By WYNNE GRAY
Does some mean violent streak sit murkily underneath that religious exterior of All Black hooker Keven Mealamu?
Has he got some sneaky moves he pulls that have been provoking violent outbursts from the test opposition this year?
England lock Simon Shaw clobbered Mealamu in the ear at Carisbrook, there was
a scuffle with the Pacific Islanders, and last week Wallaby hooker Brendan Cannon clocked Mealamu between the eyes with a short right.
The hooker's cauliflowered right ear has healed after 15 stitches from team doctor Graham Paterson, but the gash in his forehead is still raised after another five stitches.
"I dunno what it is," Mealamu said with wide, honest eyes.
"I must have a big head that is a big target. Wrong place at the wrong time, I suppose.
"Both times, though, it was the same sort of place - out in the open.
"Jeez, I dunno what it is. I did not expect it, to be honest, last week because me and Brendan get on quite well.
"I saw him after the game and he sort of apologised and the first question he asked was, 'How's the family?' I think it was probably a heat of the moment thing."
The pair did not chat as they headed for the sinbin at the CakeTin after referee Alain Rolland made his judgments.
Mealamu said he was too fired up to waste time talking.
He was more worried about the cost to his team.
"Once I came off I hoped I hadn't let the team down. It could have cost the Bledisloe Cup and I wasn't very happy I came off."
Why was he annoyed?
"Because I retaliated and the decision could have gone either way.
"But it has been happening week to week and I do not want to back down. I think I reacted the way anyone else would have in that situation."
Mealamu gets his fair share of small cuts to his head during matches but has been a regular visitor to the All Black suture unit this season.
"The ear was pretty ugly - still is pretty ugly - but it is back together. There were bits flapping all over the place after that one and they had to do it twice.
"It would be nice if someone does not have a go at me this week. I am not a big fan of fighting, but at the same time, I do not want to be punched in the head and expect to take it. So hopefully there won't be any of that this week.
"But I never back down."
Mealamu said he was not privy to the All Black team selection discussions, and while he thought Carl Hayman had been performing strongly, the switch to Greg Somerville was probably made to counter the way the Boks play.
"It is a good opportunity for Greg and I think Carl is unlucky, but it is a selection for this game.
"We may take a little time to bed down in this test, to get the timing right, but it is good we have had a few days before this test and scrum training has been a priority."
Mealamu said Springbok loosehead Os du Randt, the focus of much talk this week, was a big unit and clearly his hunger for running with the ball had returned.
A cracked collarbone meant Mealamu missed playing against du Randt in the Super 12. They have never played each other but the 25-year-old All Black hooker, like everyone, knows his reputation.
Mealamu, at 106kg and 1.81m, is the shortest and lightest frontrower on the park tomorrow.
But according to those who have opposed and taught him, he has a very tight technique, he is a sharp thrower to the lineout, and his pick-and-drive bursts round the fringes can upset less agile defenders.
The All Black pack, he said, had been improving and had overcome some tough challenges already.
"We are holding up really well and Graham Henry keeps telling us to pick it up each game.
"If we play as a unit, Steve Hansen is always reminding us of our potential and says when we hit our straps we will be a good team.
"But a lot of the forwards think we still have a fair way to go. Everyone is giving it plenty and we have to aim to get to those levels each week.
"It was a good effort last week in those conditions and hopefully we will get a better track this time.
"The scrum has picked up, we have been playing smarter at lineouts and hopefully it will be onwards and upwards."
Keven Mealamu
Born: March 20, 1979, Tokoroa
Position: Hooker
Age: 25
Height: 1.81m
Weight: 106kg
Education: Otahuhu College, Auckland
Auckland debut: 1999
All Blacks debut: v Wales, November 23, 2002
By WYNNE GRAY
Does some mean violent streak sit murkily underneath that religious exterior of All Black hooker Keven Mealamu?
Has he got some sneaky moves he pulls that have been provoking violent outbursts from the test opposition this year?
England lock Simon Shaw clobbered Mealamu in the ear at Carisbrook, there was
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