Commonwealth Games
Messam gets Sevens call
ESPNscrum Staff
September 27, 2010
Waikato's Liam Messam looks to pass, North Harbour v Waikato, ITM Cup, North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand, September 4, 2010
Liam Messam has been called up to the New Zealand Sevens squad © Getty Images
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Waikato back-rower Liam Messam has been drafted into the New Zealand Sevens squad for the Commonwealth Games as replacement for injured Otago flanker Adam Thomson.

Messam, who skippered the New Zealand Maori this season and has been capped five times by the All Blacks, won a Commonwealth gold four years ago and has another shot at the top prize following Thomson's knee injury.

"Adam was a big loss but we have been fortunate enough to now include Liam in our preparations," Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens said. "He has had the experience of playing in a Commonwealth Games before and that will be invaluable once we get to tournament time."

The tournament has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons in the past week, with concerns over the condition of the athletes' village and living quarters dominating the coverage. The squad departs for Dubai on Friday, where they will be based before heading to New Delhi on October 6.

Messam was not concerned by the change of pace and hopes to enhance his breakdown work with a stint in the shortened form of the game.

"The change in law interpretations has transformed the pace of fifteens this season and I think getting back into Sevens will only enhance my game in that area," he said. "I have also been lucky enough to win one gold medal already and the opportunity to win another one is not something that comes along every day."

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