Mealamu and Oliver to fight for hooker's jersey

Keven Mealamu in action against South Africa on Saturday. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Anton Oliver's re-signing with New Zealand rugby and Keven Mealamu's compelling performance in the defeat of the Springboks on Saturday suggest there will be a dogfight for the All Blacks World Cup hooker jersey.

Mealamu was at his all-purpose best throughout the 31-27 win over South Africa, capping his performance with the match-winning try four minutes from the end.

Later named man of the match, Mealamu's performance was lauded by All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen, not usually prone to glowing praise of individuals.

"You probably don't always get up to the top of the peak in your performances as a player and tonight he probably did, he did some great things," Hansen said.

Mealamu has been among the All Blacks' consistent best this year, starting all three Lions tests and the three Tri-Nations outings, where his throwing has been a key part of an improved lineout. He is also part of a front row yet to be bested at scrum time.

Yet his place in the team owes much to the ongoing calf injury to former captain Oliver, who was an influential figure on last year's season-ending tour.

Oliver's strength and leadership at all levels last year suggested he would make the position his own but he has failed to play beyond the midway point of this year's Super 12.

He yesterday announced he had re-signed with Otago and the New Zealand Rugby Union for a further two years, until after the 2007 World Cup.

Oliver, 29, is three years older than Mealamu but his 43 tests are being quickly hauled in, with the Auckland rake having notched up 29.

Lock Ali Williams called the throw to himself to set up the decisive lineout drive from which Mealamu scored. He had nothing but admiration for his provincial teammate.

"The guy plays 80 minutes week in-week out better than anyone else," Williams said.

"He's an amazing player, amazing energy and some of the things he does you wish you could do yourself."

Mealamu typically downplayed his performance on Saturday, including the description of his try, his fourth in tests.

"We were so close, we were on a roll and I just kept it going," he said.

"It was a good forwards' try. It was good that we didn't splinter early, we waited, it was good to show a bit of patience.

"A couple of years ago we would have splintered but we've been doing a bit of work on it and we showed a bit of patience."

Mealamu said that cool-headed attitude was a constant throughout the team. Nobody lost their nerve when the Springboks still led 27-24 as the clock ticked away.

"It's just good to show we've got a bit more composure now and we've got a bit more experience for when those times in a game pop up," he said.

"Everyone's a bit older now, a bit wiser. We've learned from the past."

NZPA