New Zealand's flanker Sam Cane attends a training session at Penny Hill Park in Bagshot, south-east England, on October 27, 2015, during the Rugby World Cup 2015. New Zealand will play Australia in the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham on October 31. / AFP / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)
New Zealand's flanker Sam Cane attends a training session at Penny Hill Park in Bagshot, south-east England, on October 27, 2015, during the Rugby World Cup 2015. New Zealand will play Australia in the Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham on October 31. GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images

All Blacks flanker Sam Cane has been named co-captain of the Chiefs with Aaron Cruden for their 2016 Super Rugby campaign.

Cane replaces experienced flanker Liam Messam in the role, with Messam choosing to focus on sevens rugby this year, having been Chiefs co-captain with five-eighth Cruden for the past two seasons.

Cane, who turns 24 next week, became the fifth-youngest player to captain the All Blacks when leading them against Namibia during pool play at the Rugby World Cup in England.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said the appointment allowed them to share the significant workload the captaincy involves.

Read more at FoxSports.com.au