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Oceansnz says...

@passtheball True, true. You make a good point. Well, it'll be interesting to see how he goes.

Posted 17:48 21st June 2012

jonesy2 says...

been an absolute beast for the mighty chiefs and he will do the same against ireland.

Posted 14:40 21st June 2012

sandal says...

Liam Messam is the fourth blindside flanker to play for the All Blacks in as many tests -- Kaino, Vito, Thomson and now Messam.

Messam has never looked the deal at international level, but given that NZ has only five Super teams he is not a bad fourth choice. How many countries could call on such a fourth choice?

I hope he performs well. But at the very least I expect our lineout to struggle.

Posted 06:23 21st June 2012

sukkadoits says...

Liam has had his problems in the past, mostly when playing at 8 having to make crucial decisions. Although a fine athletic specimen, he does have the tendency to make wrong decisions. This season playing at 6, he has been awesome. He has been getting through a ton of hard graft, playing a lot tighter but still able to break the line occasionally. With the injury situation as it is, Liam is the man to play 6 this weekend. He is in the form of his life, playing the best rugby of his career and i'm sure he'll provide the much-needed muscle the AB's need in the absence of Kaino, Read & co.

Posted 02:56 21st June 2012

passtheball says...

Oceansnz -- anyone who saw the team selected for that SA test knew the players were on a hiding to nothing. It was part of the overall plan in the build up to World Cup. Mostly "patsies" were selected and the management was prepared to throw that game. As a result all those players were made to look bad. Mind you Messam would not be the first or last player run down or over by a SA forward, especially in SA! Messam has never played in a full strength AB team - it makes a big difference. This Saturday is no different. So we shall see.

Posted 02:46 21st June 2012

NHsaints says...

Quality player...he's just had trouble converting that to international standard.

Posted 20:20 20th June 2012

Oceansnz says...

Liam Messam is the guy that fails miserably in test matches time and time again.

I remember watching him against Sth Africa last year. At one point he was at a ruck, completely ready to pounce on a Sth African ball runner. A few moments later, he's dragged for 5 or so metres and drops off the tackle. He never featured in the All Blacks after that.

Posted 14:07 20th June 2012

passtheball says...

Hansen has never been keen on Liam Messam so they will need to be desperate, through injuries, to start him. He has never started in a full strength AB side so its hard to rate his performances compared to say Kieran Read who has always played with the big boys . If he gets a chance lets hope he has a great game - he deserves it.

Posted 13:27 20th June 2012

porridge_time says...

Quality player and has showed some excellent form for the Chiefs... but has struggled at Test level in the past. So I'm sure if given the chance he will grab it with both hands.

Posted 12:22 20th June 2012

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