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

Messam broke into the Chiefs side in 2006 and, after proving himself in the Super 14 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 Tri-Nations, both as a replacement flanker, before playing his part in New Zealand's Sevens triumph at the Commonwealth Games. Messam was then included in the All Blacks squad for their end-of-year tour and was handed a start, on the blindside, against Ireland in Dublin.

In April 2011 he re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and Chiefs Super Rugby franchise until the end of 2013.