New Zealand Rugby
Mealamu a worry for All Blacks
ESPN Staff
May 20, 2012
All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu surges forward, Australia v New Zealand, Tri-Nations, Lang Park, Brisbane, Australia, August 27, 2011
Keven Mealamu has struggled since the World Cup © Getty Images
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All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is concerned over the limited game time hooker Keven Mealamu has seen this season after suffering a calf injury.

Mealamu helped New Zealand win the World Cup on home soil last year, but has since missed the majority of the Super Rugby season with the Blues. Indeed his club side have ceased issuing injury updates on Mealamu because of his prolonged recovery.

"Kevey's [Mealamu] a bit of a worry with that calf. We're waiting to see how he comes through today [Sunday] from a medical point of view," said Hansen. "He's had some scans so there may be some issues arising there."

Hansen took his first session since taking over from Graham Henry on Sunday as he watched over a prospective squad, which will be reduced prior to New Zealand's three-Test series against Ireland.

"I'm really looking forward to it, June 9 (the first Test against Ireland) can't come quick enough," Hansen said. "We've had a reasonably long pre-season and we can't afford too many more injuries either.

"We're here to get clarity on expectations of what it is going to be like with a new beginning because quite clearly it is. It is a new coaching group, there's going to be some new players. We've won the World Cup which is great but we need to put a full stop on that and reset the goals.

"We have to do that pretty smartly because there is an expectation, and rightly so, by everyone in the country that we win Test matches. That's what made the All Blacks great over the years and will continue to make them great."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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