Rugby: Mealamu sure to remember Samoa test

All Black veteran Keven Mealamu has notoriously bad recall of his career. He can't remember specifics about any of the 123 tests he's played and even took a while to be convinced a couple of years ago that he had indeed played before at the Stade de France in Paris.

But this next test will be different. He'll remember this one. One of the hardest men in the world game, Mealamu will be choking up in Apia - Samoa being the birthplace of his parents and the country, for some time growing up, he wondered if he might represent.

"It will be a pretty special moment," he says. "There are a few of us with Samoan heritage and parents that were born and raised in Samoa. It will be a really proud moment for them to see their sons going over to Samoa with the All Blacks."

Mealamu's brother, Luke, played for Samoa and much of the wider clan are still based there. Having such a strong connection to both countries will leave the Mealamus, like many other All Black players' families, with contrasting emotions on the day.

Of the players likely to be in the match day 23, Jerome Kaino and Sonny Bill Williams have strong links to Samoa, while a host of Hurricanes and Highlanders players such as Julian Savea and Ma'a Nonu also have tight connections.

For Mealamu, part of the thrill will come from the fact that in his 14-year test career, he never thought he'd be heading to Apia. He hoped he would be, he desperately wanted to be, but he couldn't see that the day would come when a test would be agreed.

"I didn't ever think it was possible to foresee a test being played in Apia," he said. "It is an amazing opportunity. I think it will be quite an emotional time for my dad. He has followed the All Blacks for a long time and he's a pretty keen supporter. It's hard to explain what he will be feeling.

"They were a team that I followed pretty closely growing up and being of Samoan heritage there was a possibility [of playing for them]. But I always wanted to be an All Black."