Mumm will pack down against the All Blacks this weekend in Hong Kong © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Dean Mumm | Bill Mumm

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Grandad might have given him a clip around the ear, but Nana couldn't be happier that Dean Mumm is starting a test against the All Blacks -- Hong Kong's Bledisloe Cup rugby roadshow.

"She thinks it's pretty special, she sent me a voicemail the other day," the Auckland-born Wallabies blindside flanker said. "It was pretty impressive for a nana to be working out voicemail."

Joan Mumm, in her mid-80s and now residing in Christchurch, wouldn't speculate on what Bill would have thought -- and her grandson didn't ask. "I think it would be the same as any person's family, they'd be very proud," he said.

Mumm, equally at home on the blindside or in the second row, became the second member of his family to play test rugby when he played off the bench against Ireland in June -- following in the sprigmarks of his grandfather, a Buller representative from 1942-55.

A prop or loose forward, Bill Mumm played a solitary test against the 1949 Wallabies -- on the strength on his role in the West Coast-Buller composite side's 17-15 victory in Greymouth. It was the Wallabies only defeat on tour and after Trevor Allan's side won the first test 11-6 at Athletic Park, Mumm and eight teammates never wore the silver fern again.

Grandad died in 1993 and although Dean Mumm was only two when his parents crossed the Tasman, he still has a fondness for the South Island. "I've been back for weddings, that sort of stuff. I'm going back for a holiday after this (Wallabies end of year tour)," he said.

Bill Mumm also owed his selection to the top All Blacks team being on tour in South Africa when the Australian's visited, and Dean also has some personnel issues to thank for him earning his second cap -- and a coveted start at Hong Kong Stadium tomorrow night (9.30pm NZT).

A season-ending injury to lock James Horwill, Dan Vickerman's move to Europe and Hugh McMenamin not being in contention until the team arrives in Italy next week left Mumm as the only logical replacement for Rocky Elsom, the Wallabies enforcer on sabbatical in Leinster.

Mumm is one of five changes made by Robbie Deans from the line-up which lost 28-24 in Bledisloe III in Brisbane last month, not that Waratahs' utility forward was bothered by the circumstances.

"It's all very exciting, it's only the second test I've started and for me to play against a country I have a bond with is very special."

Mumm was among the new breed of Wallabies scouted early by the Deans regime and made his debut off the bench against Ireland in June before featuring in both tests against the French. McMenamin then held sway during the Tri-Nations though Mumm again made the bench against the Springboks in Durban and Johannesburg.

Victor Matfield gave him a torrid time at Ellis Park, though Mumm thought the experience would be beneficial as he prepares to take on a lineout role against Ali Williams and Brad Thorn. If starting locks Nathan Sharpe and Mark Chisholm are injured or subbed, Mumm moves in to the second row.

"South Africa's certainly helped my confidence," he said. "I believe I am right to play test rugby and I think over that time I've become much more entrenched in the team -- I've felt more comfortable with everyone else."

But with McMenamin soon to be available again, Mumm realised there was lot riding on a trans-Tasman test that is anything but a dead rubber. "I'm stoked about the opportunity to play six (blindside). You never got much of a chance when Rocky was here. This opportunity is a substantial one."