Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for New Zealand's Herald.
I’m Liam Napier and I have been a journalist since 2010. Since I was a child, I’ve always loved sport. My grandfather was a champion boxer and journalist. Childhood memories are filled with him listening to cricket at the beach, watching old boxing fights, All Blacks tests and attending rugby matches that dad coached. I've dabbled in all codes and contests since the age of four – from athletics to cricket and rugby – and now have the scars and dodgy knee to prove it. As my writing developed through high school in Foxton, it merged with my passion for sport. After completing a Bachelor of Communications and Graduate Diploma in Journalism at Massey University, I landed my first job as a journalist at a Waikato suburban newspaper. Journalism has allowed me to travel the world, savour many memorable experiences and meet exceptional people along the way. Nothing matches the addictive buzz of attending major sports events, and I love the freedom of expression our industry provides. Sport, for many, is an escape from the real world. It is a privilege, therefore, to play a small part in capturing and sharing those moments that spark wild emotions within fans. Telling athletes' personal tales is another special part of my role. While rugby is a big beast in New Zealand, I’ve been fortunate to cover World Cups in netball and cricket, boxing world title fights, league tests, as well as the Commonwealth Games and Olympic athletes. Long may it continue.
Kick in the teeth: Chiefs fined for interference in win over Blues
The Chiefs were fined after their medic twice interfered with Blues' conversions.
NPC final: Savea rampages as Wellington seize extra-timevictory
The capital celebrates after the Lions' NPC victory over the Steamers.
'I don’t understand': NPC coach fires broadside at NZ Rugby over its future
Financial struggles and funding cuts threaten grassroots rugby.
'I've had to be patient': Cane reflects with All Blacks century in sight
The former captain can reach the sacred milestone on Saturday.
Liam Napier: The new caps to expect in Robertson's first All Blacks squad
OPINION: Scott Robertson will name his 32-man squad on Monday evening.
'Step too far': Smart mouthguards spark controversy
Several players were ordered from the field due to measurements recorded in their mouths.
Cane won't be risked for Namibia
Tentatively positive news on the reinforcement front for the All Blacks.
All Blacks squad naming: Barrett ruled out, Narawa heading home
The All Blacks have made some interesting changes ahead of the World Cup opener.
'It was just about stopping him': Cane cleared of sanction over kick
All Blacks captain Sam Cane has added his side of the story to the pitch invader incident.
‘Unacceptable’: Sam Cane speaks out on Super Rugby final referee abuse
All Blacks captain throws his support behind vilified Super Rugby final referee.
‘It doesn’t matter’: Sam Cane’s healthy dose of reality after Chiefs triumph
The Chiefs have every reason to celebrate, but they're not.
'You certainly feel it': Sam Cane opens up on feeling the weight of a nation
All Blacks captain Sam Cane feels the weight of a nation.
'A lot of hurt': Ian Foster's emotional All Blacks address
Foster has backed himself to turn things around as he named a new All Blacks squad.
'We're angry': Sam Cane demands All Blacks backlash
He's welcoming the chance to unleash fury and make amends for the Disaster in Dunedin.
'Scarcely believable': Blues shut out Chiefs for sixth straight win
As the Chiefs kept coming, the Blues kept defending.
The captain returns: Sweeping changes to All Blacks side
Sam Cane returns as captain and rookie lock Josh Lord is thrust into his starting debut.
Sam Cane opens up about All Blacks comeback
Sam Cane is content to take a patient, realistic approach to the All Blacks northern tour.
'Devastating': All Black breaks down during emotional Sean Wainui tribute
The All Blacks are struggling to come to terms with Sean Wainui's sudden death.
Why Sam Cane won't regain All Blacks captaincy on return
Sam Cane hopes to make his long-awaited comeback this weekend after pectoral surgery.
Chiefs reveal new coaching role for Gatland
Warren Gatland has a new coaching role with the Chiefs.
Arise Sir Buck! All Black great among eight new knights, dames
Wayne 'Buck' Shelford gratefully accepts his unexpected Knighthood honour.
Silver Lake deal one step closer as NZ Rugby posts big loss at historic AGM
NZR's provincial unions have voted unanimously in favour of the proposed Silver Lake deal.
Sam Cane: The big thing I underestimated about being All Blacks captain
Sam Cane has had plenty of time to reflect on the toughest season of his career.
Revealed: Plans for radical changes to Mitre 10 Cup
Provincial unions face radical changes to the Mitre 10 Cup competition next year.
Confirmed: Boks bail on Rugby Championship, new ABs fixtures announced
Unions brace for financial hit as World Cup champions opt out over welfare concerns.
Sam Cane to make return in star-studded match
All Blacks captain set to take on the Barrett brothers as stars return to provinces.
'Cruel omission': The biggest snub from North v South teams
Flanker the major causality as the North and South teams were revealed.
Exclusive: Aussie billionaire's sensational bid for new NZ Super Rugby team
Revealed: Local union's bold move as D-Day looms for future of the game in NZ.
Liam Napier: How season from hell exposed Warren Gatland's flaws
The Chiefs' record losing run has wiped gloss from Warren Gatland's coaching credentials.
Sam Cane's status revealed after horror head knock
All Blacks captain suffered horror head knock in Chiefs defeat in Wellington.
Were they robbed? Chiefs star's desperate plea after controversial finish
Anton Lienert-Brown could not conceal his frustration after a seventh straight defeat.
Crazy comeback: The halftime rocket that helped Highlanders stun Chiefs
The Highlanders have pulled off a dramatic second-half comeback to stun the Chiefs.
Big blunder: The video proof that left Chiefs fuming
Chiefs coach Warren Gatland has taken umbrage with Jordie Barrett's long-range hoof.
Clinical Crusaders extend Chiefs' misery
Crusaders unstoppable at home, but what has happened to Warren Gatland's Chiefs?
NZR confirm talks for All Blacks v Kangaroos
NZR boss has confirmed they're in talks to stage a hybrid clash between the sides.
Six in a row: Blues take down Chiefs to keep streak alive
The Chiefs lost their third home game in succession for the first time since 2002.
Super start: Gatland stuns dad in last-gasp thriller
Last-gasp drop goal by late Highlanders call-up seals thrilling win in opener.
Exclusive: NZ Rugby's multi-billion dollar move could see them leave World Rugby
Revenue crisis hits home as NZ Rugby could break free from World Rugby.
Family secret: Cane on keeping quiet over new role
Sam Cane hopes to be a tough but inclusive All Blacks captain.
'Super Rugby on notice': Chiefs run riot in Waratahs destruction
Chiefs piled on 38 unanswered points in the second half to destroy the Waratahs.
Liam Napier: Adesanya's unfiltered speech steals show
Israel Adesanya and Noeline Taurua come in from the cold to sweep the Halberg awards.
Who is in and who is out? Breaking down the ABs 31
The big day has arrived. Who will make the All Blacks 31 man World Cup squad today?
Secret to success: How Taurua planned Silver Ferns revival
Noeline Taurua proves she is one of netball's greatest coaches of all time.
NZ's 'netball genius' behind turnaround
Noeline Taurua has led the Silver Ferns from rock bottom to back to where they belong.
Gold for Silver Ferns! NZ crowned World Champions
The Silver Ferns, these marvellous mavens, are world champions.
The winners and losers from 'brutal' All Blacks squad naming
Who were the winners and losers from the All Blacks squad naming?
'More was expected': Chiefs stunned by Jaguares in playoffs
There was to be no fairytale finish for the Chiefs in 2019.
Chasing 20 seasons as a pro: Why Liam Messam wants more
Liam Messam sets sights on cracking 20 years of professional rugby - a feat few achieve.
ABs sevens face 'intense review' after third straight quarterfinal loss
Three quarterfinal losses in a row gives the NZ men's sevens team issues to confront.
Finally! Chiefs pile on points to end dire drought
Finally relief for the Chiefs, as they break two lengthy winless streaks at once.
All Blacks star's season over after fracturing neck
All Blacks flanker Sam Cane's rugby season is over.
The miracle comeback: How the ABs broke Boks hearts
The All Blacks stunned the Boks with their ability to stand up when it mattered most.
Silver Ferns into Games semis, now for credibility
Silver Ferns sneak into Commonwealth Games semis but must now regain credibility.
Silver Ferns coach 'must go after Malawi meltdown'
COMMENT: NZ netball at a crossroads: What happens next could shape the sport for years.
Comm Games: NZ's savvy tactic to win bronze
New Zealand's Commonwealth Games triathlon medal drought is over.
New captains this week for All Blacks
Barrett and Cane to share All Blacks captaincy with Kieran Read absent for Baabaas match.
Former Boks coach eyes Kiwi school teams
Top Kiwi first XV teams are being targeted for a new global event run by Heyneke Meyer.
