Liam Messam shock AB recall ?
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="593830" data-time="1467592675">
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<p>Donald wasn't an omission, was all part of the plan, made for better viewing!</p>
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<p>Well my facebook feed says that he's getting recalled this year, definitely true if it's on there.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="593827" data-time="1467591819">
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<p>Well ok, not a shock of Donald proportions but still a definite surprise.</p>
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<p>so when they both get recalls..???</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="593754" data-time="1467528868">
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<p>Yes I've noticed the AB water bottle carrier standards have not been world class this season. Definitely would be a massive boost to have Liam back.</p>
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<p>Certainly given that the AB water carrier will be lined up against Nathan Gray. I think a hard man like Messam is needed to counter that threat.</p> -
<p>I think with Messam who has just turned 32 and was a mainstay in the ABs (started at blindside whilst Kaino went OS), will be given every opportunity by the coaches to be brought back. Well I hope so any way. I think he's got just as much if not more to offer than Squire, Dixon, Luatua have.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="593899" data-time="1467610143">
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<p>I'm not sure if the coaches will want to carry another backrower who is in their 30s.</p>
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<p>We currently only have two backrowers in their 30s and neither of them are in the "Brad Thorn 30s" category (read 30 and Kaino 33)....</p>
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<p>The Lions series will be a big carrot for Kaino and Messam given they were not in the AB squad back in 2005.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="593905" data-time="1467612554">
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<p>We currently only have two backrowers in their 30s and neither of them are in the "Brad Thorn 30s" category (read 30 and Kaino 33)....</p>
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<p>The Lions series will be a big carrot for Kaino and Messam given they were not in the AB squad back in 2005.</p>
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<p>One's captain and the other is first choice in his position. They're hardly being "carried"</p>
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<p>I can't be fucked looking it up but is anyone else even 30 in the team ?</p> -
<p>Crockett is an oldie as well at 33 </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="593905" data-time="1467612554">
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<p>We currently only have two backrowers in their 30s and neither of them are in the "Brad Thorn 30s" category (read 30 and Kaino 33)....</p>
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<p>The Lions series will be a big carrot for Kaino and Messam given they were not in the AB squad back in 2005.</p>
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<p>The thing is, Messam plays the same positions as those two backrowers in their 30s. With the World Cup done, I don't really want to see an old guy backing up the other old guys, I'd rather see some younger guys developing behind them.</p> -
<p>be interesting to see what they do, not often the AB coaches could be accused of looking back when moving forward, and while you have Dixon and Squire to step in, the cauldren of TRC rugby might make them go with tried and true, that being said, I'd be a little surprised if they went back to Messam and didnt keep moving forward with the other 2.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="593915" data-time="1467615294">
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<p>The thing is, Messam plays the same positions as those two backrowers in their 30s. With the World Cup done, I don't really want to see an old guy backing up the other old guys, I'd rather see some younger guys developing behind them.</p>
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<p>Which is a fair point, but given the immediate step down of the 5 legends of last year, I would have thought keeping a bit of leadership experience in there for a year or 2 wouldn't hurt.</p> -
<p>I heard an interview with Messam on Sunday , and he was talking about what happens next , </p>
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<p>And he mentioned the uncertainty , he is on stand by for the Olympic Squad , but is also looking at getting back into 15s rugby , </p>
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<p>His playing weight for 7s is a fair bit lighter , so its a bit of a balancing act for him right now </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="593911" data-time="1467613905">
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<p>So Grandpa Messam might get a look in based on that then.</p>
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<p>He'll get a look-in - as with them (and SBW) if he is the first choice standout in his position (as Kaino, SBW & Read are).</p>
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<p>Is it 2013? Is he?</p>
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<p>Is he fuck.</p>
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<p>He'll be off to toshiba as contracted to take a well earned paycheck & one of the crop of Squire, Luatua or Dixon will develop to a level theyare good enough to ride pine behind the current guys. Only way he gets a look in is if Kaino is ruled out for the RC </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="gt12" data-cid="593920" data-time="1467617138">
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<p>I'm not sure that he's available anyway - he needed permission from Toshiba to play Super rugby. From my understanding, he'll come back for Super rugby next year, but that's it.</p>
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<p>Exactly. He'll be back with the Chiefs for 2017 but has a Japanese club season to play this season. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="594461" data-time="1467779051">
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<p>Exactly. He'll be back with the Chiefs for 2017 but has a Japanese club season to play this season. </p>
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<p>he's on the bench this weekend for the chiefs?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="594462" data-time="1467779149">
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<p>he's on the bench this weekend for the chiefs?</p>
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<p>See gt12s post above. Toshiba have given Messam permission to play for the Chiefs for the remainder of this comp only (as he would have had for the Sevens). Then he goes to Japan and is back in NZ for 2017.</p> -
<p>Unashamed Messam fan here, but this is a good article by Paul</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11669092'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11669092</a></p>
