Friday 9th July 2010
Dear Diary
It's been an interesting few weeks. It all started when I got a phone call from Ted (Graham Henry), to let me know that I hadn't made the All Blacks Squad for the Steinlager Series. So I was pretty gutted. But then he told me that I was captain of New Zealand Maori for the Sealord New Zealand Maori Centenary Series. So my disappointment was pretty short-lived once I realised I would be involved with the 100 year celebration of Maori rugby.
Although I have been captain before there was a bit more responsibility and expectation this year. I think that started because of the pressure we put on ourselves as players. We set ourselves the goal of winning all three matches in the series even though we were up against top-quality opposition.
The first game against the NZ Barbarians was good because both teams threw the ball around and we were able to play open rugby. That's the way I like to play.
The Irish game was cool because it was played in my home town of Rotorua. All my friends and family came to watch the match. The game against England had a really good crowd; actually all of them were really well supported. It was awesome that we won the whole series. It makes you proud.
So after the Centenary Series was over, I was preparing my stuff to get ready to go to the Commonwealth Games for the Sevens. Suddenly I started getting texts from my friends and family to tell me that I made the All Black squad for the Investec Tri Nations Series. I was really surprised to make the cut, because I thought the boys had played well in the last three test matches.
So it's been a real roller coaster ride. Now I've been named on the bench for the test against South Africa on Saturday at Eden Park. I think I'm pretty fortunate, because of Victor's (Vito) calf injury I have been given an opportunity. I just have to get out there and grab it now.
Cheers,
Liam Messam
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