Chiefs and All Black first five Aaron Cruden will add the role of co-captain to his playmaking duties in this year's Super Rugby Championship.

The Super Rugby champions announced the co-captains today with 25-year-old Cruden named alongside inspirational loose forward and All Black Liam Messam – who retains the role for a third year.

Aaron Cruden and Liam Messam against the Brumbies in the 2013 Super Rugby Final. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie says the appointment of the two is a no brainer with both players reflecting the Chiefs culture.

Cruden takes over from lock Craig Clarke, co-captain for the last two seasons, now plying his trade in Connacht, Ireland.

'Liam has been huge for us. He has an enormous work ethic and has led us to back-to-back championships. He is an uncompromising player and a leader who epitomizes Chiefs Mana,” says Rennie.

'Aaron has been a massive influence in our success to date. His rugby knowledge, attitude and ability to direct a game is impressive. He is greatly respected, a natural leader and will thrive with this added responsibility.”

Cruden has shown outstanding form for the back-to-back defending champions – officially acknowledged after winning the Chiefs Player of the year for two years in a row.

He also has previous experience in the captaincy role, captaining the New Zealand U20s to a World title win in 2009 and Manawatu at the age of 20-years-old.

'It is a huge honour to co-captain the team with Liam. We have clear goals that we want to achieve and know it's important that we work harder than ever in order to reach those,” says Cruden.

Messam is the highest capped Chief with 113 matches and Aaron Cruden has played 36 matches for the Chiefs.

With months of fitness and pre-season training under their belts the squad will play their first pre-season match against the Queensland Reds in Toowoomba this Saturday evening, 6pm Australia time.

Their final pre-season match pits them against the Blues on February 14, at Rotorua International Stadium before opening their campaign with a first up clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch.