All Blacks: Mealamu happy to help his apprentice

Keven Mealamu has adapted to a mentoring role. Photo / Getty Images

Experienced hooker maintains his professional attitude as he awaits chance.

Keven Mealamu has watched his apprentice overtake him. Dane Coles is now the frontline hooker for the All Blacks and his performances while starting every test match of this year have shown that his development has progressed nicely.

Mealamu, who made his test debut in 2002, has gone from being New Zealand's premier rake, to job-sharing with Andrew Hore to now nurturing the next tier of players.

There's a noted lack of options behind Coles but Mealamu's reserve role is something he has embraced this year.

"You want to try and keep your preparation the same because you never know if you could potentially go on in the first or second minute," Mealamu said as he eyed this Saturday's Rugby Championship encounter with South Africa in Wellington.

"So you have to prepare as a true professional and that's making sure that your preparation never changes and [Coles] has done a really good job this year.

"He's grown into a very good player and the competition is still there, working hard to keep each other on our toes."

Typically humble, Mealamu, a veteran of 116 test appearances, played down his role in the ascension of Coles.

"I haven't done much," the 35-year-old said. "I've been there to answer questions and stuff but I think he's really taken the reins and really taken ownership of where he is at the moment."

Mealamu's part in the lineout will be tested on Saturday - likely after entering the game from the bench - given the injuries to second-rower Sam Whitelock (ribs) and loose forward Liam Messam (quad), who are key targets for the All Blacks at the set piece. It means Wellington's Jeremy Thrush will likely start at lock on Saturday, while blindside flanker Steven Luatua may be called upon. Young lock Patrick Tuipulotu could also be involved via the bench.

"We've got a couple of young men along with Thrushy that will jump in and do a really good job to cover Sam but I think it's a real strength of ours being able to have that depth and having guys step in and do a good job," Mealamu said.

The Springboks also boast an impressive one-two punch in the hooking department with Adriaan Strauss and Bismarck du Plessis.

"They have a lot of presence on the field, both with ball in hand and without the ball," Mealamu said.

South African skipper Jean de Villiers will make his 100th test appearance at Westpac Stadium on Saturday and Mealamu had some simple words of wisdom for his fellow centurion, which included blocking out the distractions.

"Nothing should change. It's another test match and you can pretty much go about business as usual."