Liam Messam: Adoption, Chiefs Mana & Why He's In Gilbert Enoka's 'Human Library'

Liam Messam is one of the most beloved figures in New Zealand rugby. Two-time Super Rugby champion, All Black, World Cup winner, and a 20-year servant of the Chiefs. But behind the jersey is a story most people have never heard. Adopted at six weeks old into a Rotorua family that went on to foster close to a thousand children, Liam opens up about identity, belonging, and the household that gave him everything he is today. In this episode we get into the conversation with Gordon Titchens at 16 that changed the trajectory of his career, being cut from the 2011 World Cup squad and walking through Auckland Airport alone into a media scrum, what Chiefs Mana actually means and where it came from, why Gilbert Enoka personally called him to be part of the 2023 World Cup Human Library alongside Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Keven Mealamu, leading the haka for the All Blacks after being voluntold by Keven Mealamu, getting a yellow card as a water boy at the World Cup, and completing an Ironman at 108kg with almost no marathon training. Plus lessons from Richie McCaw, Sonny Bill Williams and Dave Rennie, why he signed his last Waikato contract for $1, and how losing his mum to dementia shaped the brain health supplement brand he's building today. Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by the legends at Barkers Clothing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You can listen to Liam Messam: Adoption, Chiefs Mana & Why He's In Gilbert Enoka's 'Human Library' online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Liam Messam: Adoption, Chiefs Mana & Why He's In Gilbert Enoka's 'Human Library' is an episode from Between Two Beers Podcast by Steven Holloway.

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This episode was published on Mar 15, 2026.

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