He and fellow selectors Ian Foster and Grant Fox had not named a third hooker in their squad because they thought Mealamu and Andrew Hore would get through three June tests against Ireland. They also knew enough about the talents of Corey Flynn, Hika Elliot and Dane Coles.
The national selectors definitely have to pick another squad member after Cory Jane joined Richard Kahui as the second senior wing in the casualty ward. Jane is out for six weeks with a damaged ankle while Kahui is hoping his exit with a shoulder problem will last only that long.
Crusaders wing Zac Guildford has replaced Kahui while the selectors were musing who was the best fit to replace Jane.
Highlanders wing Hosea Gear had the experience but was a left wing like Julian Savea and Guildford and someone with Andre Taylor's versatility might be more helpful.
"It's a good debate and we'll come up with someone," Hansen said.
He was also keen to get started on rebuilding the confidence of players like Ali Williams, Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu who had been embroiled with the under-performing Blues.
"You don't go from being a world class player to being a mug just because you have lost your confidence," Hansen said. "You have still got those skillsets and mindsets that make you a top test player and we just have to bring that out and in the environment, I think we will do that."
Hansen said the lead-in to the test programme which starts against Ireland at Eden Park on June 9, had seemed drawn-out and he and his staff were keen to get into action.
They will put their squad through a variety of sessions in Auckland this week and Wellington next week before the group is trimmed to 30 on June 3.
New faces like Tawera Kerr-Barlow were nervous about their first call-up but also hugely excited about getting closer to their All Blacks dreams.
"It's kind of like starting school for the first time, except there are more cameras," he told the assembled media.
"I don't know what to expect other than it will all go up a notch. I will be a sponge and soak it all up."
Hansen said it was important to outline the shared leadership model for the All Blacks with the coaches setting the guidelines for the players to drive on the field.
This was a new era, with different coaches and players. The World Cup triumph would not be forgotten but the squad needed to reset targets for this season.
"The expectation is that we will win test matches and that rightly is the public expectation," Hansen said.
His aims for the two camps were to have the players leave with clear ideas. It would also act as a selection process and a chance for young players to get a sense of the All Blacks' methods because they did not get that opportunity any more in midweek matches.
It was a way of introducing young players like Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Kerr-Barlow, Sam Cane, Luke Whitelock, Brad Shields, Brodie Retallick and Ben Tameifuna to the set-up.
There would be subtle changes against Ireland who would be a quality side with experience and youth.
"We have to come into camp on June 3 as an All Blacks team with an understanding of what it is we want to achieve. If we sit back in December and look back on the year; what is it that we have had to do to earn this beer and the right to put a smile on our faces."
