Scotland v New Zealand, Murrayfield, November 13
Henry hopeful on Mealamu appeal
ESPNscrum Staff
November 11, 2010
New Zealand hooker Keven Mealamu, New Zealand v South Africa, Tri-Nations, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand, July 17, 2010
Keven Mealamu has appealed against his four-week ban © Getty Images
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All Blacks coach Graham Henry is hopeful that hooker Keven Mealamu will start against Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday after lodging an appeal against his four-week ban for head-butting England skipper Lewis Moody.

Mealamu has been bracketed alongside the uncapped Hikawera Elliot for the Murrayfield fixture pending an appeal hearing in Edinburgh on Friday, having been censured in the wake of the All Blacks' 26-16 victory over England at Twickenham last weekend.

"We were always intending to play him and we hope we can," Henry said. "He's a very important part of our team. He's a top man, he's got very high personal standards - he sees himself as a role model for young people.

"He's a bit destroyed about what's happened. Once the appeal is over, hopefully we'll get a positive result and move on."

Henry admitted that it would be tough for Mealamu to slot back into action after a hectic week but insisted that his experience would win out should he be reprieved.

"I think it's a tough ask, of course it is, but he's a very experienced international footballer and has been around international rugby for a long time," he said. "He has the strength of mind to be able to handle those things."

Moody, meanwhile, has rubbished internet reports that he riled Mealamu with comments about the Auckland hooker's family. "Absolutely nothing. I certainly didn't say anything," Moody insisted.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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