How would Keven Mealamu go in politics?

All Black hooker Keven Mealamu. Photo / Greg Bowker.

The unashamed clamour by political parties to bask in the cosy glow reflecting off All Black captain Richie McCaw has left the Herald on Sunday's Andrew Alderson contemplating which current sportspeople might best join him in the House of Representatives. Being a mixed-member proportional democratic system, there is no more than one person from each sport.

Rugby

Keven Mealamu

If McCaw opts out of his civic duty, the veteran hooker might be keen now he has indicated he will retire post-World Cup? He could excel on select committees, particularly those of a disciplinary nature, if All Black mythology is true. It's understood anyone breaking team protocol in recent years has been marched to Mealamu's room where being admonished by a man of his standing ranked as the most shameful experience one could endure in the team environment.

Possible Cabinet post: Corrections or Internal Affairs

Canoeing

Lisa Carrington

Carrington is already a stoic healthcare advocate through advertising appearances for Southern Cross insurance and Beef & Lamb. You can be minding your own business at a bus stop hankering for a pint or a slice of pizza. Then you look up and see Lisa, like an Orwellian Big Sister, watching you with an expression that suggests you'd best chuff off for a run, or perhaps a paddle.

Possible Cabinet posts: Primary Industries or Energy and Resources

Cricket

Kane Williamson

Just think of the billboard slogans like "Kane is able" and "building an innings platform for you". No one channels sincerity like Williamson, a quality which sometimes masks dry humour. Remember when he was asked whether Twenty20 was his favourite cricket format: "It's in my top three," he deadpanned. Such instinctive diplomacy cannot be manufactured. A knowledge of all manner of climates and soils could also be an asset.

Possible Cabinet post: Foreign Affairs, Defence or Statistics

Rowing

Eric Murray

A proven campaigner, both in 57 consecutive international regatta men's pair wins, and in the 2014 general election where he was warned by the Electoral Commission for tweeting "Get out & vote NZ! Plenty of time left #decision14 Don't worry @johnkeypm you got my vote! #sportfunding" on the day. Murray's never lacked for ingenuity. He once dabbled in currency trading after discovering the old New Zealand 0.50c coin was the same shape and weight as a Swiss five franc (NZ$7.85), which worked a treat in vending machines.

Possible Cabinet post: Transport or Science and Innovation

Athletics

Val Adams

The shot putter would make a brilliant party whip for rounding up members and ensuring legislation got through with their votes. Just for a moment, imagine a would-be dissenter. No, I didn't think you could. Given her clean record in one of the most drug-affected sports, she'd also have a great handle on the standards required for food and drink on supermarket shelves.

Possible Cabinet post: Police or Food Safety

Weightlifting

Richie Patterson

Few politicians are capable of baring their soul like this candid lifter. He even lived in Santa Claus' home town of Rovaniemi and embraced the Finnish sauna culture in efforts to improve his performance. "Finns often have business meetings in the sauna because the bosses feel like everyone's on the same level with no trousers on," Patterson said last year before winning gold at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and carrying the flag at the closing ceremony. Also has entrepreneurial nous after setting up a crossfit gym in Albany after the London Olympics.

Possible Cabinet post: Health or Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Golf

Lydia Ko

In driving, chipping and putting her way across myriad golf courses each year, Ko is well on the way to knowing how to best market her brand and manage her business in the global village. After the toil of pioneers like Lynnette Brooky and Marnie McGuire, Ko has driven local interest in women's golf into uncharted territory and become a talisman for burgeoning multiculturalism in New Zealand sport.

Possible Cabinet post: Revenue, Land Information or Tourism

Equestrian

Jock Paget

Like any self-respecting cross-country course or show-jumping arena there are always obstacles on the election campaign trail. Paget also knows how to put his (or more specifically his horse's) best foot forward during dressage, where image is vital. Legal persistence minimised his absence from the sport after his horse tested positive for a banned drug. Paget shapes as the country's top equestrian prospect for the next generation. And what would most politicians give for a diverse CV which includes securing an Olympic team bronze medal, attending rodeo school and working as an apprentice bricklayer?

Possible Cabinet post: Justice or Racing