Test Centurion: Keven Mealamu
Keven Mealamu will win his 100th cap for New Zealand after being named in the starting XV for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia in Brisbane.
Mealamu, who has captained New Zealand in three Tests, is just the third All Black to reach the distinguished milestone, following captain Richie McCaw and full-back Mils Muliaina who played their 100th Tests during last year's Rugby World Cup.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said Mealamu, richly deserved the accolade.
"On behalf of the All Blacks players and management, I want to congratulate Keven on reaching this very special milestone," he said.
"'Kevvy' is a hugely respected man, not only in the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby but also in his wider community; he is a key leader in the team and one of the true gentlemen of New Zealand rugby.
"I know his family are extremely proud of him and so is his All Blacks family."
Hansen said he expects a difficult task against the Wallabies this weekend.
"Playing Australia in Brisbane represents another great challenge for the team and one which we are looking forward to," he explained.
"We have prepared well so far for the Test and, as always, the challenge for the team is not only the opposition, but also meeting our own expectations when it comes to the standard of our performance.
"Australia sees Suncorp Stadium as their fortress which only enhances the challenge from our point of view."
Apart from Mealamu ,who replaces Andrew Hore, the run-on side features just one other change from that which started the last Test of the Rugby Championship against South Africa 12 days ago, with prop Charlie Faumuina getting his first Test start, coming in for Owen Franks who moves to the bench.
Other changes on the bench sees Victor Vito replacing Adam Thomson as loose forward cover, while Ben Smith takes over from Tamati Ellison as the replacement outside back.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks will take a travelling squad of 26 to Brisbane for the Test, with Ellison, Julian Savea, Ben Franks and Sam Cane joining the match-day 22.
Thomson and prop Wyatt Crockett will stay in New Zealand and will be available to play for their respective ITM Cup sides in the competition's semi-finals this weekend.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith.
Date: Saturday, October 20
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 20:00 (10:00 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Comments
Ferdie says...
NZ news reporting Adam Thomson heading overseas, has not re-signed with Highlanders or any other Super franchise, so maybe his match v SA 2wks ago was his last match for NZ, unless he's on the NH tour squad which i think would be unlikely if he's notified NZRU of his move.
Posted 00:11 19th October 2012
abfixit says...
Congratulations KM!
Posted 12:09 18th October 2012
melkdave says...
Have to ay thats a very powerfull team NZ have selected ,Didnt expect king richie to play if honest.Nice to see though,that even though the Blesidoe iswrapped up for annotheryear,NZ arnt sitting back.Also given the injuries ect in the wallaby camp,this could be a real thrashing on the cards 60+ anyone??
Posted 11:45 18th October 2012
Kiwikev says...
@ stag
Yes Keven tipped BOD on purpose; he has a massive record of that type of thuggery...SMH
Posted 11:40 18th October 2012
paulynz says...
7 years ago! Let it go for gods sake!
Posted 11:18 18th October 2012
powerplay says...
Absolute legend! First Allblack Front rower to reach 100! No disrespect to the other centurions, but to reach 100 and to do it playing in the front row, that's just a whole nutha level!!!
Posted 11:16 18th October 2012
stag says...
If 'Kev' is the gent that all and sundry say he is, he must have had a road to damascus moment after his thuggish and cowardly spearing of o'driscoll in 05. He'll only ever be remembered up here as the guy who ruined that year's lion series and maybe also as the guy who would lead the haka and then walk over to the replacements bench cos andrew hore was twice the player.
Posted 09:42 18th October 2012
sharkie says...
go the nugget!! great man! great player, people can learn from him.
Posted 09:24 18th October 2012
Propmelsey says...
Congratulations x
Posted 09:10 18th October 2012
hayj05 says...
I'm happy they've stuck with the big guns, why not go for the record & a perfect season? What else do these current AB's have left to achieve?
A winning streak record would be great & who knows how far they could extend it. A perfect season would be just as satisfying as it is yet to happen in the pro era (both Ireland & the AB's have had undefeated seasons but they included a drawn test).
If they had put their second sting players / inexperienced players out there it would of been suicide against a fired up Australian team at their favourite ground.
Posted 01:06 18th October 2012
paulynz says...
That the ABs have put out their (almost IMO) strongest possible 15 is more a sign of respect for the second ranked team in the world than any record.
Posted 23:53 17th October 2012
philipjfry says...
Ugly f-er, but he does all right on the park, no question.
Posted 21:44 17th October 2012
carpelone says...
Mealamu is a respected player and an example for his community. His brother is involved in school sport and you can see that he brings his very value on the pitch. I am glad you are getting this big honour. He never created any problem on the pitch. Well deserved. Well done, Keven.
Posted 20:31 17th October 2012
Mace says...
Congrats Kevvy!!! I hope you pull a top draw performance out this weekend. You have been another great servant to our All Blacks Legacy. Please kick their arses boys they're talking themselves up yet again. And my predictions, Wannabies to get their arses kicked and Robbie's career will be over at the hands of the All Blacks!!! You herd it right here PR.
Posted 19:56 17th October 2012
UBA05 says...
I thought Nz would give the 2nd stringers (If any of the current ABs really are second string quality) a run against a far from full strength aussie side. They really must be after that Lithuania record!!!
The current aussie team would be the 1st to admit that this is a far more different beast than the Puma team they managed to upstage. All i say to them is WATCH OUT!!!
Posted 19:07 17th October 2012
comeonletsplay says...
Nice
Posted 18:59 17th October 2012
paulynz says...
Congratulations to KM. Probably a good pick for the run-on side for, hopefully, a hard and fast Suncorp. I'd be fine with AH starting though.
Would have preferred Owen Franks starting as I think he's the best all-round tight-head prop in the world at the moment and probably has been for a wee while now. Gotta have faith in the selectors though.
Other than TH prop probably the strongest possible starting 15.
Could have gone either way with Retallick/Romano and Gear/Savea. Any of these players could start.
Good to see Ben Smith and Victor Vito on the bench. Thought Sam Cane may have made the bench as some extra speed in the loose could be useful in the second half if the track is hard and fast and Deans brings on Gill to pair with Hooper. But I guess if the ABs start turning over too much ball at the breakdown they'll simply tighten the game up, trust their defence, and play the pressure game.
Can't wait for kick-off...
Posted 18:37 17th October 2012
makemehappy says...
Thank god they are trying out another prop! Really has been naive not to do so before, given their huge dominance of games.
Posted 17:59 17th October 2012