By WYNNE GRAY
Hooker
Age: 31
Height: 1.82m. Weight: 108kg
NPC team: Canterbury
Super 12: Crusaders
Super 12 games: 81
Test debut: 1999
Test caps: 24
The Super 12 over and the initial All Black squad chosen, Mark Hammett was left thinking about life after rugby in his sheetmetal business.
But that was in June and now four months later
he is heading for his second World Cup.
In that 1999 tournament, as he had been for much of his rugby through the national age-group sides, Hammett was rated behind Anton Oliver.
Oliver was three years younger but he had been involved with the All Blacks as far back as 1995. Hammett got his first call-up in 1999.
He had accrued 21 caps by the start of this year through numerous substitutions and a serious leg injury to Oliver. That repaired, it seemed Hammett's days were done when he missed the initial All Black cut.
But in more of the senior culling used by coach John Mitchell, Hammett got the go-card for the Tri-Nations and World Cup, Oliver the "Don't come in Monday" message.
Hammett's reputation as a team man - a bloke who always puts the group welfare before personal glory - and his prowess as a hooker have allowed him to be the senior statesman alongside the dynamic duo of Keven Mealamu and Corey Flynn.
The foundation Crusader may not get a game at the cup but that will not turn him into a resentful reserve.
He has been there, done that, he has seen what patience and perseverance can do and Hammett will enjoy every second of his time across the ditch.
He may also be persuaded to have another Super 12 season with the Crusaders, taking the chance to mentor Flynn and make up for the disappointment this season when he bagged two tries in the final but came away from Eden Park with a runners-up medal.
