Liam Messam grateful to Chiefs after missing out on Olympics

All Blacks flanker Liam Messam thanked his Super Rugby franchise Chiefs and the Japanese club Toshiba for reposing faith in him after the 32-year-old was left out of the Olympics sevens squad.

Following the 2015 World Cup victory, Messam had dedicated his time for the sevens rugby in a bid to represent New Zealand Sevens in the upcoming Rio Olympics. However, the Blenheim born flanker was left out of the 12-man All Blacks squad for the Olympics despite his rich experience in the format.

Messam, who was represented All Blacks 43 times, was named as a replacement player for the Chiefs for the Friday’s match against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane while Toshiba, who has signed him for the next two years has allowed him to participate for his Super Rugby franchise for the remainder of the season.

Messam was pleased with the support he had received from both the Chiefs and the Toshiba and stressed on the need to remain fit in case of any injury casualty in the 12-members sevens squad. Messam also admitted he gave his best during the training with the sevens team.

“But I have no regrets because I gave it my all, and that’s all that I could ask of myself – to go out there and give everything that I had," said the All Blacks veteran.