against Taranaki, when Graham Henry was on hand to assess his progress, has not aided his cause. But Messam's utility value is believed to have nosed him in front of his main rival, Canterbury's Kieran Read.
Both men are best suited to playing No 6, but Messam is equally able at No 8.
The All Black selectors this week publicly announced their intention to groom an understudy to Richie McCaw during their November northern hemisphere tour, putting Auckland's Daniel Braid and Bay of Plenty captain Tanerau Latimer back in the frame.
However, Messam can play No 7 too, making him a viable option off the bench.
McCaw, Rodney So'oialo, Jerome Kaino, Thomson and Sione Lauaki will presumably tour leaving Messam and Braid as the likely candidates to fill the last two spots.
Another of Henry's proteges, flyhalf Stephen Donald, injured his ribs in Waikato's last gasp win over Taranaki. However, he's expected to be fit for next week's quarterfinals.
Anthony Tuitavake came back from a broken cheekbone to spark the North Harbour backline at Mt Smart on Saturday, while in Dunedin Thomson showed his versatility in taking the field at No 7 for Otago.
Meanwhile, the rumour mill has been working overtime this week with speculation rife Leon MacDonald is poised to pull the plug on his career. MacDonald is still suffering the after effects of a concussion earlier this year. However, a player source in the Canterbury camp painted a far rosier picture saying "Leon is probably only a couple of weeks away" from becoming available and has been training strongly.
However, Canterbury coach Rob Penney said "it would be a long shot or a big bonus if he was to become available for selection for us at least. He's not figuring in my plans anyway and I'm not sure what the All Blacks selectors are thinking. But if he's available he seems to be able to find form pretty quick so I guess he still a chance [to tour]."
