Liam Squire was one of the most feared players in world rugby, he had an incredible ability to throw his body into contact with zero thought of self preservation. While that approach helped Liam Squire the player, it's taken a serious toll on the body of Liam Squire the man. He's had an endless amount of injuries throughout his career and is now left with serious hip pain, shoulder pain and knee pain as he moves into the next chapter of his life.

In this Fan Favourite episode of What a Lad, Liam opens up about the full journey through rugby and life. From growing up in Tokoroa and finding his way into professional rugby, to becoming an All Black, dealing with injuries, stepping away from the 2019 Rugby World Cup and ultimately being forced into retirement.

Some parts that stood out for me in this episode were…

How quickly his rise from provincial rugby to becoming an All Black

Dealing with the fame of becoming an All Black

Winning a Super Rugby title with the Highlanders and the culture that made that team special

Why he never felt completely comfortable in the All Blacks environment

The pressure and scrutiny leading into the 2019 Rugby World Cup

His battles with injury and the mental toll of spending so much time on the sidelines

Being told by a surgeon that if he wanted quality of life later on, it was time to retire

How he has adjusted to life after rugby and what retirement has really been like

This episode was recorded back in 2021 but this conversation shows a side of him that most people have never seen. Honest, reflective and incredibly open, this is a fascinating insight into the highs and lows of professional rugby and the price that can come with giving everything to the game.

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