Rugby: Finish line in sight for a formidable rugby warrior

Keven Mealamu has played more than 160 Super Rugby matches to go with his 123 tests for the All Blacks. Photo / Greg Bowker

The ageing warrior is nearing what will almost certainly be his final campaign, but for Keven Mealamu nothing changes in his approach to the new season apart from perhaps his need to stay active over the off-season - a concession to those increasingly troublesome legs of his.

The veteran hooker is approaching the new Blues season with excitement - no surprise there, it would be a worry if he wasn't - but there's an extra glint in his eyes as he considers what will be his 15th season of Super Rugby.

Mealamu, who will turn 36 next month, has played more than 160 Super Rugby matches to go with his 123 tests for the All Blacks. It's hard to imagine either team without his polite presence off the field and deadly intensity on it; the man with a ready smile who also happens to be the main disciplinarian at the All Blacks.

He begins our conversation by saying he is approaching the year, which will also be his final stint with the All Blacks, the same as any other, but concedes later that the end of his playing career is fast approaching.

"It's no different to any other year," he says. "I still love playing here; I have a passion for playing in this city. Nothing changes. I'll make sure I do my job as best I can and make sure the younger players get the benefit of the things I've learned over so many years.

"There's a good chance that this will be my final year. It's funny because over the last couple of years I've had a chance to get myself in good nick. I feel good, but I'm also looking to my next stage of life when I can put more time into my family.

"We love what we do [as players], but one of the downsides is that you miss out on the little things like birthdays, Easter, all the weddings. It's a blessing what I get to do every day, but there will be a big upside being able to spend more time with the family."

He had a good taste of it before Christmas when he and his extended family travelled to Fiji for a holiday following the All Blacks' successful end-of-year tour. It allowed him to freshen up mentally and physically and that will continue over the next few weeks.

Mealamu will start his Blues season in round four after the Blues' trip to South Africa. It is a break designed to improve his conditioning and to keep him as fresh as possible for the World Cup later in the year. His calf muscles have let him down in the past few years but he believes the work he put in over his break should stand him in good stead.

"You tend to look after yourself a lot better," he says of one of the lessons he has learned.

"I remember in my younger days I used to think a break was just that - a break - don't get out on the road or don't lift. Over the last few years I've continued to do stuff over Christmas and New Year so that you arrive in much better shape. You feel like it's more of a top-up than a catch-up."

He is turning his attention to life after rugby and has a few irons in the fire. A talented illustrator, he has another children's book coming out this year and is also opening a gym in Takanini.

Midfielder Ma'a Nonu has gone, and so has No 8 Peter Saili, but Mealamu's expectations are as high as ever. His only title victory came in 2003 when the Blues beat the Crusaders at Eden Park and he would dearly love another.

"Even though we haven't had success for so long there's still expectations from the players' point of view that we want to do really well.

"We have a lot of supporters right behind our franchise. It's been a long time since we've won a championship and as you get older you realise how much it means to win a title.

"Some people go through their whole careers without winning one so it would be awesome in what could be my last year to take one home."

Keven Mealamu

• Debuted for the Blues in 2000 but missed selection in 2002. Instead, he joined the Chiefs where he played every match. He played his first test later that year against Wales in Cardiff.

• 162 Super rugby games consist of 151 for Blues and 11 for Chiefs.

• Started three of his 123 tests as captain - against Scotland in 2008 and South Africa and Japan in 2011.