Rugby: Mealamu deal ignites hope for key retentions

Keven Mealamu. Photo / Supplied

The Blues and the New Zealand Rugby Union are today expected to announce the re-signing of All Black hooker Keven Mealamu on a multi-year deal.

The 32-year-old has played 83 tests for the All Blacks and has more than 120 Super rugby matches under his belt but has shown few signs of wear and tear.

If anything, his form last year, where he regained the mantle of the country's best hooker, was among the best of his career.

Mealamu has fielded several offers from overseas, but it appears the lure of home and the black jersey was too good to resist.

It is hoped today's announcement will precipitate a rash of high-profile players re-committing to New Zealand.

While it is likely that Brad Thorn, Cory Jane and Mils Muliaina will join the likes of John Afoa overseas from the end of the year, confidence is growing that the NZRU can retain two of its marquee players.

Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw have offers in front of them and, despite the inevitable stories of million-dollar offers from France, rugby bosses are increasingly confident that at least one, and possibly both, will be convinced their long-term future will look better in black.

The Reds rate the wobbly Waratahs a far more menacing outfit under Phil Waugh and expect the NSW captain to lead a cavalry of recovered stars into battle on Saturday night.

Queensland are braced for a typical interstate grudge match at Suncorp Stadium with the likely returns of centre Tom Carter and No8 Wycliff Palu from hamstring strains.

The Super 15 pace-setters are also on guard for a surprise comeback by Waratahs playmaker Berrick Barnes (concussion), which would see Kurtley Beale revert from five-eighths to fullback.

"We'll make the assumption all those key players are playing," Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said yesterday.

The Reds may be on top of the table but have lost their past seven matches against their arch-rivals, and skipper James Horwill admitted they were still smarting from their "embarrassing" 30-6 round two thumping.

Waugh received a biceps injury in that match, initially expected to rule him out for most of the season, while playmaker Barnes also suffered a casualty, keeping him on the sidelines.additional reporting: AAP