Liam Messam

Liam Messam achieved the pinnacle of sevens rugby in 2004, captaining the New Zealand sevens team to its fifth IRB Sevens World Series title and earning the prestigious New Zealand Sevens Player of the Year award. His early rugby career began with national secondary schools’ team selection (2001-2002) and national under 19s (2003). He joined Gordon Tietjens’ national sevens squad, becoming a regular on the international sevens circuit by 2003-2004. Messam further solidified his legacy in the shorter format of the game by securing two Commonwealth Games gold medals for Rugby Sevens, first in Melbourne (2006) and again in Delhi (2010).

Transitioning to the 15-a-side game, Messam secured a permanent starting position with the Waikato representative side in 2005, captaining them to a Ranfurly Shield victory in 2006. He joined the Chiefs squad in 2006, where he would become a pivotal leader. Messam made his All Blacks debut in 2008, going on to earn 43 test caps, and captained the New Zealand M?ori team in 2010. He notably co-captained the Chiefs to consecutive Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013, also receiving the Tom French Cup (M?ori Player of the Year) in both years.

In 2020, he diversified his professional portfolio by co-founding Ora CBD, a company dedicated to natural alternative health solutions. Messam formally retired from rugby in 2022, signaling a new phase in his multi-faceted career. Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to new challenges, Liam Messam announced in 2024 his plan to compete in his first-ever IRONMAN competition in March 2025. This rigorous event, set to take place in Taup?, New Zealand, will see him tackle the demanding swim, bike, and run disciplines, further underscoring his extraordinary tenacity and enduring pursuit of peak physical and mental performance across diverse sporting arenas.