Mealamu misses out against Scots and Irish

NEW ZEALAND will enter the second match of their autumn Grand Slam quest with Scotland today without Keven Mealamu after the hooker’s appeal against his four-week ban was only partially successful.

Mealamu had a month-long ban for an apparent head-butt to England captain Lewis Moody reduced to two weeks, after an International Rugby Board (IRB) appeal committee adjudged the incident to be foul play, but not intentional.

Mealamu will therefore miss the Murrayfield match and next week’s meeting with Ireland, but will be permitted to return for the November 28 meeting with Wales in Cardiff.