Andrew Mehrtens
|
|
Andrew Mehrtens (born 28 April 1973 in Durban, South Africa) is a New Zealand rugby union player who has been one of the top fly-halves (or first five-eighths) in the world since the advent of the sport's professional era in the mid-1990s. Starting in the Northern Hemisphere fall of 2005, he will play in England for Harlequins, newly relegated from the Guinness Premiership to National Division One.
Mehrtens' New Zealand parents lived in South Africa for four years from 1970 and returned to New Zealand when he was a young child, and he grew up in Christchurch. After representing New Zealand at under-19 and under-21 levels, he received his first callup to the All Blacks in 1995. Mehrtens made an immediate impact, scoring 28 points against Canada in his Test debut; at that time, that was the highest point total ever by a player making his international debut.
Mehrtens is currently the all-time leading scorer for the All Blacks, with 967 points (all statistics as of 14 August 2004). He has scored 20 or more points in 13 separate Tests, has scored nine penalties in two separate Tests, and is the only player with more than 300 points in the Tri Nations Series. His 209 points against South Africa is the most ever by one player against one country; he also occupies second place on that list, with 202 against Australia. Mehrtens is also atop the all-time list for Test conversions, with 167. A drop in form, combined with injuries, saw him miss out on All Blacks selection in 2003, but a strong 2004 Super 12 campaign saw him called back to the All Blacks. He has not been included in the 2005 All Black squad.
He has also starred below international level. In Super 12, Mehrtens was a key member of the Crusaders side that won the competition four times in five years (1998-2000, 2002), and in 2005, another successful year for the Crusuaders, he also played well, making regular appearances off the bench and starting in a few games. During 2005 he became that competition's leading all-time scorer. He was also on three NPC-winning Canterbury sides, in 1997, 2001 and 2004.
Mehrtens is generally considered to be somewhat of a liability in defense; however, he has more than compensated for any deficiencies in that area by being a dangerous opportunist as a ballcarrier, having one of the best kicking games in world rugby, and possessing a highly developed tactical sense. He is especially known for quick passes to his fellow backs.
Andrew Mehrtens' father Terry Mehrtens played rugby for the Junior All Blacks, Canterbury and Natal and his grandfather George Mehrtens was an All Black.
External links
- NZ Rugby article on Mehrtens (http://www.nzrugby.com/history/hof2/atozprofile.asp?sTest=606)it:Andrew Mehrtens