Keven Mealamu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Keven Mealamu

Birth name	Keven Filipo Mealamu
Date of birth	(1979-03-20) 20 March 1979 (age 46)
Place of birth	Tokoroa, New Zealand
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Weight	111 kg (17 st 7 lb)
School	Aorere College
Spouse	Latai Mealamu
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker Super Rugby Years Team Apps (Points) 2000–15 Blues 164 (55) 2002 Chiefs 11 (5) National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2002–15 New Zealand 132 (60)

Keven Filipo Mealamu, born on March 20, 1979, is a famous former rugby player from New Zealand. He played as a hooker for the Blues team in Super Rugby, for Auckland in the National Provincial Championship, and for the New Zealand national team, also known as the All Blacks.

He helped the Blues win the 2003 Super 12 title. Keven was a very important player when the All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and again in 2015. This made him one of only 21 players to win the Rugby World Cup more than once. On October 20, 2012, Keven Mealamu played his 100th test match for the All Blacks, becoming only the third player to reach this amazing milestone.

Early Life and Rugby Start

Keven Mealamu's grandparents came from Samoa. He grew up in Tokoroa, where his dad worked at a timber mill. His family later moved to Auckland. Keven went to Aorere College.

When he was a schoolboy, he played as a flanker for New Zealand Under-16s. He also played for New Zealand Schools. In 1998, he changed his position to hooker. After finishing school, he worked as an apprentice signwriter. This was his backup plan in case his rugby career did not work out.

Keven Mealamu's Rugby Career

Keven Mealamu started his professional rugby career in 1999. He played for the Auckland team against North Harbour. In 2000, he joined the Blues. He also played for the Chiefs in 2002. That same year, he made his debut for the All Blacks.

In 2005, during a tour by the British and Irish Lions, Keven was involved in an incident where the opposing captain, Brian O’Driscoll, was injured. Keven also scored two tries against the Wallabies in 2006. This helped the All Blacks start their Tri Nations campaign very well.

Keven was the captain of the Blues team in 2006. However, he had to stop being captain in 2007 because of his duties with the All Blacks. In 2014, he played his 150th game for the Blues. He was the first player in Super Rugby history to play 150 games for one team.

Playing for New Zealand

Keven Mealamu played his first game for the All Blacks on November 23, 2002. This match was against Wales in Cardiff. In 2008, he was made test captain for a match against Scotland. This happened during the All Blacks' Grand Slam tour.

Keven was known for his strong tackles during games. His last match as an All Black was the 2015 Rugby World Cup final on October 31, 2015. He was one of six experienced players who retired from international rugby after this competition. In 2016, Keven Mealamu was given the Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit award for his great contributions to rugby.

Leading the Haka

Keven Mealamu became an important leader for the All Blacks. He led the haka 31 times. The haka is a traditional Māori dance. He led the Ka Mate version 23 times and the newer Kapa o Pango version 8 times. He first led the team in September 2007 against Italy. In his final international game, he led the Kapa o Pango haka before the 2015 Rugby World Cup final against Australia.

Life After Rugby

After retiring from rugby, Keven Mealamu became involved in local politics. In 2019, he was elected to the Papakura Local Board. In 2022, he ran for a position as a councillor for the Franklin ward, but he did not win.

Keven Mealamu is also a talented artist. He has illustrated several books to help raise money for the Starship Children's Hospital. In December 2024, he was appointed to the board of Creative New Zealand.

Keven Mealamu is a Catholic. He married his wife, Latai, in 2003. They have two children together.

See also

In Spanish: Keven Mealamu para niños