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One of Waikato's favourite sons is returning home for the Mitre 10 Cup
By Online Editors
Waikato have announced the signing of former All Blacks and Waikato fan favourite, Liam Messam, for the upcoming 2020 Mitre 10 Cup.
Messam, 36, returns to the province five years after his move to Japan to play for the Toshiba Brave Lupus and then a subsequent move to France to play for Toulon. Before his move overseas, Messam accumulated a total of 85 provincial caps over his 12 seasons for Waikato while he's also the most capped Chief of all time, with 179 to his name. Messam is also the only non-Crusader to have amassed 100 Super Rugby victories.
The 2015 World Cup medalist will partner up with the likes of Luke and Mitch Jacobson in the Waikato loose forwards while a number of former under 20 stars are also on the Mooloo's books.
Waikato head coach Andrew Strawbridge said “Waikato Rugby is proud to announce the signing of Liam Messam for the upcoming Mitre 10 Cup season.
"Messam is a very talented and vastly experienced player, who can play a range of positions in the loose forwards. He is another one of these players that cares deeply about the jersey, his teammates and is well respected by the province, so we are very fortunate to have him back in the colours.”
Messam first played for Waikato back in 2003 and while he won't be able to reach the 100-cap mark for Waikato this season, it will draw him nearer to that illustrious achievement.
The Mitre 10 Cup kicks off on September 11 and will likely have a far greater number of current and former All Blacks participating than usual due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
- with Waikato Rugby
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Latest Comments
I find it difficult to find anything meaningful in these stats. One sixty point blow-out or one very tight game where the lead changes six or seven times skews the figures completely. Secondly these stats do not take into account the level of play in the various leagues. Happy for rugby that viewership in the SR Pacific comp is growing - but still a fraction of the viewership in the URC or Top 14. So this table proves the SR Pacific is becoming more competitive and my next question is compared to what? This Lions tour is going to be very revealing and I sincerely hope the Aussies can grab a Lion’s Tout scalp - but for now comparisons between NH and SH comps is a bit empty of substance. I mean if it’s sheer excitement fans are looking for top schoolboy rugby offers that in spades.
Go to commentsRight, yep, and maybe this discussion is exactly why?!?!
Really commendable that theyre doing it with the non French players now too. Kinghorn in particular is going to want to be firing come a month after the T14 final.
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