Mealamu says Irish friendly - so far

Keven Mealamu

Keven Mealamu has two wishes for this week - an All Blacks victory and a friendly reaction from the Lansdowne Rd crowd.

Being a realist, the dynamic All Blacks hooker reckons the former is far more likely.

Mealamu is bracing himself for some hostility on Sunday (NZT) as the controversy over speargate, starring Brian O'Driscoll, continues to bubble for one more week.

Read some of the recent media reports in Dublin and you'd think Mealamu and his captain Tana Umaga were best advised to don full body armour, complete with diplomatic protection squad.

Mealamu believed some of the hype and was on edge when the side flew into the Irish capital on Sunday. Then he let out a sigh of relief.

"Since I've been here everyone's been really nice, I even signed a few autographs. But I'm not sure what to expect [on Sunday] to be honest," Mealamu said.

"Everyone's been wishing us well which is great especially when you're a long way from home. It's been really good, I just hope it's like that on [Sunday]."

So, not a stray egg, rotten tomato or even some verbal abuse?

"Nothing negative at all, it's been great so far."

Talk to the affable, softly spoken Mealamu and it seems impossible he could commit any heinous rugby crime.

Mealamu and Umaga administered the much-publicised tackle which upended Ireland and Lions captain O'Driscoll in Christchurch in June, dislocated his shoulder, ruled him out of the rest of the Lions' tour and this weekend's match.

The vast majority of the backlash has been directed at Umaga, and those close to the team believe that was the major reason for the captain's indifferent performance against Wales, rather than lack of match fitness.

"Yeah, it did happen a long time ago and there's been a lot of water under the bridge since then," Mealamu said.

"It has been disappointing, more for Tana, he's had to carry a lot on his shoulders the last couple of months and it'd be nice for him if everyone was to move on. It's been hard for him.

"It was unfortunate what happened, and for me personally I hope he [O'Driscoll] gets well quickly. Before I even played All Blacks I looked up to him as a player."

Mealamu will have to cop any crowd hostility on Sunday, with Umaga being rested by coach Graham Henry. But Mealamu says anything will be minor in the grand scheme of a test match.

"Once the whistle goes you're fully focused on the game. When you play at this level you can't let outside things bother you, I'm just not sure what to expect."

The speargate issue and reaction at Lansdowne Rd was still a talking point with both coaches yesterday.

Henry said they would "take it on the chin and deal with it" but was irked at it being raised again.

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan, a staunch critic of Umaga and Mealamu after the incident, tried to put the issue to bed.

"No - that's five months ago and it's over and done with. I don't think there's any value in anybody booing anyone."

O'Sullivan named a side high in experience yesterday, captained by flanker Simon Easterby in a rejigged loose forward trio with rookies Denis Leamy and Johnny O'Connor.

Nine of the starting side toured New Zealand with the Lions, five of them in the pack including grizzled 73-test lock Malcolm O'Kelly.

Ireland, though, are without O'Driscoll and the similarly inspirational lock Paul O'Connell, and there are question marks about the strength of their front row.

Prop John Hayes hardly covered himself in glory in New Zealand while hooker Shane Byrne has been dogged by injury and has played little in recent weeks.

O'Sullivan said the lesson from Wales' 3-41 hammering from the All Blacks last Sunday was simple - Ireland mustn't be bullied in scrums and lineouts or a similar score was imminent.

Mealamu, meanwhile, was looking forward to leading the way for a pack including newcomers John Afoa and Jason Eaton, and trying to top the stellar Cardiff effort.

"When you're put under pressure it gives you a better opportunity to perform, and I think we're looking forward to doing that."

* Three All Blacks are in contention for the International Rugby Players' Association player of the year award.

The five nominees include first five-eighth Daniel Carter, captain Tana Umaga and openside flanker Richie McCaw.

The others in the running are South African wing Bryan Habana and lock Victor Matfield.

New Zealanders also dominate the newcomer of the year category, with Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister and Sitiveni Sivivatu nominated alongside Australian Drew Mitchell and Habana.

New Zealand and Wales have been shortlisted for the team of the year crown.

The awards ceremony will be held in Paris on November 22.

- NZPA