By Nick Bewley
It's starting to become the curious case of Keven Mealamu.
Many rugby pundits picked the 127-Test veteran not only to start for the All Blacks in their Rugby World Cup mismatch against Namibia, but captain the side for what would've been the last time in his long-spanning career.
Instead, with a view to the future, the All Blacks selectors have entrusted Sam Cane with the leadership duties and picked fellow livewire Codie Taylor as the starting hooker over Mealamu.
The 36-year-old, ever the team man, won't mind that his playing role in the All Blacks is becoming lesser and lesser as he nears retirement from professional rugby, but it makes you wonder how many more tests he'll play.
Compared to fellow mainstays of the All Blacks machine over the last decade such as Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, who will also play their final All Blacks Tests in the next month, Mealamu is no longer the incumbent. Dane Coles is undoubtedly the country's top hooker, maybe even the best in the world.
It reminds me of the conundrum Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith found themselves in four years ago at the 2011 World Cup.
Here was Mils Muliaina, long regarded as the best fullback in the country, approaching 100 Test matches. Injury ultimately ended his tournament, but there's no doubt in my mind some fella named Israel Dagg overtook Muliaina as the man to wear the 15 jumper.
Mealamu is on the bench tomorrow, as was the case in the All Blacks pool opener against Argentina.
His calves aren't getting any better. What do the All Blacks selectors do once we get closer to the nitty-gritty end of the tournament? How much do they value Mealamu's experience?
Time will tell, but I'm hedging my bets that Taylor's among the eight All Blacks reserves come quarterfinals time in Cardiff.
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