All Blacks great Liam Messam lands key role in new sevens coaching team

The All Blacks Sevens have confirmed their coaching staff to take the side to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with former player Willie Rickards set to be elevated to the top job after two years in the program as assistant coach.

Alongside Rickards, former player Scott Curry has been appointed as assistant coach after being brought into the coaching group in late 2025, while Liam Messam will complete the set up as performance coach.

The trio will navigate a critical two years for the program, with the 2026-2027 HSBC SVNS Series seeing the top four sides in the World Championship achieving automatic qualification for the 2028 Olympics.

Their appointment comes after former head coach Tomasi Cama stepped down after three years in the role, a period which saw mixed success in the regular season, but who finished with a bronze in the 2024-2025 men’s grand final and a silver in the 2025-2026 World Championship.

Rickards will face the big task of getting the side back to the top of an increasingly competitive SVNS Series – however he’ll have a bounty of experience at his disposal in his coaching group.

Having spent 14 years coaching following playing for the All Blacks Sevens, Rickards has enjoyed a strong tenure for NPC side Taranaki, being part of the coaching staff that won the 2014 NPC Premiership, and leading their sevens program to a national title in 2013.

He has also served as an Assistant coach for New Zealand U20s, guiding the side to the World Rugby U20 Championship title in 2017.

“To be entrusted with leading the All Blacks Sevens is an incredible privilege,” Rickards said.

“This team has played a significant role in my life, first as a player and now as a coach, so to be given the opportunity to lead the programme is both humbling and exciting.”

Rickards will be well supported, with his support staff both former captains of the side.

Curry played 321 games for the All Blacks Sevens, winning six World Series titles and achieving medals at both the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games, as well as winning the New Zealand Rugby Sevens Player of the Year award four times.

Messam is also heavily decorated in both formats of rugby, being a two-time Commonwealth Games medalist in the shorter format. For the All Blacks, he earned 43 caps, which included being part of the 2015 Rugby World Cup winning side, as well as winning two Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs.

“We have a talented group of players and staff, including Scott and Liam,” Rickards added.

“To have two former captains with experience across the World Rugby Sevens Series, including Olympic and Commonwealth games campaigns, will have a significant impact across our school, club, provincial and national sevens programmes.

“The All Blacks Sevens jersey carries a proud legacy. Our responsibility is to honour those who have gone before us while continuing to evolve, improve and create an environment where staff and players are achieving excellence.”

“We’re excited about what Willie, Scott and Liam will collectively bring to their respective roles,” New Zealand Rugby Sevens High-Performance lead Hannah Porter added.

“Willie brings a strong coaching skill set to the Head Coach role, with a proven ability to build high-performing environments, develop people, and drive consistent performance.

“Together, the coaching group brings complementary strengths and a shared vision that will continue to grow the programme and position the team to consistently perform on the world stage as it builds towards the 2028 Olympics.

“Scott and Liam have playing careers that speak for themselves.

“Their understanding of the All Blacks Sevens environment, combined with the leadership, care and standards they demonstrated throughout their careers, will be invaluable to support the continued growth of this group.”

The coaching staff’s first task will be to commence preparations for the 2026-2027 SVNS World Series, with the first leg kicking off in Dubai at the end of November.