Meet The All Blacks
ANDREW MEHRTENS
Position: Outside half
Age: 29
Place of birth: Durban
Test debut: April 22, 1995 v Canada
Tests: 65
Points: 909 (7T, 176P, 158C, 10DG)
Height: 5′ 10′
Weight: 13st 2lb
Mehrtens is New Zealand’s highest scorer in Test history, and is only a penalty goal away from moving into third on the all-time list, ahead of Australian legend Michael Lynagh’s 911 points.
With 65 caps, the 29-year-old is also his country’s highest-capped back, and it seems only a matter of time before he crashes through the 1,000-point mark in Tests. Mehrtens kicked 28 points against Canada on his debut – a world record – and is the fastest player in rugby history to kick 100 Test points.
Not simply an accurate goal-kicker, Mehrtens is a superb tactical kicker, has a keen eye for a gap and express pace over the initial 10 metres. He has also starred for his Super 12 side, the Canterbury Crusaders, kicking them to three consecutive titles.
Mehrtens is currently vying with Auckland wizard Carlos Spencer and Canterbury team-mate Aaron Mauger for the No 10 jersey at next year’s World Cup.
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