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KEVEN MEALAMU
163 NOT OUT Keven Mealamu will make Super Rugby history today as he becomes the most capped player in the competition. The evergreen 35-year-old, who was rested for the first three games of this season, is set to make his 163rd Super Rugby appearance to surpass the total number of games he currently shares with retired former Reds, Force and Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe. It is a remarkable tribute to the resilience, desire and neversay-die spirit of Mealamu that the Tokoroa-born number two assumes the mantle as Super Rugby’s leading appearance maker. The Millennium celebrations were less than two months old, Black Magic skipper Russell Coutts was on the verge of making history as the first nonAmerican crew to successfully defend the America’s Cup, and Helen Clark was only into the third month of her nine-year reign as New Zealand Prime Minister when Mealamu made his Super Rugby debut for the Blues. It would be a close fought 18-15 defeat from the Brumbies at Bruce Stadium on February 25, 2000. Mealamu struggled to hold down a regular starting spot during his first two seasons at the Blues and in 2002 was picked up in the draft by rival New Zealand club the Chiefs. CONTINUED NEXT PAGE
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He made 11 appearances for his new Super Rugby outfit and later that year earned the first of his 123 All Black caps in a 43-17 defeat of Wales in Cardiff – the game in which another Blues stalwart prop Tony Woodcock made his debut. In 2003 a reinvigorated Mealamu returned to the Blues and helped the club to their third Super Rugby championship with a tense 21-17 victory over the Crusaders at Eden Park– his lone Super Rugby title. The 1.81m tall hooker later went on to skipper the Blues and remain an inspirational presence both on and off the field during some lean times for the club. Respected for his accurate lineout work, powerful tackling, try scoring ability and explosive work in the loose, Mealamu became the first Blues player to clock up a century of Super Rugby appearances – achieving the feat against the Brumbies at his beloved Eden Park in 2010. In 2011 he earned the ultimate international success by playing a key role during the All Blacks triumphant World Cup campaign and also surpassed Sean Fitzpatrick as New Zealand’s most capped hooker. Last year Mealamu was recognised when he played his 150th game for the Blues against the Crusaders in Christchurch. While Mealamu is set to add another remarkable feat to his illustrious playing career, he is also revered for his strong family beliefs and magnificent work in the community. A gifted artist, Mealamu has illustrated numerous books for the Starship Children’s Hospital where he is a Barfoot & Thompson Ambassador, and regular visitor seen reading to young patients. He and wife Tai, with support from family, have recently opened Fit60 a circuit gym with the aim of promoting an active and healthy lifestyle in the South Auckland community. Praised for his meticulous preparation and whole-hearted commitment to fitness, Mealamu has notched 10 tries for the Blues. He has indicated that this will be his final season in Super Rugby. ALL IMAGES ©PHOTOSPORT B LU E S
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NICK WHITE Nick White was just like any other kiwi kid. He grew up in the small Northland town of Maungakaramea, lived on a dairy farm and would join the local boys for some Saturday morning rugby. But unlike many of his peers, Nick had the skill as prop to make a career in the sport. For decades now, Nick has been committed to the game. He’s gone from school-level rugby to semi-professional, on to
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full-time and finally to a career in coaching. His first semi-professional gig was in 1999 at the age of 21 with Northland in the Air New Zealand Cup (now ITM Cup). As is the case for most rugby players, a nickname was formed early on. But it’s not easy to see how Nick White became “Skindog.” “It was because I was carrying too much weight,” he says with a chuckle. “David Holwell from Northland saw this and gave me the nickname Skinny.” A small evolution later
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SCRUM COACH
and Skindog was the name that stuck. Nick transferred to Auckland when the Blues call up came through. From 1999 to 2009, Nick played for the Blues, Crusaders, Highlanders and back to the Blues again, each transferral giving him another insight into the professional game. “It was a bit of a refreshing experience, seeing how different clubs do things,” he said. “I
“It’s a battle whenever you’re in a scrum, you have to get yourself ready to go to war.” NICK WHITE
saw the Crusaders, how they structure their on-field play and saw how the team was run on and off the field.” When he returned to the Blues, the 34 year old was beginning to wear down and a hip replacement in the pre-season of 2009 forced Nick to retire. But he was not dismissed from the team. Nick stayed on in the role of assistant coach and has now worked his way to
scrum coach. “I’m wanting to create an environment where a player can grow and learn and become a better player,” said Nick. “I’m wanting to up-skill the players so that they can self-coach and become more self-reliant.” And the same goes for himself. “As a coach, I’m still learning and trying to improve myself.” Humble words for a player with just shy of 30 years
experience in the game. Humility is something that helps define Nick. He doesn’t like big crowds; he enjoys being on the land with the cattle and, in his own words, is “quite happy cruising along.” But don’t be fooled by the relaxed, self-deprecating personality. He’s bringing a fierce warrior attitude to his coaching. “It’s a battle whenever you’re in a scrum,” he said, reminiscing on his playing days. “You have to get yourself ready to go to war.”
PROFILE:
JEROME KAINO One of the Blues all time greats Jerome Kaino has become part of an elite group of players when he made his 100th Super Rugby appearance for the club against the Cheetahs last Saturday morning (NZT). The milestone was marked by the team in Bloemfontein and a formal presentation will be made to the inspirational
Born in American Samoa before he and his family relocated to live in Auckland when he was aged four, Kaino made his Blues’ debut against the Queensland Reds, coming on as a 70th minute replacement for Brent Thompson in a 20-3 defeat. The game also featured current Blues stalwarts, Mealamu and Woodcock.
versus Ireland. In 2007 the tough-tackling Kaino was the only New Zealand forward to play every minute of the Blues Super Rugby campaign, scoring two tries and helping the team to fourth in the ladder before suffering a 34-18 semifinal defeat to the Sharks. The powerful Kaino was also the cornerstone of the Blues
BLUES GREAT CELEBRATES
100 GAMES loose forward and 2011 World Cup winner after tonight’s clash against the Lions. Kaino, who has played for the Blues for more than a decade, is only the fifth Blues player to reach the figure of 100 games for the club behind Keven Mealamu (151), Tony Woodcock (127), Ali Williams (102) and John Afoa (101).
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Later that year he was rewarded internationally as he was crowned IRB Under-21 Player of the Year. The tenacious and dynamic flanker and number eight took time to find his feet at Super Rugby level but slowly started to make an impact and earned further rewards in 2006 when he made his All Blacks debut
team that finished fourth during the 2011 season, including a 26-13 defeat of the Waratahs in the qualification final before succumbing to the Reds in the semifinal. He then played a starring role in the All Blacks successful World Cup winning team, playing every minute of their glorious campaign and was awarded the
prestigious New Zealand Player of the Year award. Kaino left the Blues at the end of 2012 to take up a position with Japanese side Toyota Verblitz before returning to his former home in 2014. Sir John Kirwan rewarded the number six for his inspirational qualities by making him Blues skipper for the present season. Humble and modest, the 31-yearold Kaino is now the owner of more than 50 All Blacks caps and is lauded for his muscular and energetic presence in the Blues pack. Throughout much of his Blues and All Black time has been teammate Keven Mealamu. “Everyone knows that his major attribute is his physical presence on the field,” Mealamu said. “I was pleased to hear of his decision to come back to New Zealand and the whole team was stoked. To see how he has been able to return from Japan and maintain that high level of performance has been amazing.”
ALL IMAGES ©PHOTOSPORT
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BLUES BRIGADE PACKAGE The Blues have long enjoyed a strong performance record at home in Auckland, but it’s been challenging in recent times to compete outside of our own fortress. Our players thrive off loyal support and encouragement from fans everywhere they go. To help bring Blues support to their away games, you can now purchase a Blues Brigade package. It’s a Blues supporter’s travel package offered by The
©PHOTOSPORT
Experience Group that will bring Blues supporters closer to their team. The package includes benefits such as staying at the team hotel and joining them for an exclusive Blues supporter’s function. There are two away games on offer – the first against 2014 Super Rugby champions the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium in Sydney from 27-29 March. The second is going in to Crusaders territory in
Christchurch from 24-26 April. Each package includes return economy airfares with Air New Zealand, as well as airport transfers, hotel accommodation and, most importantly, a reserved match ticket. For pricing and to find out more information, go to Experience Group’s website – www.experiencegroup.co.nz. We’d love to have you on board. Because at the Blues – there’s strength in numbers
©PHOTOSPORT
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2015 BLUES PLAYER STATS
JOSH BEKHUIS
LUKE BRAID
JIMMY COWAN
LOCK 2.00M | 115KG | 28YR
LOOSE FORWARD 1.85M | 101KG | 26YR
HALFBACK 1.82M | 95KG | 32YR
CHARLIE FAUMUINA
JAMISON GIBSON-PARK
FRANK HALAI
TIGHTHEAD PROP 1.85M | 128KG | 28YR
HALFBACK 1.77M | 84KG | 22YR
OUTSIDE BACK 1.95M | 105KG | 27YR
SIMON HICKEY
JEROME KAINO
STEVEN LUATUA
1ST FIVE-EIGHT 1.74M | 83KG | 21YR
NUMBER EIGHT 1.96M | 110KG | 31YR
LOOSE FORWARD 1.96M | 115KG | 23YR
KEVEN MEALAMU
MELANI NANAI
HAMISH NORTHCOTT
HOOKER 1.81M | 108KG | 35YR
OUTSIDE BACK 1.94M | 90KG | 21YR
2ND FIVE EIGHT 1.83M | 93KG | 22YR
BRENDON O’CONNOR
JAMES PARSONS
CHARLES PIUTAU
LOOSE FORWARD 1.86M | 100KG | 25YR
HOOKER 1.85M | 110KG | 28YR
RIGHT WING 1.86M | 95KG | 23YR
SAM PRATTLEY
FRANCIS SAILI
ANGUS TA’AVAO
LOOSEHEAD PROP 1.96M | 116KG | 25YR
INSIDE CENTRE 1.80M | 97KG | 23YR
TIGHTHEAD PROP 1.94M | 125KG | 24YR
HAYDEN TRIGGS
PATRICK TUIPULOTU
OFA TU’UNGAFASI
LOCK 2.01M | 114KG | 32YR
LOCK 1.98M | 120KG | 22YR
PROP 1.95M | 120KG | 22YR
LOLAGI VISINIA
IHAIA WEST
FULLBACK 1.92M | 103KG | 22YR
1ST FIVE-EIGHT 1.75M | 84KG | 23YR
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BLUES V
7.35 PM SATURDAY 7 MARCH 2 REFEREE: Matt O’Brien
ASSISTANT REFEREES: Be
BLUES STARTING LINE-UP 15 Lolagi Visinia 14 Frank Halai 13 Charles Piutau 12 Francis Saili 11 Melani Nanai 10 Ihaia West 9 Jimmy Cowan 8 Jerome Kaino (C) 7 Luke Braid 6 Steven Luatua 5 Patrick Tuipulotu 4 Josh Bekhuis 3 Charlie Faumuina 2 Keven Mealamu 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
COACH Sir John Kirwan ASSISTANT COACHES Grant Doorey Glenn Moore Nick White David Hill MANAGER Richard Fry RESERVES 16 James Parsons 17 Sam Prattley 18 Angus Ta’avao 19 Hayden Triggs 20 Brendon O’Connor 21 Jamison Gibson-Park 22 Simon Hickey 23 Hamish Northcott
VS
LIONS
2015 – QBE STADIUM ALBANY n O’Keeffe & Brendon Pickerill
TMO: Glen Newman
LIONS STARTING LINE-UP 15 Andries Coetzee 14 Ruan Combrinck 13 Lionel Mapoe 12 Harold Vorster 11 Sampie Mastriet 10 Elton Jantjies 9 Ross Cronje 8 Warren Whiteley (C)
COACH Johan Ackermann ASSISTANT COACH Swys de Bruin MANAGER Mustapha Boomgaard
7 Warwick Tecklenburg 6 Jaco Kriel 5 Martin Muller 4 Franco Mostert 3 Julian Redelinghuys 2 Robbie Coetzee 1 Corne Fourie
RESERVES 16 Armand van der Merwe 17 Jacques van Rooyen 18 Ruan Dreyer 19 Robert Kruger 20 Derick Minnie 21 Faf de Klerk 22 Jaco van der Walt 23 Howard Mnisi
2015 LIONS PLAYER STATS
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ROBBIE COETZEE
RUAN COMBRINCK
UITLITY BACK 1.83M | 90KG | 25YR
HOOKER 1.87M | 108KG | 25YR
FULLBACK 1.83M | 99KG | 24YR
ROSS CRONJE
FAF DE KLERK
RUAN DREYER
HALFBACK 1.81M | 85KG | 25YR
HALFBACK 1.70M | 80KG | 23YR
PROP 1.84M | 113KG | 24YR
CORNE FOURIE
ELTON JANTJIES
JACO KRIEL
PROP 1.87M | 118KG | 26YR
FLYHALF 1.76M | 81KG | 24YR
FLANKER 1.84M | 100KG | 25YR
ROBERT KRUGER
LIONEL MAPOE
SAMPIE MASTRIET
FLANKER 1.92M | 105KG | 26YR
UTILITY BACK 1.83M | 97KG | 26YR
WING 1.97M | 92KG | 24YR
DERICK MINNIE
HOWARD MNISI
FRANCO MOSTERT
FLANKER 1.86M | 108KG | 28YR
CENTRE 1.86M | 98KG | 25YR
LOCK 1.98M | 112KG | 24YR
MARTIN MULLER
JULIAN REDELINGHUYS
WARWICK TECKLENBURG
LOCK 1.98M | 112KG | 26YR
PROP 1.76M | 114KG | 25YR
FLANKER 1.89M | 107KG | 28YR
ARMAND VAN DER MERWE
JACO VAN DER WALT
JACQUES VAN ROOYEN
HOOKER 1.79M | 109KG | 23YR
FLYHALF 1.82M | 87KG | 21YR
PROP 1.86M | 122KG | 28YR
HAROLD VORSTER
WARREN WHITELEY (C)
CENTRE 1.88M | 101KG | 21YR
NUMBER 8 1.93M | 105KG | 27YR
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WESTIE PIES BLUES
SECONDARY SCHOOLS INVITATIONAL 10s Today marked the inaugural Westie Pies Blues Secondary Schools Invitational 10s tournament (Westie Pies Blues 10s), an opportunity for young players to experience a fast-paced and physical new competition. 16 high schools from the Auckland and Northland region were invited to compete in the tournament, which started at 1pm this afternoon on the fields behind the stadium. The four semi-finalists moved into the main stadium and the finalists were curtain raisers for tonight’s Blues v Lions match-up.
The high schools were selected from the Auckland/ Northland region to compete in the exciting new competition. 10s combines the fluid, highspeed of the Sevens with the physicality of the full 15-a-side and the teams have, you guessed it, 10 minutes each half to come out on top. The tournament was established, with the help of Westie Pies, as a way to honour the Blues’ success with the competition. It started when we came home victorious from the inaugural World Club 10s Championship in Singapore
last year, beating out seven professional clubs from around the world including the Brumbies, London Welsh and Cardiff Blues. Blues Commercial Manager, Grant McKenzie, said the Westie Pies Blues 10s was a celebration for the team and the region. “We wanted to establish something unique in our region and the idea of a Blues secondary schools tournament was borne out of that idea,� he said. “Westie Pies’ involvement was integral to the success of this showcase tournament and we are very grateful for their support.�
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CULUM RETALLICK LOCK | 1.98M | 116KG | 30YR | SHIRLEY BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL This Christchurch boy moved up to the North Island eight years ago when he signed with the Bay of Plenty provincial team. It was his first professional contract with the sport and eventually led to a Super Rugby contract with the Blues at the end of 2012. This is Culum’s second season with the Blues after sitting out 2014 due to an ACL tear. He’s the father of three and cousins with 2014’s Rugby Player of the Year. Culum Retallick is here to answer this week’s Q&A. Tell us something not many people know about you I’m the best surfer on the team. What has been your career highlight to date? Captaining the Bay of Plenty team last year was a pretty good honour, it was my first opportunity to play professional footy so I was pretty stoked to captain them. What’s your earliest rugby memory? Playing footy with the bro in the backyard and going to watch Dad play for Belfast Rugby Club in Christchurch. What’s your personal goal for the season? To get myself as fit as I can be and get out and play some good rugby, to not get injured.
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Who’s your biggest role model and why? I always looked up to Norm Maxwell, he was a battler and I used to like the way he’d chuck himself around the field. Describe yourself in three words Fun, loving, caring. What’s your favourite place in Auckland? Maori Bay, it’s good to take the kids out there. Do you have any match day superstitions? No, but I’ll always have a sleep in.
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2015 STANDINGS NZ CONFERENCE
P
W
D
L
BYE
F
A
DIF
BP
PTS
HURRICANES
3
3
0
0
CHIEFS
3
3
0
0
0
81
34
47
1
13
0
82
51
31
1
13
HIGHLANDERS
2
1
0
CRUSADERS
3
1
0
1
1
40
39
1
1
5
2
0
52
80
-28
0
4
BLUES
3
0
0
3
0
58
75
-17
2
2
AUS CONFERENCE
P
W
BRUMBIES
3
2
D
L
BYE
F
A
DIF
BP
PTS
0
1
0
84
37
47
2
10
REBELS
3
1
0
2
0
63
68
-5
2
6
FORCE
3
WARATAHS
2
1
0
2
0
44
73
-29
1
5
1
0
1
1
51
53
-2
1
5
REDS
3
1
0
2
0
34
73
-39
1
5
SA CONFERENCE
P
W
D
L
BYE
F
A
DIF
BP
PTS
STORMERS
3
3
0
0
0
78
52
26
0
12
CHEETAHS
2
2
0
0
1
60
53
7
1
9
SHARKS
3
1
0
2
0
93
90
3
2
6
BULLS
3
1
0
2
0
73
81
-8
2
6
LIONS
3
0
0
3
0
39
73
-34
1
1
OVERALL
PTS
HURRICANES
13
CHIEFS
13
STORMERS
12
BRUMBIES
10
CHEETAHS
9
SHARKS
6
REBELS
6
BULLS
6
HIGHLANDERS
5
FORCE
5
WARATAHS
5
REDS
5
CRUSADERS
4
BLUES
2
LIONS
1
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2015 FIXTURES ROUND
MATCH
RESULT
ROUND 4 MATCHES
1 BLUES VS CHIEFS
L
18–23
CHIEFS VS HIGHLANDERS
2 STORMERS VS BLUES
L
27–16
BRUMBIES VS FORCE
3 CHEETAHS VS BLUES
L
25–24
BLUES VS LIONS
Sat 14 Feb / QBE Stadium / 7:35PM Sun 22 Feb / Newlands Stadium / 4:05AM Sat 28 Feb / Free State Stadium / 6:10AM
06 Mar / Hamilton / 7:35PM 06 Mar / Canberra / 9:40PM 07 Mar / QBE Stadium / 7:35PM
4 BLUES VS LIONS
–
REDS VS WARATAHS
5 HURRICANES VS BLUES
–
CHEETAHS VS BULLS
7 WARATAHS VS BLUES
–
STORMERS VS SHARKS
8 CHIEFS VS BLUES
–
9 BLUES VS BRUMBIES
–
10 HIGHLANDERS VS BLUES
–
11 CRUSADERS VS BLUES
–
12 BLUES VS FORCE
–
13 REBELS VS BLUES
–
14 BLUES VS BULLS
–
15 BLUES VS HURRICANES
–
17 BLUES VS CRUSADERS
–
18 BLUES VS HIGHLANDERS
–
Sat 7 Mar / QBE Stadium / 7:35PM 7:35PM Fri 13 Mar / TBC / 7:35PM
Sat 28 Mar / Allianz Stadium / 9:40PM Sat 4 Apr / Waikato Stadium / 7:35PM Fri 10 Apr / Eden Park / 7:35PM Sat 18 Apr / Forsyth Barr Stadium / 7:35PM Sat 25 Apr / AMI Stadium / 7:35PM Sat 2 May / Eden Park / 5:30PM Fri 8 May / AAMI Park / 9:40PM Fri 15 May / Eden Park / 7:35PM Sat 23 May / Eden Park / 7:35PM
Sat 6 Jun / Eden Park / 7:35PM Fri 12 Jun / Eden Park / 7:35PM
©PHOTOSPORT
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07 Mar / Brisbane / 9:40PM 08 Mar / Bloemfontein / 4:05AM 08 Mar / Cape Town / 6:10AM
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