Keven Mealamu to enter new role as NZ Rugby Ambassador

All Blacks hooker and Test centurion Keven Mealamu has announced he is hanging up his boots at the end of the 2015 season – but the good news for rugby fans and New Zealand Rugby is that he won’t be lost to the national game.

“It is a great privilege to sit with one of our great players”, New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said during a media conference at NZR headquarters. “It’s the way he’s presented himself every time he’s fronted on and off the field for whatever team he’s played in”.

Mealamu also said he was excited by the opportunity.

Mealamu’s best playing days are behind him, but his character continues to grow and he was the flawless fit for a new role as an NZ Rugby Ambassador.

“Amazing journey could have never dreamed possible, not only enjoy but really love my rugby in NZ”, says Mealamu.

There will be no high-paid overseas contract to boost Mealamu’s bank account and he has no ego to fuel.

The 36-year-old Mealamu, known simply as “Kevvy” in rugby-mad New Zealand, broke Colin Meads’ domestic record of 361 first-class games previous year and was the third All Blacks player to attain 100 test caps.

Mealamu is expected to be named in the All Blacks squad for this year’s Rugby World Cup when it is announced on Sunday.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to support the game which I love and which has given me so much, and in my Rugby Ambassador role I look forward to giving back to the game, to the Auckland region, the wider community, and to New Zealand Rugby”.

“My kids are at the age now where they are quite settled in school”.

“It’ll give me a chance to do a lot of the dad things that I have missed out on since I have been a professional rugby player”. “I live up there, so I’m only just a phone call away”.