Liam Messam
New Zealand
player portrait
Full name Liam Justin Messam
Born March 25, 1984, Blenheim
Current age 39 years 360 days
Major teams Barbarians, Chiefs, New Zealand Maori, Toulon, Waikato, New Zealand
Position Back-row
Height 6 ft 3 in
Weight 238 lb

Test career
Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw %
All Tests 2008-2015 43 30 13 30 6 0 0 0 38 4 1 89.53
Bledisloe Cup 2012-2014 6 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 1 91.66
IRB Rugby World Cup 2015-2015 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 100
The Rugby Championship 2010-2015 18 12 6 15 3 0 0 0 16 2 0 88.88

Career statistics
Test debut Scotland v New Zealand at Murrayfield, Nov 8, 2008 match details
Last Test New Zealand v Tonga at Newcastle, Oct 9, 2015 match details
Test Statsguru Main menu | Career summary | Match list | Most points | Most tries | Tournament list
Profile

A versatile back-row with a tremendous pedigree in Sevens rugby, Liam Messam has established himself as a valuable member of the All Blacks squad.

Messam broke into the Chiefs side in 2006 and, after proving himself in Super Rugby over the course of the next couple of seasons, he was handed his All Blacks debut at the tail end of 2008, in the November international against Scotland at Murrayfield.

His second cap came against France in Dunedin the following year and Messam marked the occasion with a try. However, New Zealand slumped to a shock defeat on a day on which their forwards struggled and Messam did not return until the clash with Italy in Milan later in the year.

The game against the Azzurri was noteworthy for Messam because in his two previous outings for the Kiwis he had been deployed as a No.8; against Italy he was used as a flanker. His versatility was being viewed as a hindrance in his attempts to nail down a regular berth in the All Blacks back-row.

He made two appearances against the Springboks during the 2010 Tri-Nations, both as a replacement flanker, before playing his part in New Zealand's Sevens triumph at the Commonwealth Games.

But while his international aspirations stalled when he missed out on a spot in the All Blacks' squad for the 2011 World Cup, he was shining on the Super Rugby stage. His impressive form for the Chiefs during the 2012 season saw him help propel them to their maiden title with him scooping the man-of-the-match gong in the final.

He was simply too good to be left out of the All Blacks' set-up. He established himself as their first-choice blindside during the 2012 Rugby Championship and the 2013 Super Rugby season saw Messam continue his impressive form.

Similar to 2012, he inspired the Chiefs to the Super Rugby title and in a direct copy of the previous year, he won the Man of the Match award.

Latest Articles
Liam Messam fit to play for All Blacks against Tonga but Waisake Naholo hurt (Oct 6, 2015) Messam to farewell All Blacks at World Cup (Aug 31, 2015) Liam Messam relaxed about All Blacks hopes (Aug 21, 2015) SBW, Messam sign off on Sevens switch (Aug 19, 2015) New Zealand's management team fined after Wallabies clash (Aug 18, 2015) Liam Messam news and articles (92) »
Latest Photos
Jul 6, 2015
New Zealand's Daniel Carter and Liam Messam are welcomed at Faleolo Airport
New Zealand's Daniel Carter and Liam Messam are welcomed at Faleolo Airport
©  Getty Images
Apr 17, 2015
Jordan Taufua of the Crusaders is tackled by Liam Messam of the Chiefs
Jordan Taufua of the Crusaders is tackled by Liam Messam of the Chiefs
©  Getty Images
Jan 31, 2015
Liam Messam waits with Anthony Mundine for the result of his first boxing bout
Liam Messam waits with Anthony Mundine for the result of his first boxing bout
©  Getty Images
Nov 22, 2014
Malakai Fekitoa, Richie McCaw, Keven Melamu, Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Patrick Tuipulotu, Charles Piutau and Augustine Pulu celebrate their final match of the year
Malakai Fekitoa, Richie McCaw, Keven Melamu, Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Patrick Tuipulotu, Charles Piutau and Augustine Pulu celebrate their final match of the year
©  Getty Images
Liam Messam rugby photos (55) »

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.