Rugby: Messam back in Chiefs' starting side

Liam Messam.
Liam Messam.
Skipper Liam Messam will be back in the Chiefs' starting line-up when the Super Rugby champions host the Crusaders in Hamilton on Saturday night.

After a spell on the bench against the Melbourne Rebels last weekend, Messam returns to the No.6 jersey in a rejigged loose trio.

Tanerau Latimer, in his 100th match for the Chiefs, goes from blindside to openside, with Sam Cane dropping to the bench.

At No 8, Liam Squire comes in for Kane Thompson.

There are three other changes to the starting 15, with loosehead prop Pauliasi Manu, halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow and winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma, who was out for two weeks with a knee injury, all back.

Lock Brodie Retallick, in doubt earlier in the week because of suspected concussion, has been cleared to play after passing the required tests.

Latimer, 27, began his Super Rugby career with the Crusaders in 2006 before moving to the Chiefs the following season.

He will become the second Chiefs centurion after Messam achieved the feat last year.

Chiefs: Tom Marshall, Tim Nanai-Williams, Andrew Horrell, Bundee Aki, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Gareth Anscombe, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Liam Squire, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam (capt), Brodie Retallick, Michael Fitzgerald, Ben Tameifuna, Rhys Marshall, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Nathan Harris, Jamie Mackintosh, Josh Hohneck, Matt Symons, Sam Cane, Augustine Pulu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordan Payne.

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