Keven Mealamu back in No 2 jersey

ANDY JACKSON/Taranaki Daily News

HAPPY HOOKER: Keven Mealamu has taken advantage of Andrew Hore's injury to cement his position in the All Blacks No 2 jersey.

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Keven Mealamu and Andrew Hore: town and country, chalk and cheese, oil and water. Take your pick.

Apart from sharing the same position tucked between two props, the All Blacks' two hookers appear to be one of rugby's odd couples.

Although born in the small North Island town of Tokoroa, Mealamu is a city boy ensconced in Auckland, while the country-loving Hore hails from Central Otago, where he owns a massive farm near Ranfurly.

Off the field, Mealamu is respected as a quietly spoken family-oriented fellow, while those who know Hore reckon he is fine company over a few beers, has a talent for witty one-liners, and enjoys introducing team-mates to the rural lifestyle.

Both are 31 years old, although Hore is Mealamu's senior by six months, and both made their international debuts on the All Blacks' northern tour in 2002.

Now the two have been split up, a serious shoulder injury thwarting any hope Hore had of representing the All Blacks this winter.

Mealamu has been waiting for this opportunity. After spending the past two seasons as an impact player behind Hore, he finally gets the No2 starter's jersey back.

But he insists he has gained no pleasure from Hore's misfortune and keeps in regular contact with his old sparring partner.

"I talked to him last week and he is hopeful of making the end-of-year tour," Mealamu said.

"To be honest, I respect him as a player and a mate.

"I think when you are alongside a guy like that, it makes me a better player as well. He is obviously a tough character and it really helps me, as well, to develop."

Despite Hore being a regular starter since the 2007 World Cup, Mealamu has clocked up 73 test caps – 26 more than Hore – a total bolstered by regular appearances off the bench.

"We have played together for a long time," Mealamu said. "Right back from the New Zealand secondary schools, even back then we were in the same team, so we have a good relationship. The thing about it is there can only be one hooker on at one time and we both understand the jersey is important and I believe we put the success of the jersey first."

Tonight, when the All Blacks face Wales at Waikato Stadium, Mealamu and props Tony Woodcock and Neemia Tialata will form the most experienced front row to pack down for the New Zealanders.

Between them, they have amassed 177 caps, six more than Craig Dowd, Sean Fitzpatrick and Olo Brown.

Apart from the absent Hore, the pack selected by All Blacks coach Graham Henry to face Wales is the same lot that defeated the French 39-12 in Marseille last November.

As he looks ahead to the opening Tri-Nations test against the Springboks at Eden Park in a fortnight, Henry knows his forwards can expect a far more difficult examination than what has been offered by the Irish and Welsh this month.

For Mealamu, who came off the bench in the two defeats in Bloemfontein and Durban but did not play in Hamilton because of injury, the prospect of avenging the whitewash brings a wry smile to his face.

"There would be nothing better – especially playing them in Auckland," he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News