On-fire All Blacks hooker like fine wine

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OLD GAME: Keven Mealamu is not yet convinced an enterprising new-age England intend challenging New Zealand at their own game.

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Keven Mealamu is demanding the All Blacks keep their feet on the ground and with his nuggety frame that shouldn't be too difficult for the in-form hooker.

Mealamu was one of the stars of New Zealand's 49-28 thrashing of the Wallabies in Melbourne last night.

He made some big yards up the middle of the paddock with his low-trajectory running game and put in some big hits with another busy effort on defence.

The All Blacks know they are just a win away from retaining the Bledisloe Cup when they meet Australia in Christchurch next Saturday and judging by Mealamu's attitude they are determined to get the business done - with a dash of style that has characterised their impressive season.

"It's important for us to keep our feet on the ground. We have a good opportunity to put the Bledisloe in the cabinet. I think the real exciting thing is that we are at home. We'd love to win the Bledisloe there," Mealamu said.

The 31-year-old veteran of 77 tests is playing as well as he ever has. And he's needed to. With Andrew Hore injured from the Super 14, Mealamu has had to step up from his job-sharing role to take on some big responsibilities in the middle of the tight five.

He's got his lineout throwing and scrum work humming and he's on fire around the paddock.

"They say it's like wine ... you get getter with age," he laughed. "It's nice to be injury free and playing with a bunch of boys who are doing some good work has well. So I'm probably just riding the flow at the moment."

Forwards coach Steve Hansen believes the new rule interpretations are tailor-made for Mealamu.

"He is a great player and I guess he is benefitting from getting plenty of game time," Hansen said of Mealamu.

"The game is very aerobic and he is playing with a lot of confidence. Everyone is talking about how the new rules suit Kevvy because he is a good ball carrier. He's very mobile and very low and a good balanced player who has the ability to break the line so he's a handy guy to have."

Mealamu admitted the turbo-charged game the All Blacks were playing suited his abilities and desire.

"I enjoy an open game and it's really excited to be playing it. I think it's a good brand of footy. I know the boys are enjoying it and I definitely am.

While the team missed Hore's humour and abilities, Mealamu said he was happy to take on the extra responsibilities.

"For me it's been good getting out there and getting some time under my belt. I just have to make sure that I do a good job because that's what he has done over the past couple of years. It's about keeping the standard."

While so much focus has been placed on the All Blacks' desire to attack - and their successful employment of their free-flowing tactics - their defence has been equally important.

They negated the multi-dimensional threats of Wallabies halfback Will Genia and the more direct threats of the likes of  Rocky Elsom and the big Wallabies forwards.

"I think when you see good defence it's a good sign of a team's backbone. It's like the attacking side of the game - we are really enjoying our defence as well."

The All Blacks will need both sides of their game against a desperate Australian side in Christchurch where the Wallabies will be determined to front up in the back yard of their Kiwi coach Robbie Deans.

But right now the All Blacks have their number, stretching their winning sequence over the Wallabies to eight matches.

It's hard to see anything but another New Zealand win given the sort of form of Mealamu and those around him.

The hard work is being done up front and there is plenty of thrills out wide.

- © Fairfax NZ News