New Zealand plan to appeal Keven Mealamu's four-week ban
New Zealand will appeal against flanker Keven Mealamu's four-week ban after being accused of headbutting England’s Lewis Moody.
As things stand, the 31-year-old will miss the rest of the All Blacks’ northern hemisphere tour after being slapped with the punishment by the International Rugby Board.
Replays suggest that Mealamu intentionally struck the back of Moody’s head with his own during England’s 26-16 defeat last Saturday, but New Zealand assistant coach Steve Hansen remains adamant the Blues player is innocent.
"He is not a dirty player, he never has been. This is a case we'll go to the death on," he said. "Everyone knows it's not in his nature to do that and everyone knows if Kevvy says he didn't do it, he didn't do it."
Mealamu avoided an eight-week suspension because of his "exemplary disciplinary record" in 82 Tests with the All Blacks, and revealed his disappointment at the ban.
"I'm gutted to be honest, really disappointed," the flanker commented. "I don't feel the outcome shows what sort of person I am.
"I've played more than 100 Super games and 82 Tests and never had any foul play against me.
"I do take it personally. I'm not that sort of person."
New Zealand head coach Graham Henry backed up Mealamu’s comments and also chipped in to defend his player.
"It surprises me, Henry said. “He's probably the cleanest player in the world, isn't he? It was purely accidental as far as I know."
Despite the general consensus suggesting such an attack would have been out of character, it seems the All Blacks and Mealamu are unlikely to have the ban overturned.
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