Liam Justin Messam (born 25 March 1984) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays TOP14 for RC Toulonnais. In Super Rugby, he previously played for the Chiefs, and for Waikato in the ITM Cup. Messam predominantly plays as a blindside flanker but can fill in at Number 8 as well as openside flanker. After the retirement of then Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina, Messam was named the team's new co-captain from 2012 onwards, alongside Aaron Cruden.

Quick Facts Birth name, Date of birth ...

Liam Messam

Birth name	Liam Justin Messam
Date of birth	(1984-03-25) 25 March 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth	Blenheim, New Zealand
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
Weight	109 kg (240 lb)[1]
School	Rotorua Boys' High School
Notable relative(s)	Sam Messam (brother)
Spouse	Monique Corbett
Rugby union career
Position(s) Blindside Flanker, Number 8 Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2005–2016 Hautapu RFC () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2015–2018 Toshiba Brave Lupus 26 (15) 2018–2020 Toulon 38 (25) Correct as of 11 May 2021 Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 2003– Waikato 104 (148) Correct as of 15 September 2022 Super Rugby Years Team Apps (Points) 2006–15, 17–18, 21– Chiefs 184 (160) Correct as of 11 May 2021 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2008–2015 New Zealand 43 (30) Correct as of 11 May 2021 National sevens team(s) Years Team Comps New Zealand 21 Correct as of 11 May 2021
Boxing career
Statistics
Weight class	Heavyweight
Height	190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Boxing record[2]
Total fights	5
Wins	5
Wins by KO	1
Losses	0
Draws	0
Medal record Men's rugby sevens Representing  New Zealand Commonwealth Games 2006 Melbourne Team competition 2010 Delhi Team competition

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He is also a professional boxer.

Messam made his professional boxing debut in January 2015 against Rhys Sullivan on a Sonny Bill Williams undercard.^[5] Messam won the fight by unanimous decision.^[6] Messam returned to the ring six years later to fight in a professional fight for charity to raise funds for Tauranga 8-year-old Antonio Pohatu-Barbarich who is being treated for brain cancer.^[7][8] Messam took on Joe Ageli in his return fight in April 2021, winning by unanimous decision. Since returning to professional boxing, he has started training with Hit Fitness HQ under retired professional boxing, Cairo George. In the same camp is Olympic Bronze medalist David Nyika.^[9] Messam returned one year later in New Plymouth, taking on Thomas Russell.^[10] Messam won his third professional fight by unanimous decision. After a charity fight under Fight for Life, Messam returned to the professional ring in July 2022 against Tussi Asafo.^[11] Messam won his first win by stoppage. In December, Messam finished his 2022 boxing year by taking on Mathew Matich.^[12] Messam won the fight by Unanimous Decision.

Messam's brother, Sam Messam, played in the All Whites side at the 2008 London Olympics.^[13]

Throughout his professional athlete career, Messam developed a preference for natural alternative health options to relieve both physical pain and mental challenges high-profile athletes experience. After witnessing the detrimental effect conventional pain relief and mental health medication has on close friends and family, Messam founded Ora CBD alongside Teddy Stanaway in 2020.^{[citation needed]}