Ton-up for Mealamu
All Black hooker Keven Mealamu will join an elite group of players to reach 100 Test caps after being included in the starting line-up for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane.
The 33-year-old will become only the third New Zealand centurion behind captain Richie McCaw and former fullback Mils Muliaina, who reached the milestone during last year's World Cup.
"I want to congratulate Keven on reaching this very special milestone," All Black coach Steve Hansen said.
"'Kevvy' is a hugely respected man, not only in the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby but also in his wider community; he is a key leader in the team and one of the true gentlemen of New Zealand rugby.
"I know his family are extremely proud of him and so is his All Blacks family."
Hansen has made just one other change to the run-on side, handing Charlie Faumuina his first Test start in place of Owen Franks, who joins Andrew Hore on a tweaked bench that sees Victor Vito and Ben Smith replace Adam Thomson and Tamati Ellison.
The All Blacks, who beat the Springboks 32-16 in Soweto to complete a Rugby Championship clean sweep, will equal the record of successive wins for top tier rugby nations with victory over against arch-rivals Australia on Saturday.
"Playing Australia in Brisbane represents another great challenge for the team and one which we are looking forward to,” said Hansen.
"We have prepared well so far for the Test and, as always, the challenge for the team is not only the opposition, but also meeting our own expectations when it comes to the standard of our performance.
"Australia sees [Lang Park] as their fortress which only enhances the challenge from our point of view."
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith.
Date: Saturday, October 20
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 20.00 (10.00 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)
