New Zealand Rugby Union re-signs All Blacks and Blues Hooker Keven Mealamu – Rugby news
During the last year or so and particularly in the past month the trend is that the players are switching their clubs for money.
While many believe the suppositions, others do it for their professional development and some do it for a change. Even though, many are still present in the game who just does not want a change. Keven Mealamu is one amongst such as he has extended his contract
with the New Zealand Rugby Union until 2013 end of the season.
New Zealand Rugby Union would welcome the move from a senior All Black member like Keven Mealamu particularly after losing some key players for the next season to European Clubs.
32-year-old Keven Mealamu has been involved with the New Zealand Rugby for 12 years now. Keven Mealamu joined Auckland Blues in 2003 and the extension in contract will give him a decade of services for Blues. Blues and All Blacks Hooker made his debut for
New Zealand in 2002 against the Wales in Cardiff.
Earlier Mealamu has acknowledged the support and contribution of the Auckland and New Zealand rugby union over the years.
Commenting on his extension he said, “Loyalty is something I believe in; and I have always hoped I could repay the support I have been given, by showing my continued loyalty to New Zealand.”
Mealamu over the years have been involved in number of social activities and the extension would allow him to continue his work off the field. Mealamu has been actively involved with the Blues and Auckland Rugby’s charities (KidzFirst Children’s Hospital
and New Zealand Men’s Health Trust), the All Blacks charities (KidsCan and Plunket), the New Zealand Rugby Foundation and with the Starship Children’s Hospital.
Mealamu has played approximately 100 appearances for Auckland Blues already and has played in 83 tests for New Zealand. Mealamu is fourth in the list for most appearances for All Blacks in test. Riche McCaw and Mils Muliaina and Sean Fitzpatrick are above
him.
Mealamu’s extension in the contract definitely has eased the nerves for New Zealand Rugby Union who are having problems to retain their players.
In addition to Keven Mealamu, New Zealand rugby have already signed most of their 2010 players. The list include (Backs) Jimmy Cowan, Conrad Smith, Israel Dagg and Aaron Cruden, (Hooker) Hikawera Elliot, (Loose forwards) Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read, Daniel
Braid, Liam Messam and Victor Vito (Props) Tony Woodcock and Ben Franks, (Locks) Anthony Boric, Tom Donnelly and Sam Whitelock.
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