Blues skipper Keven Mealamu is putting his hand up for the All Blacks' opening test of the year despite the amount of rugby he has already played.
Mealamu is one of three hookers named in New Zealand's Investec Tri Nations squad, along with Crusader Corey Flynn and Hurricane Andrew Hore.
Before the tournament, the All Blacks will be have a one-off test against Fiji in Dunedin next week, with proceeds to go to the Canterbury earthquake appeal.
Mealamu, 32, played in all of the Blues' 18 matches in the expanded Investec Super rugby competition, one of only two forwards to achieve the feat for the franchise.
The other was prop John Afoa, who has also been included in the 30-man squad named in Auckland yesterday.
At the squad announcement, coach Graham Henry said it was important to look at players individually to give them the programme that would get the best of out of them.
Some, like beaten finalists the Crusaders, had played too much football, some hadn't played a lot, and others were coming back from injury.
However, Mealamu indicated that he was happy not to have a breather, but instead to front up against the Fijians on July 22 for what would be his 84th cap.
With the Blues getting to the semifinals, he had enjoyed the Super rugby season, and he said his body felt good and he was "ready to go".
"I’m just excited to be back in camp again," he said.
"It's such a huge year this year and we all want to be part of it. I would love to keep on playing and doing what I really love doing, but in the end I just have to see what the bosses say."
Mealamu cited being mentally fresh as the key to his durability.
If the head was right, he said, the body would be too.
"It's just about managing my rugby well and keeping a good balance in life -- that's really important," he said.
"When you're always in the pressure cooker, it’s important when you go home you relax, have time with your family and just enjoy life outside rugby."
Meanwhile, Mealamu was delighted to see Blues teammate Ali Williams back in the test fold after the lock spent the best part of two years out with two achilles injuries.
Williams, who played the last of his 61 tests in late 2008, returned to Super rugby this year after missing the whole of last season.
Mealamu had first-hand knowledge of what his fellow Aucklander had to go through to make it to where he was now.
"I’ve been really lucky to see how much hard work he’s put into getting himself back into this team," he said.
"It hasn’t been an easy road. It’s been good to see every morning, always out there early putting in the extra yards. I’m really happy for him."
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