Mealamu set to join '100 club'

 Oct 08,2012

Written by: SARugby.com Editor

All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu will join an exclusive group when New Zealand face Australia in the third Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane on 20 October.

 He will become only the third player - after current captain Richie McCaw and former full-back Mils Muliana - who will represent his country in 100 Tests, something which the 33-year-old finds difficult to believe.

 "It's a real privilege," Mealamu told Fairfax Media when talking about playing for the All Blacks.

 "It's hard to put into words," Mealamu said.

"You never think of playing 100 games for the All Blacks. It's always about trying to be here.

 "When I finish my career I'll be able to look back on it.

 "It's a very elite group to be apart of. There's not many that have been able to achieve that. I've played with Richie and Mils for a long time; it's very special to join them."

 The Blues captain made his debut for New Zealand in 2002 against Wales at the Millennium stadium in Cardiff and said not much has changed since that day.

"I still get those butterflies when I run out onto the field," he revealed.

 "The only difference is I know what to expect. When you go into Test rugby you're sort of lost in the hype a little bit.

 "Now I know how difficult it's going to be out there. It's good to be able to draw upon those experiences."

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