All Blacks: Mealamu ready for contact

Keven Mealamu is poised to play against Wales on Sunday. Photo / Getty Images

The first suspension of his eight-year All Black career continues to play on the mind of Keven Mealamu, though the veteran hooker has vowed not to temper his aggressive style when returning for the rugby Grand Slam climax against Wales.

Mealamu, banned for two weeks after recklessly striking England captain Lewis Moody during the 26-16 victory at Twickenham on November 7 (NZT), is poised to place the lowest point of his 83-test career behind him at Millennium Stadium on Sunday (NZT) when New Zealand seek their third sweep of the UK and Ireland under head coach Graham Henry.

Originally outed for a month when an International Rugby Board judiciary found Mealamu guilty of intentionally head butting Moody, the New Zealand Rugby Union successfully appealed to have the charge - and punishment - downgraded.

That was the first relief for the 31-year-old - and team management, who were fiercely protective of Mealamu's reputation as a disciplined player.

Mealamu was involved in the Brian O'Driscoll "spear tackle" drama in 2005, though then captain Tana Umaga bore the brunt of the criticism after the pair avoided censure despite the British and Irish Lions skipper being invalided out of the tour moments into the first test at Christchurch.

After the collision with Moody at a breakdown, Mealamu stood alone in the dock and today admitted it was the toughest period of his career.

"I think there's nothing worse than being suspended," he said.

"I'm lucky I've had really good support from the team and from home as well. That's been really important."

Aggrieved to be charged with an intentional act of foul play, Mealamu said he gratified the appeal process partially restored his reputation.

"When we walked out of that (appeal) I was really stoked it was nothing to do with the head," he said, outlining the judicial process for the first time.

Mealamu said while some camera angles appeared damning, footage produced by his defence team indicated his point of contract with Moody was a shoulder.

"It was just a little bit reckless and I understand that can happen to any player, especially in the clean out.

"You see so many players going down and getting injured in that area as well."

The breakdown will naturally be another physically demanding exercise against a Welsh team desperate to atone for losses to the Wallabies, Springboks and a draw with Fiji earlier this month.

And although Mealamu is still blighted by his spilt-second collision with Moody he will not shirk his responsibilities.

"I think it'll be on the back mind but it doesn't mean I won't do my job.

"If there's people lying around the ball or trying to kill the ball I have to remove them from the ruck," he said.

"I think in the back of my mind I'll be thinking I have to be careful but I still have to do a job which does include having to be physical and having to move people."

Meanwhile, his enforced rest had at least one upside - after an arduous season he is primed for the All Blacks 14th and final international of the year, one that has carries huge significance.

Beating Wales will add this team to their predecessors in 1978, 2005 and 2008 as Grand Slam winners - it is also potentially the 50th test caps for Brad Thorn and Andrew Hore; Daniel Carter just needs a successful penalty to overtake England's Jonny Wilkinson as the test rugby's most prolific points scorer.

There is also a desire to extend the All Blacks unbeaten record on northern hemisphere tours to 24 tests since the 20-20 draw with France in 2002.

"It's important we finish well and get the result this group has worked hard for," said Mealamu, who debuted when that winning sequence began in Cardiff, a week after the Paris stalemate.

The All Blacks settled into the Welsh capital yesterday and adhered to their normal routine of undertaking a low-key recovery session today before returning to training tomorrow.

- NZPA