23 May 2012

Messam to become most capped Chief of all time

5:44 pm on 23 May 2012

The Chiefs co-captain Liam Messam will play his 90th match for the franchise in Friday night's Super Rugby match against the Bulls in Hamilton, making the loose forward the highest-capped Chief of all time.

Messam will surpass the previous record of 89 games, set by wing Sitiveni Sivivatu.

The Chiefs, who are currently top of the New Zealand conference, have made several changes to their starting line up as players return from injury.

Props Toby Smith and Ben Afeaki start, with Afeaki playing his first game for the Chiefs since his round one injury.

Jackson Willison replaces the injured Richard Kahui and Robbie Robinson comes on to the bench.

Halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow starts with Brendon Leonard moving to the reserves and Kane Thompson starts at number eight.