All Blacks: Mealamu woes pave way for rising star

Aled de Malmanche's future looks more secure. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The rise continues for Aled de Malmanche.

The Waikato hooker's path to a more secure All Black role carried on yesterday with revelations that the nation's senior front rower, Keven Mealamu, would miss the rest of the international season.

Mealamu faces surgery tomorrow to repair a chest muscle he ruptured soon after coming on as a replacement in the All Blacks' loss to the Springboks in Durban.

After an MRI scan confirmed he had ruptured a major tendon on the left side of his chest, Mealamu was booked in for surgery which will eliminate him from rugby for the rest of the year.

Mealamu, a 71-test veteran, joins Ali Williams and Richard Kahui on the list of those who are not available for the All Blacks' remaining eight tests.

Others like Anthony Boric, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn and Scott Waldrom are still trying to get back into action while Daniel Carter has just resumed his comeback.

Those injuries have opened an avenue for de Malmanche to continue his rapid rise. The one-time prop surged through the Super rugby ranks into the Juniors then swiftly into the test squad when Andrew Hore was hurt in the first test against France.

He came on for a 4-minute replacement debut against Italy after an abortive attempt to get on the field when Mealamu was being patched up in the previous test against France.

The 24-year-old de Malmanche was taken to South Africa but was not needed for either test.

But on that selection evidence, he shapes as the deputy to Hore for the rest of the year, with Hika Elliot, and perhaps Flynn - who starts his club comeback this weekend - also pushing for a recall in the extended end-of-year tour squad.

Meanwhile All Black doctor Deb Robinson confirmed the extent of Mealamu's chest injury yesterday, his need for surgery and his four months' convalescence.

"It's incredibly disappointing for Keven but he is in a positive frame of mind and will undergo surgery on Friday," Robinson said.

Surgery was usually recommended for complete tears of the major chest tendon. Mealamu would be out of rugby for at least four months.

Meanwhile, several All Blacks will play in the next few rounds of provincial rugby after a change of thinking from the national selectors. Originally they felt it would be best to rest most of the touring squad but, after a rethink, some will now be available.

This round those available are Luke McAlister, de Malmanche, Brendon Leonard, Bryn Evans, Cory Jane, John Afoa and Tanerau Latimer.

The rest who will be ready, if needed, for round three are Kieran Read, Jason Eaton, Piri Weepu, Neemia Tialata and Rodney So'oialo.

The All Blacks will hold a training camp in Auckland next Wednesday before flying out for their second Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies in Sydney on August 22.