Liam Messam
Liam Messam (born 25 March 1984) is a retired New Zealand rugby union player renowned for his versatility as a loose forward, primarily playing number eight and blindside flanker.[1] Born in Blenheim, Marlborough, Messam rose through the ranks at Rotorua Boys' High School before debuting professionally with Waikato in the National Provincial Championship and earning recognition in the New Zealand Sevens team, where he was named national player of the year in 2003.[1][2] He joined the Chiefs in Super Rugby in 2006, becoming the franchise's most-capped player with 184 appearances, co-captaining the team to back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.[1][3][4][5] Messam debuted for the All Blacks against Scotland in 2008, accumulating 43 Test caps and 30 points (six tries) through 2015, including participation in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, while also representing New Zealand Māori and winning gold medals in rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne (2006) and Delhi (2010).[1] After leaving the All Blacks, he spent three seasons in Japan's Top League with Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo from 2015 to 2017, briefly returned to the Chiefs, then signed with RC Toulon in France's TOP14 from 2018 to 2020.[6][4][7] Messam rejoined Waikato for the 2020 and 2022 NPC seasons, reaching 100 provincial caps in 2022, and officially retired from rugby in 2022 at age 38 to pursue boxing and other athletic endeavors, including completing his Ironman debut at IRONMAN New Zealand in March 2025.[8][9] Throughout his 19-year professional career, Messam earned accolades such as the Tom French Memorial Māori Cup in 2012–13 for outstanding performance and an honorary degree from Wintec in 2017 for his contributions to rugby and community.[1][10]Early life
Upbringing and family
Liam Messam was born on 25 March 1984 in Blenheim, New Zealand.[2] Shortly after his birth, he was adopted by Lewis and Wanda Messam, a couple from Rotorua who raised him alongside their three biological children and four other adopted siblings, forming a family of eight.[2] The Messams operated a large, supportive household in a working-class environment, fostering hundreds of children over four decades while providing a stable home filled with encouragement for their children's pursuits.[11] Messam grew up with Māori heritage (Ngāi Tūhoe), which influenced his early sense of identity in this multicultural family setting.[12] The family dynamics emphasized resilience and communal support, with Messam's parents actively nurturing their children's athletic interests despite the demands of caring for numerous foster children.[13] His younger brother, Sam Messam, pursued soccer and earned caps for the New Zealand All Whites national team, highlighting the household's encouragement of sports as a pathway for success.[14] A key event in Messam's youth was relocating from Rotorua to the Hamilton area after high school, seeking greater rugby opportunities with the Waikato region.[15]Introduction to rugby
His initial exposure to rugby came during his early school years, playing alongside siblings in local settings before honing his skills at Rotorua Boys' High School, where he emerged as an exceptional schoolboy athlete.[1] At around age 10 to 12, Messam began developing his game through community and school programs, transitioning from casual play to structured youth competitions that emphasized his physicality and agility as a forward.[2] Messam's progression through age-group representative teams was rapid, beginning with standout performances in the national secondary schools squad for three consecutive years from 2000 to 2002, including victories over Australia (44-0) and England (33-7).[2] He earned selection for the New Zealand Under-19 team and the New Zealand Colts, showcasing his versatility in the loose forward positions of flanker (No. 8) and No. 8.[1] While still in school, Messam joined the national sevens squad in 2002, where his explosive speed and ball-handling skills as a powerful, adaptable forward quickly distinguished him in the faster-paced format.[1] A key early accolade came in 2004 when Messam was named New Zealand Sevens Player of the Year at the age of 20, recognizing his leadership and contributions to the team's success, including captaining them to the IRB Sevens World Series title. This period marked the emergence of his playing style as a robust, multi-dimensional back-rower capable of dominating breakdowns and contributing dynamically in open play, setting the foundation for his future professional endeavors.[1] By his late teens, Messam had also begun training with local clubs in the Hamilton area, bridging his youth development to provincial opportunities with Waikato.[1]Rugby career
Provincial and Super Rugby
Messam made his professional debut for Waikato in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) in 2004, appearing in 11 games as a flanker and substitute while scoring 3 tries and 1 drop goal.[16] He remained a consistent performer for the province in subsequent seasons, including 2005 when he started 8 games and scored 2 tries.[16] Over his NPC tenure with Waikato, Messam established himself as a versatile loose forward, contributing to the team's forward pack with his physicality and ball-carrying ability, though specific try-scoring peaks were modest compared to his Super Rugby output.[16] In 2006, Messam joined the Chiefs for Super Rugby, beginning a 13-season association that lasted until 2018 and saw him become one of the franchise's most enduring figures.[17] He amassed 179 appearances for the team through 2018, scoring 31 tries and providing leadership in the back row.[18] Following the retirement of previous captain Mils Muliaina, Messam was appointed co-captain in 2012 alongside Craig Clarke, a role he shared with varying partners through 2015.[19][16] Under Messam's co-captaincy, the Chiefs achieved significant success, winning back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013—the franchise's first championships.[1] In the 2012 campaign, Messam was instrumental in the Chiefs' run to the final, showcasing his defensive solidity and offloading skills in key playoff matches. In the 2013 final against the Brumbies, he delivered a standout performance by scoring the game's first try from a five-meter scrum and earning man of the match honors for his 17 tackles and powerful carries.[20] His contributions during these title-winning seasons were recognized with the Tom French Cup award for outstanding Māori player in both 2012 and 2013.[1]International career
Liam Messam made his All Blacks debut on 8 November 2008 against Scotland at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, coming on as a substitute in a 32–6 victory during the end-of-year tour.[1] Over his international career, he earned 43 test caps through 2015, primarily as a blindside flanker (27 appearances) and occasionally at No. 8 (5 appearances), scoring 6 tries in total.[1] His selection was often bolstered by strong performances in Super Rugby, where his versatility and work rate in the loose forward role caught the attention of national selectors. Messam contributed to New Zealand's successes in the Rugby Championship, playing key roles in the 2012, 2013, and 2014 title wins, including scoring two tries in the 2013 decider against South Africa that secured a 38–27 victory and retained the championship.[21] Messam was omitted from the 2011 Rugby World Cup squad despite his domestic form, a setback he later described as a pivotal learning experience that fueled his resilience.[22] He returned to the international stage for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, named in the 31-man squad and making a brief appearance as a replacement in the pool match against Tonga, playing the final 15 minutes in New Zealand's 47–9 win.[1] The All Blacks went on to defend their title, defeating Australia 34–17 in the final, marking Messam's contribution to back-to-back World Cup triumphs as part of the broader squad effort.[9] In the sevens format, Messam captained the New Zealand team to gold medals at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, showcasing his leadership and speed in the abbreviated game after debuting internationally in 2002.[23] He aimed to return to sevens for the 2016 Rio Olympics but was not selected for the final squad.[24] Messam led the All Blacks haka on multiple occasions, a role he viewed as a profound cultural honor rooted in his Māori heritage, often stepping forward for high-stakes matches to channel team intensity.[25] Notable instances include leading Ka Mate against England at Twickenham in 2013, where the performance nearly overwhelmed him amid the crowd's response, and captaining Kapa o Pango against Australia in the 2014 Rugby Championship at Eden Park.[25][26]Later years and retirement
After leaving the All Blacks in 2015, Messam spent three seasons in Japan's Top League with Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo from 2015 to 2017, where he made his debut in November 2015 and contributed with tries in competitive matches.[27] He briefly returned to the Chiefs for the 2018 Super Rugby season before joining RC Toulon in France's Top 14 competition on a two-year contract starting after that campaign.[28] During his time with Toulon from 2018 to 2020, he appeared in 38 matches, scoring 5 tries, and contributed to the team's efforts in both domestic and European competitions, bringing his international experience to a squad featuring several World Cup winners.[6] Amid the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Messam returned to New Zealand in 2020, prioritizing family time with his young sons while resuming play at the provincial level with Waikato in the Mitre 10 Cup (later Bunnings NPC).[29] He featured prominently for Waikato in 2020 and 2021, helping the team in their campaigns and nearing 100 caps for the province despite COVID-related interruptions.[7] [30] In 2021, Messam made a surprise return to the Chiefs as an injury replacement, playing four Super Rugby matches and adding to his franchise record of 179 appearances.[31] [32] As a seasoned leader, he embraced a mentorship role, guiding younger loose forwards through high-pressure games and providing tactical insights drawn from his extensive career. Messam continued with Waikato in the 2022 NPC season, achieving his 100th cap, before retiring from professional rugby at age 38. He cited persistent injuries accumulated over two decades, a desire to focus on family responsibilities, and interest in pursuing other athletic endeavors as key factors.[8] [33] The Chiefs honored his contributions with tributes highlighting his role in two Super Rugby titles and his status as the franchise's most-capped player, while Waikato recognized his loyalty through community celebrations of his provincial legacy.[5]Boxing career
Professional record
Liam Messam made his professional boxing debut on 31 January 2015 at Allphones Arena in Sydney, Australia, while still an active rugby player, securing a unanimous decision victory over Rhys Sullivan in a four-round bout.[34][35] Following his retirement from professional rugby in 2020, Messam transitioned to full-time boxing, resuming competitive bouts in 2021 and leveraging the physical conditioning and power developed over his rugby career.[34][36] Competing in the heavyweight division, Messam stands at 6 ft 3 in (1.90 m) tall with a 75.6 in (192 cm) reach, attributes that complement his rugby-honed strength and endurance.[37] As of his most recent fight in November 2024, Messam's professional record is 7–1–1, comprising 1 win by knockout (14.3% knockout rate) and 6 by decision, with fights totaling 34 rounds.[34][38] Messam's bout history reflects a steady progression, with early sporadic appearances giving way to more consistent activity post-retirement:| Date | Opponent | Location | Outcome | Method | Rounds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-01-31 | Rhys Sullivan | Allphones Arena, Sydney, Australia | Win | Unanimous decision | 4 |
| 2021-04-21 | Joe Ageli | Don Rowlands Event Centre, Lake Karapiro, New Zealand | Win | Unanimous decision | 4 |
| 2022-05-21 | Thomas Russell | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | Win | Unanimous decision | 4 |
| 2022-07-22 | Tussi Asafo | YMCA Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand | Win | TKO | 2 |
| 2022-12-22 | Mathew Matich | Grassroots Trust Velodrome, Cambridge, New Zealand | Win | Unanimous decision | 4 |
| 2023-11-25 | Kyle Merewether | YMCA Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand | Win | Unanimous decision | 4 |
| 2024-05-25 | Darryl Takerei | TSB Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand | Win | Unanimous decision | 4 |
| 2024-09-14 | Nikolas Charalampous | Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland, New Zealand | Draw | Majority decision | 4 |
| 2024-11-20 | Curtis Scott | Panthers Rugby League Club, Penrith, Australia | Loss | Unanimous decision | 4 |