The All Blacks are set to lose a cornerstone of their Test pack, with 42-Test veteran prop Kees Meeuws to take up a European contract at the end of the year, officials said Saturday.
Media reports have linked Meeuws to a French club, but there has been no confirmation.
”It is highly likely that Kees will leave New Zealand at the end of the year,” said David White, the chief executive of Meeuws’ Auckland provincial side.
”We’ve tried incredibly hard — along with New Zealand — over the last few months to keep him in the country … He will be a big loss to Auckland, Blues and All Black rugby. I can’t say more than that right now.”
Meeuws, who has started in seven of eight Tests since Graham Henry took over as All Blacks’ coach this year, has not confirmed his departure but Henry said he understood the loosehead prop was leaving the country for lifestyle reasons.
”We’re disappointed, it’s a pity. You don’t like to lose players of that quality. Even though he is getting on, we thought he had a few more years in him,” Henry said.
The 30-year-old prop’s departure comes hard on the heels of news that 11-Test lock Simon Maling is expected to sign with a Japanese outfit.
The decimation of the All Black forwards also comes as Henry strives to shore up a pack that has been criticised for failing to consistently contain South Africa and Australia in the recent tri-nations series where New Zealand finished last.
Henry’s reign began with one of his prime targets, loose forward Troy Flavell, opting for a million-dollar move to Japan, and World Cup lock Brad Thorn — who did not make Henry’s initial squad — is to return to rival code rugby league.
The departure of Meeuws and Maling adds further pressure to Henry’s selection headache with injuries continuing to sideline key forwards Richie McCaw and Keith Robinson.
Two other Henry favourites — Bruce Reihana and Andrew Blowers — remain in Europe and out of contention under New Zealand’s policy of not selecting overseas-based players. – Sapa-AFP