That drive for the game is obviously a family trait.
Father Tom Coltman shows similar doggedness in supporting his son.
How much? Well, he drives to watch every game his son plays in Dunedin.
Not a huge effort if he lived in Mosgiel, or even Oamaru. But Coltman senior lives in Oakura, just south of New Plymouth.
A road trip to Dunedin is a journey of more than 1100km. It takes him 16 hours to get to a match in Dunedin, including a ferry crossing.
Yet he has not missed his son in action at home for either Otago or the Highlanders since the burly hooker first made the Otago team in 2010.
Liam says his father could fly but is just as happy driving and never complains.
The Coltmans will be at Westpac Stadium tonight, watching their son, hopefully, be part of a Highlanders victory over the Hurricanes, and complete what has been a dream week for the bushy-bearded hooker.
Coltman (24) was named on Monday in the All Black wider training squad, and will head to Christchurch on Sunday for the first camp.
Last season he was an ''apprentice'' hooker for a couple of days with the All Blacks, so he is now another step closer to making the national side.
Coltman said one facet of his game was getting most of his attention.
''I've just got to keep working on my throwing. That has always been a key of mine to get right. I just have to keep working on it and my work-rate around the field,'' he said.
''Last year [in the camp] there was an emphasis on doing your homework and knowing your role nice and clearly so you can do your best when you are on the field.
''This is the first camp I have been to and I want to put my best foot forward and tick all the boxes that they need me to do. I am a wee bit nervous but I'll just put that to the side and work through it.''
A couple of years ago, the black jersey was a distant dream.
In 2012, Coltman had six months out with a bulged disc in his neck. Although it came right with rest, Coltman said it was in the end good for him.
''It was a long time ago now. It has done my footy some good - put a new perspective on things.
"I had been doing the rugby thing since I came down here and then all of a sudden, no gym, no rugby, no running. Nothing at all. You get a fresh appreciation of what you have to do.''
Coltman will duel it out with Chiefs rake Nathan Harris for the third hooking role in the All Blacks.
But before the All Black camp comes the match against the Hurricanes.
''It is a big game. Every game at this time of the season is big. It is coming down to the crunch time. We just have to stick to our game plan and do that well.''
The Highlanders are nursing some injuries, including first five-eight Lima Sopoaga who has not recovered from a high ankle sprain, while the Hurricanes are not without their own problems and have hooker Dane Coles out with a back injury.
Jarrad Hoeata will play his 50th game for the Highlanders and will want a big game after a rest last week.
The Hurricanes can be something of a Jekyll and Hyde team.
They have match-winners all over the park but sometimes are let down in not doing the basics.
Highlanders v Hurricanes
Wellington, tonight 7.35pm
Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-captain), Richard Buckman, Malakai Fekitoa, Shaun Treeby, Jason Emery, Hayden Parker, Aaron Smith, Nasi Manu (co-captain), Shane Christie, Elliot Dixon, Joe Wheeler, Jarrad Hoeata, Ma'afu Fia, Liam Coltman, Kane Hames.
Reserves: Ged Robinson, Matias Diaz, Aki Seiuli, Tom Franklin, Gareth Evans, Fumiaki Tanaka, Trent Renata, Phil Burleigh.
Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (captain), Tim Bateman, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Motu Matu'u, Ben Franks.
Reserves: Ash Dixon, Chris Eves, Reggie Goodes, Blade Thomson, Ardie Savea, Brad Shields, Chris Smylie, Alapati Leiua.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
