Sports

12 facts about Keven Mealamu

One of the true gentlemen of world rugby, Keven Mealamu is New Zealand’s most-capped Super Rugby player of all time.

The RWC final between NZ and Australia will be the last game for All Black - Keven Mealamu.

Check out these 12 facts you may or may not have known...

He was a standout performer in the All Blacks RWC 2011 success, turning out in six matches in the Tournament and captaining the side against Japan.
Keven has been wearing the black jersey since 1995, when he turned out for New Zealand Under 16. Despite the long career his passion for rugby and the respect with which he is regarded by teammates and opponents remains undimmed.
Mealamu took on a new leadership role in 2006, captaining the Blues through a challenging Rebel Sport Super 14 campaign.
During 2005, the livewire hooker delivered several stand-out performances for the All Blacks, including a match-winning try against South Africa at Dunedin and the clincher against England at Twickenham in November.
Mealamu scored three tries in his first seven games for the Blues in the 2007 Rebel Sport Super 14 after scoring four in 70 previous matches.
In 2008 Mealamu again featured heavily in the All Blacks, playing in every test match, competing with Hurricanes hooker Andrew Hore over this time, and often coming off the bench as the ultimate impact forward.
That same year Mealamu captained the All Blacks against Scotland in their Grand Slam tour, becoming the first hooker since Sean Fitzpatrick to lead the national side in a test match.
In 2009 and 2010 Mealamu captained the Blues in Super Rugby and also achieving the notable milestone of 100 Super rugby caps.
The 2011 Investec Super Rugby season saw Mealamu feature in every Blues match (18 games) and cement his position as one of the world's leading rakes.
He played in every game for Auckland since his debut in 1999 until All Blacks selection intervened in 2003 and 2004.
Played as a flanker for New Zealand Under 16 and New Zealand Schools before switching to hooker in 1998.
His brother Luke played two Test matches as a flanker for Samoa in 2000.

Wishing Keven all the best for the future!

Keven Mealamu video tribute courtesy of Mario Gaoa

12 facts about Keven Mealamu

He was a standout performer in the All Blacks RWC 2011 success, turning out in six matches in the Tournament and captaining the side against Japan.

Keven has been wearing the black jersey since 1995, when he turned out for New Zealand Under 16. Despite the long career his passion for rugby and the respect with which he is regarded by teammates and opponents remains undimmed.

Mealamu took on a new leadership role in 2006, captaining the Blues through a challenging Rebel Sport Super 14 campaign.

During 2005, the livewire hooker delivered several stand-out performances for the All Blacks, including a match-winning try against South Africa at Dunedin and the clincher against England at Twickenham in November.

Mealamu scored three tries in his first seven games for the Blues in the 2007 Rebel Sport Super 14 after scoring four in 70 previous matches.

In 2008 Mealamu again featured heavily in the All Blacks, playing in every test match, competing with Hurricanes hooker Andrew Hore over this time, and often coming off the bench as the ultimate impact forward.

That same year Mealamu captained the All Blacks against Scotland in their Grand Slam tour, becoming the first hooker since Sean Fitzpatrick to lead the national side in a test match.

In 2009 and 2010 Mealamu captained the Blues in Super Rugby and also achieving the notable milestone of 100 Super rugby caps.

The 2011 Investec Super Rugby season saw Mealamu feature in every Blues match (18 games) and cement his position as one of the world's leading rakes.

He played in every game for Auckland since his debut in 1999 until All Blacks selection intervened in 2003 and 2004.

Played as a flanker for New Zealand Under 16 and New Zealand Schools before switching to hooker in 1998.

His brother Luke played two Test matches as a flanker for Samoa in 2000.