News

Messam told to work on errors

July 05 2009

Axed New Zealand loose forward Liam Messam has been told to go away and work on cutting down his error rate.

Messam was the biggest casualty when Graham Henry named his squad yesterday for the upcoming Tri-Nations series against Australia and South Africa.

With the loose forwards always going to be rejigged due to the return of first-choice players Richie McCaw and Rodney So'oialo, Messam paid the price for an error-strewn performance in the first Test against France losing out to Kieran Read, who replaced him at the back of the scrum for the remaining Tests against France and Italy.

Henry was blunt in his explanation for the 25-year-old's axing.

"He missed crucial tackles and turned the ball over, which cost us points. At Test match level you just can't afford to do that," the AB boss told the Herald on Sunday.

"He's got some things that win games, but he's got some things that lose games and that's the disappointment for us, and I'm sure the disappointment for him."

Messam, whose talent and versatility are unquestioned, missed a tackle on Francois Trinh-Duc in the lead-up to the French fly-half's try, although Read and Mils Muliaina did little better.

He made amends when he finished off a long range break out by Cory Jane just before half-time but made costly mistakes again when his chip kick and missed tackle on Louis Picamoles contributed to France's second try by hooker William Servat.

"At this level you just can't afford to have guys making errors that cost you, because you'll lose the Test match," Henry added.

"It might be great to watch but All Blacks can't afford to lose too often. You noticed the reaction when we lost to France."

New Zealand begin the defence of their Tri-Nations crown against Australia in Auckland on July 18.