Chiefs flanker Liam Messam has been ruled ineligible for the Super Rugby playoffs.
Sanzaar made the extraordinary decision last night, just six hours or so before the Chiefs head to the airport for their long trip to Cape Town to play the Stormers in this Sunday's quarterfinal.
It's just the news the Chiefs didn't want to hear, following their 25‑15 loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday night and the knee injury to centre Seta Tamanivalu that has him missing the trip.
Messam was not part of the original squad of 40, to be eligible for finals matches he had to be in the country from April 1st, which he was, but also play four regular season matches and he only played two matches, against the Reds and Highlanders.
In the playoffs:
The Brumbies will host the Highlanders at 8.05pm Friday, the Hurricanes will take on the Sharks 7.35pm Saturday, the Lions will host the Crusaders 2.30am Sunday while the Stormers face the Chiefs at 5am
Source: stuff.co
