Putting his hand up: Keven Mealamu
Related links
Teams
Also see
Hooker Keven Mealamu says taking on the Pumas pack on Argentine soil is the biggest challenge the All Blacks will face this year.
The Rugby Championship newcomers gave New Zealand a rough ride for 60 minutes in Wellington a fortnight ago and Mealamu reckons facing a fired-up set of Pumas forwards is one of the most difficult tasks in world rugby.
"For us I think it's right up there as a forward pack," he told reporters in Buenos Aires.
"Argentina have really set the bench mark so for us to be able to play them at home, it's the biggest challenge we'll face this year definitely."
Mealamu was among the senior squad members given the night off when the All Blacks were given a mighty scare at Velez Sarsfield Stadium in 2006 as they held on for a 25-19 win under intense pressure.
"I can remember the game quite vividly, hearing the chanting of the crowd was amazing," Mealamu recalled.
"In Argentina it's like they grow another leg, they're so much more confident at home and their passion goes to another level when they're playing on front of their own people. I remember seeing that intensity for pretty much the whole game."
The 96-Test veteran's name has been thrown into the hat as a likely successor to Richie McCaw when the All Blacks skipper takes a six-month sabbatical next year.
Although Mealamu stressed there are a number of possible leaders in the team, he would be thrilled to have another chance to captain the side.
"If that's what the All Blacks need then I'll definitely put my hand up and want to do a good job as well," said Mealamu.
"Skip's (McCaw) been a big part of how this team functions and it's a successful way as well so I don't think much will change."
"There's a lot of experience in our team and there's a few guys that can definitely step up and some good leaders in the team that could do the job.
"It's a tough gig. I think we're very lucky to have such a good platform, that we can go out and play well and still lead the team at the same time.
"It's something that you'll always cherish and probably one of the toughest jobs that you could do out there."
Comments
Kiwidiver says...
Pumas game plan is as transparent as the Boks have been - kill the ball...slow the game down...disrupt the opposition. I'd be surprised if Stevo (Hansen) doesn't have a counter to this. There is also enough wisdom and experience in the AB's pack to not get rattled by the Argie support.
I agree with Piete, the AB's are not as good as popular opinion would have you believe - but tha Mai is right - the AB's themselves are under no illusions about their current form. If the AB's do hit this mythical potential that everyone believes they have, then I pity the side that faces them.
My pick, the result of tomorrow's game will never be in any doubt - NZ will control the game for the full 80, and the pressure will always be on Las Pumas to catch up.
As for world records, our Saffa contributors probably have it pegged - the game against Die Bokken will no doubt be the toughest hurdle - but I can't help thinking maybe they've blown their best opportunity in Dunedin (thanks Greyling). I'm probably more interested to see what happens in the 3rd test of the (already decided) Bledisloe series - An AB win here will bring up an even 100 victories against the Wallabies since the two sides started playing each other in 1903.
Luck to all - (especially the younger Boks - who I think will be the benchmark players soon)
Posted 18:22 27th September 2012
MadTripa says...
Hello fellas, what´s up if NZ remakes his big mistake of RWC 2007, calling for big party before time (NZ 18 FR 20).
I have just a feeling.. NZ could will be bitten the dust in books home at the end.
Just in case... welcome to La Plata
VAMOS PUMAS!!!
Posted 11:43 27th September 2012
Rosbif says...
sorry masar, i'm not claiming or repeating anything. and the evidence is on the tape! check it out. both teams go through periods of having the ball and not having the ball. both have periods where they try to play with tempo, and where they try to slow the other team's tempo. i'm not saying anything about the result, the ref, whether one team deserved it etc etc. just making the point about tempo. it's the same for both teams. peace :-)
Posted 09:35 27th September 2012
Rosbif says...
sorry masar, i'm not claiming or repeating anything. and the evidence is on the tape! check it out. both teams go through periods of having the ball and not having the ball. both have periods where they try to play with tempo, and where they try to slow the other team's tempo. i'm not saying anything about the result, the ref, whether one team deserved it etc etc. just making the point about tempo. it's the same for both teams. peace :-)
Posted 09:35 27th September 2012
masar says...
@rosbif i have, the fact that people keep repeating it over and over again and claiming it (without evidence whatsoever) as a fact doesn´t make it true
Posted 00:25 27th September 2012
Rosbif says...
@masar. i would encourage you to check the tape of the last 30 mins of RWC final. then maybe reflect a little on your comments. all teams do it methinks.
Posted 16:28 26th September 2012
masar says...
@pampa afraid? proyecting much? just commenting on topic... must not be very smart if you have to adjudicate me an obviously false emotiional state to make a point... but anyway...
not afraid at all of a team that can't propose anything valuable on attack, plays the "i just want to defend so let's kick everything" gameplan, and in defense just disrupts the game with their messiness.
i'd be ashamed if i was competitive only beacuse i'm able to wreck or foil this beautiful game.
by the way... being called into attention twice for slowing the game by taking minutes to get to a lineout??? embaaaaarrasing.... "eureka! if we want to be competitive... lets not play! let's play the least minutes out the total 80, that way we'll be more competitive""... one thing is to make it slow by competing, but this???? shame shame shame...
Posted 13:08 26th September 2012
Ferdie says...
pietie - this is a short 'cut' from his interview, designed to wind-up readers perhaps. Mealamu said in same interview about the All Black forward pack: "To be pretty blunt, we've been adequate".
Not much over-confidence in that statement, is there?
Posted 04:06 26th September 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
I interpret the comments to mean Mealamu considers their pack to be right up there with the best, as he obviously says.. but I'd say the "biggest challenge we'll face this year definitely" comment is relating to playing Argentina in Argentina.. the whole team in general, not just the pack. i.e. it's new to a lot of the ABs, the travel, the culture, the mental, physical challenges etc.. the opposition.. all of it has created the biggest challenge of the year. Butinteresting comments by Mealamu, means they know the enormity of the task ahead and should be very seriously on their game this weekend. I hope.
Posted 03:41 26th September 2012
sandal says...
Hey, Kev got in a "year definitely"! What a maestro!
Posted 02:21 26th September 2012
sandal says...
@Piete
You say: ""only the Boks' laager mentality prevented a second successive win for the Boks in Dunedin"".
In other words, the Boks would have won if they had played differently and had played better. Well, no one can argue with that. And we all agree that a loss in such circumstances is as good as a win. So chalk that one up for South Africa. Chalk up every game South Africa has ever lost, but might have won if they had played better, as a win.
@tha_mai
Virtually every word you say to Piete is right.
Posted 02:18 26th September 2012
PAMPA says...
masar
I like your comment...
"puma pack: overrated cheaters..."
dont be a pussy, are you afraid or what?, we are not going to kill the All Blacks in Argentina, only beat them up...
Posted 22:56 25th September 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
ABs were not lucky v Boks. They were the better team on an off day and there is no doubt they would have upped their game if Boks has slotted a few kicks. ABs didn't need to be good. Pumas are probably the greater challenge as they're improving whilst Boks are going down the spout.
Posted 14:03 25th September 2012
masar says...
puma pack: overrated cheaters
all blacks lucky?? guess they've been lucky 14 times straight, wow!.. and goin for 18 lucky matches!!
Posted 13:44 25th September 2012
makemehappy says...
Of course Wales' pack is a different league too! Look at what Adam Jones did to Roncero last time - amazed he wanted to play again! The only problem with the AB's is their scrum isn't that great. Surprised they aren't testing out a couple more players who played very well at prop, in the Super Rugby competition!
Posted 13:18 25th September 2012
three6three6 says...
The ABs are not likely to lose against the Pumas..... but the BOKKE will be a difficult proposition in Soweto.... The ABs may finally start to show their real pedigree...
Should the ABs win the next two matches then they will deserve the world record!
Posted 12:58 25th September 2012
tha_mai says...
Pietie - where have the All Blacks said they are good? I've yet to see any NZ media raves about this team, the reports have been consistently in the 'must do better' category, as have the comments from coach and players. The most common theme has been that the opposition has been poor - even that 22-nil win over Wallabies was a weak success given how many lost opportunities there were.
A loss in Argentina wouldn't surprise too many, a win means the match v SA has no value as the RC title is won, not that they can field a weak team from within this named squad but the pressure would certainly be off.
Still - it is seven wins from seven this season, and no one else has that stat. You claim 'luck' for Dunedin - but just perhaps SA were 'lucky' to escape with two draws earlier this year? In the end it is the team with more points on the board, luck counts for nought.
Posted 12:42 25th September 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
I don't think its a dead cert that the Boks will win in SA but I think you're right that they are the biggest threat to NZ's world record bid. Especially as SA will be keen to keep their joint ownership of the world record.
Anyway I love it, the championship is decided really, but the world record and grand slam are keeping things spicy. I'm surprised the media and unions aren't making more of it though. It should sell tickets or get people to tune into SKY or Fox sports.
Posted 11:19 25th September 2012
porridge_time says...
New Zealand is currently not as good as they think they are.
Are you meaning the Kiwi fans or the AB's themselves?
Posted 11:06 25th September 2012
hayj05 says...
@Rugby_rockstar - I don't know about that. Wallabies always have the ability to pull out a big one against the AB's... even with their injuries. They'll certainly be motivated after their first 2 tests against the AB's.
My guess is that the Boks & Pumas packs will be equally as challenging on home soil. Both are renowned for their fowards & for being completely different challenges on home soil.
Posted 10:25 25th September 2012