All Blacks: Mixed feelings for Mealamu

Kevin Mealamu will look to bury some bad memories against the English tomorrow morning at Twickenham. Photo / Getty Images

Keven Mealamu appreciates the waiting game Hika Elliot will be desperate to end at Twickenham tomorrow - the long-serving All Blacks hooker also associates the spiritual home of English rugby with feelings of frustration.

Eight years ago the England test of a three-match European tour heralded the start of seven All Blacks careers -- but not Mealamu's.

Named on the bench by John Mitchell after Taranaki's Andrew Hore started on debut, the softly-spoken Aucklander was not required before England revelled in a 31-28 victory.

Steve Devine, Danny Lee, Keith Lowen, Brad Mika, Keith Robinson and Ali Williams were also capped for the first time during that rare defeat to the Englishh, although ultimately Hore and Williams were the only starters to enjoy longevity at international level.

Mealamu eventually joined the duo as an enduring All Black and, now 31, has vivid recollections of his first experience of test football, memories both good and bad.

"It was mixed emotions really," he said ahead of tomorrow's (3.30am NZT) Grand Slam opening test.

"It was my first test but I didn't get to get on.

"I remember Jonah doing a big run down the sideline, I honestly felt I was a kid in the crowd.

"I was jumping up and down on the sideline and had to remember I could have been on at any moment. I tried to sit down and calm down a bit."

Unfortunately Mitchell never made one last positional switch despite the All Blacks lineout faltering in the dying stages as Martin Johnson and Danny Grewcock preyed on an inexperienced formation.

Mealamu endured the same forlorn wait in Paris the following weekend when Hore again lasted the distance during a 20-20 stalemate.

Finally, at Cardiff, he remained on Millennium Stadium after the haka, sharing his first test with fellow-front row stalwart Tony Woodcock, So'oialo, Daniel Braid -- Richie McCaw's current back-up -- plus long forgotten backs Regan King and Paul Steinmetz.

On this tour it is Elliot who has had to bide his time -- an interminable wait which started during the successful 2008 Grand Slam campaign.

The Hawke's Bay rake was summoned after Hore was injured in Hong Kong though Corey Flynn was the second-choice No 2 until he broke his arm playing Munster.

Elliot backed up Mealamu in Cardiff and London but was not required -- the same scenario that eventuated in Hong Kong last weekend.

Mealamu felt for his understudy, especially as Hore is likely to be fit for Scotland next weekend.

Any game time against the English constituted, after all, a true test for a tight forward.

"There's something about playing England, the physical side is always talked about," Mealamu said.

"As a forward, those are the challenges you really look forward to. You know they're going to come at you at scrum time and the rucks are going to be tough."

Surviving the physical inquisition, and winning the contest, was also particularly satisfying.

Mealamu was measured, but there was little doubt England is the British scalp the All Blacks value the most.

"You see a few comments in the paper .... them having a crack at the haka and saying the rugby we play down there isn't test match football.

"I suppose you see it as arrogance and a bit of disrespect as well."

So losing to the English is one of an All Blacks' least palatable experiences?

"If you get that taste in your mouth, you don't want to have it again," said Mealamu, who had to stomach a second helping at Wellington in 2003 when that year's World Cup winners prevailed 15-13.

Mealamu replaced Hore when the English pack had been reduced to six after Neil Back and Lawrence Dallaglio were sinbinned and to this day is haunted by the All Blacks' inability to execute a pushover try.

"Thanks for bringing that up," he said.

"I'm trying to get rid of those memories."

- NZPA