All Blacks hooker Mealamu to retire after World Cup
WELLINGTON (New Zealand) — Hooker Keven Mealamu has announced he will retire after this year's Rugby World Cup, joining a number of senior All Blacks who will make the tournament their international swansong.
New Zealand All Blacks' Keven Mealamu wears a ceremonial cap signifying his 100th test match for New Zealand after their Bledisloe Cup rugby union test match against the Australian Wallabies in Brisbane, on October 20, 2012. Photo: Reuters
WELLINGTON (New Zealand) — Hooker Keven Mealamu has announced he will retire after this year's Rugby World Cup, joining a number of senior All Blacks who will make the tournament their international swansong.
The 36-year-old Mealamu has played 126 tests for New Zealand since his debut is 2002 — a record for an All Blacks hooker — and a franchise-record 135 Super Rugby matches for the Auckland-based Blues.
Mealamu announced his retirement at a news conference today (Aug 25), saying he will take up a role as a rugby ambassador for the New Zealand Rugby Union.
He said “I have loved my time as a rugby player here in New Zealand and loved being part of all the teams I have represented, particularly the All Blacks.” AP
Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.
Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.
By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.
