| Andrew Mehrtens | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Andrew Philip Mehrtens | ||
| Date of birth | April 28, 1973 | ||
| Place of birth | Durban, South Africa | ||
| Height | 1. Events 1192 - Assassination of Conrad of Montferrat (Conrad I King of Jerusalem, in Tyre, two days after his title Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Durban (eThekwini is the third most populous city in South Africa, forming part of the EThekwini metropolitan municipality. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa 78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Weight | 89 kg (14 st 0 lb) | ||
| School | Christchurch Boys' High School | ||
| Notable relative(s) | Terry Mehrtens, George Mehrtens | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | First Five-Eighth | ||
| All Black No. | 944 | ||
| Amateur clubs | |||
| ??–2004 | High School Old Boys RFC | ||
| Professional clubs | Caps | (points) | |
| 2005– |  Harlequins |
32 | (318) |
| Provincial/State sides | |||
| 1993–2004 |  Canterbury |
108 | (1056) |
| Super Rugby | |||
| 1996–2005 | Crusaders |
87 | (981) |
| National team(s) | |||
| 1995–2004 | New Zealand |
70 | (967) |
Andrew Philip Mehrtens MNZM (born 28 April 1973 in Durban, South Africa) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who has been one of the top first five-eighths in the world since the advent of the sport's professional era in the mid-1990s. Christchurch Boys' High School (known as CBHS) is a single sex state (public secondary school in Christchurch, New Zealand. Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 The All Blacks are New Zealand's national team in Rugby union, the country's National sport. High School Old Boys is a Rugby Union Football club based in Christchurch, New Zealand. A cap is an appearance for a select team such as a school county or international team in sports The Harlequin Football Club (The Harlequins or Quins for short is an English Rugby union team who play in the top level of English rugby The Canterbury Rugby Football Union' (CRFU is the official governing body for Rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region of New The Super 14 is the largest Rugby union football club championship in the Southern hemisphere, consisting of four state teams from Australia (Queensland/Reds For the speedway team see Canterbury Crusaders (speedway. The Crusaders (formerly the The following is a list of international Rugby union teams The All Blacks are New Zealand's national team in Rugby union, the country's National sport. The New Zealand Order of Merit is an Order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour Events 1192 - Assassination of Conrad of Montferrat (Conrad I King of Jerusalem, in Tyre, two days after his title Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Durban (eThekwini is the third most populous city in South Africa, forming part of the EThekwini metropolitan municipality. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 The 1990s collectively refers to the years between and including 1990 and 1999 He played first for Canterbury in 1993, before being selected for the All Blacks (New Zealand's national team) in 1995 when he played in the 1995 World Cup. The Canterbury Rugby Football Union' (CRFU is the official governing body for Rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region of New The All Blacks are New Zealand's national team in Rugby union, the country's National sport. The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted by South Africa, and had the distinction of being the first Rugby World Cup in which every match With the advent of professionalism he joined the Canterbury Crusaders in 1996 for the new Super 14 competition. For the speedway team see Canterbury Crusaders (speedway. The Crusaders (formerly the The Super 14 is the largest Rugby union football club championship in the Southern hemisphere, consisting of four state teams from Australia (Queensland/Reds He continued to play for Canterbury, the Crusaders, and the All Blacks until moving to England in 2005. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland He joined Harlequins in England, where in his first season he played a major factor in leading the freshly relegated club to an immediate return to the top-level Guinness Premiership. The Harlequin Football Club (The Harlequins or Quins for short is an English Rugby union team who play in the top level of English rugby National Division One is a club Rugby union competition in England. In many Sports leagues around the world (with North American and Australian professional leagues being the most notable exceptions promotion and relegation The English Premiership (known as the Guinness Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Guinness) is a professional league competition for Rugby
Contents |
Youth
Mehrtens' parents lived in South Africa for four years from 1970 and returned to New Zealand when he was still a young child. Mehrtens grew up in Christchurch, attended Christchurch Boys' High School, and played Junior Grade Rugby for Kaiapoi. Christchurch (Ōtautahi The largest City in the South Island, it is also the second largest city and third largest urban area of New Zealand Christchurch Boys' High School (known as CBHS) is a single sex state (public secondary school in Christchurch, New Zealand. He also represented New Zealand at under-19 and under-21 levels.
Like many players in New Zealand, Mehrtens comes from a family with a long involvement in rugby. His grandfather, George, played for Canterbury in the 1920s as a fullback and was an All Black in unofficial internationals against New South Wales in 1928. The New South Wales Waratahs (referred to as HSBC Waratahs for sponsorship reasons the Waratahs or simply the ' Tahs) are an Australian His father, Terry, also a first five, represented Canterbury between 1964 and 1976. He was a New Zealand under-23 player in 1965 against the Springboks and again in 1967, and while in South Africa played as a fullback for Natal against the 1970 All Blacks. A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 The Natal Sharks are a South African Rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup Tournament.
Career
New Zealand rugby has had few players who has won such wide popularity and affection as Andrew Mehrtens, who in a 12-year career at first class level became a national figure rather than simply an icon of his Canterbury province. However, there was never total agreement on his ranking in the pecking order of All Black first five eighths. Some headed by Colin Meads believed that Mehrtens was the best in his position ever produced by New Zealand. Colin Earl Meads, DCNZM, MBE (born 3 June 1936 in Cambridge New Zealand) nicknamed "Pinetree" is a former New Zealand Rugby union Others believed that despite his immense skills, vision, kicking and ability to throw long cut out passes to his outsides he had limitations, especially in the way rugby developed in the professional era. He was seen as lacking the physique or inclination to mix it physically, either taking the ball up or committing himself to the tackle.
Outside the playing field, Mehrtens proved to be a favourite with fans and a large section of the media because of his pleasant manner, his intelligence, and his wit and sense of humour.
Despite his family background Mehrtens only emerged as a rare prospect in his late teens, perhaps because he was a slower developer physically. In his teens Mehrtens showed almost as much promise in tennis, where in various age groups he was nationally ranked.
His first significant rugby selection was in 1992 when he played in the national under 19s against Australia in a side which also included later Crusaders or the All Black teammates Adrian Cashmore, Norman Berryman, Milton Going, Tabai Matson, Justin Marshall and Taine Randell. Adrian Richard Cashmore (born 23 July, 1973) in Tokoroa. He is a New Zealand rugby player who played two tests for the All Blacks Norman Rangi Berryman (born 15 April 1973 in Wellington) is a New Zealand Rugby Justin Warren Marshall, MNZM (born 5 August 1973) is a New Zealand Rugby union footballer Taine Randell is a former New Zealand rugby union player He was a highly versatile Loose forward and a former All Black Captain
He was first chosen for Canterbury in 1993–94 and in each of those seasons he was in the New Zealand Colts, making his first major impact nationally in the Canterbury side which in 1994 took the Ranfurly Shield (the Shield) from Waikato. The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is perhaps the most prestigious trophy in New Zealand 's domestic Rugby union competition The Waikato Rugby Union' (WRU is the official governing body of Rugby union in the region of Waikato in the North Island of His performance that day and in Shield defences later that season against Counties and Otago marked him as a clear All Black prospect. The Otago Rugby Football Union' (ORFU is the governing body of Rugby union in the region of Otago in the South Island of New
Though left out of the initial training squads, Merhtens developed so much that he forced his way into the 1995 World Cup squad, having made his All Black debut in the early season test against Canada when he scored 28 points. For the Canadian Rugby league team see Canada national rugby league team.
In the World Cup tournament he was a success, one of three youngsters with Jonah Lomu and Josh Kronfeld who gave the All Blacks a dimension which had been lacking for much of the 1994 season. Jonah Tali Lomu, MNZM (born 12 May 1975 is a New Zealand Rugby union footballer Joshua Adrian Kronfeld (born 20 June 1971) is a former Rugby union footballer who represented New Zealand at international level and Otago The only quibble about Merthens at the World Cup was missing a dropped goal attempt in the extra time of the final.
Over the next six or seven seasons Mehrtens was a virtual automatic selection for the All Black squad, though he was not always assured of a starting position. A knee injury curtailed his 1995 tour of France and in the next few seasons injury and competition from the likes of Carlos Spencer and Tony Brown saw him miss a number of tests. Carlos James Spencer (born 14 October 1975 in Levin) is a New Zealand Rugby union footballer who plays at ( for Northampton Tony Eion Brown (born January 17, 1975 in Balclutha New Zealand) is a New Zealand Rugby union footballer playing mainly at
But he reasserted himself during the 1999 season, both in kicking a record nine penalties in a trans-Tasman test against Australia at Eden Park and then at the World Cup. The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in Rugby union. Eden Park is the main sports ground in Auckland, New Zealand for both Rugby union during winter and Cricket in summer The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth Rugby World Cup and the first to be held in Rugby union 's professional era. However, an injury in the quarter-final against Scotland clearly affected him in the latter rounds. The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international Rugby union.
Besides his importance to the All Blacks, Mehrtens from the late 1990s to the mid 2000s fashioned an outstanding record for the Crusaders at Super 12 level. He had key roles in their three title wins in 1998–2000, either through his tactical command of games or, as in the 2000 final against the Brumbies, with a penalty goal under severe pressure. The Brumbies (formerly known as the ACT Brumbies, for sponsorship reasons referred to as CA Brumbies) are a Super 14 Rugby union team He also played in the Crusaders sides which won the Super 12 titles of 2002 and 2005, even though in the final season he was now playing second fiddle to his protege Daniel Carter. Daniel William "Dan" Carter (born 5 March 1982 in Southbridge, near Christchurch, New Zealand is a New Zealand Rugby union footballer
Mehrtens was also a huge contributor to Canterbury at National Provincial Championship (NPC) levels, with his inside back partnership with half-back Justin Marshall becoming celebrated. The Air New Zealand Cup is New Zealand 's professional domestic Rugby union competition A Rugby union team is made up of 15 players eight forwards numbered from 1 to 8 and seven backs numbered from 9 to 15 As well as 1994 against Waikato he played in Shield winning sides in 2000 (against Waikato again) and in 2004 against Bay of Plenty. The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union' (BOPRU is the official governing body for Rugby union in the Bay of Plenty. He played in three NPC winning sides in 1997, 2001 and 2004.
Over the latter stages, especially in 2003, Mehrtens was beset by personal problems which in turn affected his fitness and form. He battled to make the Crusaders then and in 2004 and was left out of the All Blacks for the 2003 season, though many believed he should have been recalled for the World Cup. The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby union world cup and was won by England.
He eventually did win his All Black place back for a brief period in 2004, but by then it had become clear that the immediate future belonged to Carter. At the end of the 2005 Super 12, Mehrtens left New Zealand rugby to play for the Harlequins in Britain. The 2005 season of the Super 12 rugby union competition began on 25 February 2005 and ended on 28 May with the Canterbury-based Crusaders
He left behind a formidable record: 281 first class games for 3,178 points, 108 games for Canterbury for 1,056 points, 87 for the Crusaders and 981 points, 72 games for the All Blacks and 967 points in 70 tests. His test aggregate is still a record for a New Zealander but would have been greater, and well into four figures, had he not missed many of the "softer" tests played during his time in the All Blacks. His understudies - Simon Culhane, Spencer and Brown - all scored heavily in his absence from these matches. Simon Culhane (born March 10, 1968 in Invercargill, New Zealand) is a rugby player who won 6 caps playing at fly-half for
International
Merthens debuted for the All Blacks in 1995 and 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. The All Blacks are New Zealand's national team in Rugby union, the country's National sport. For the Canadian Rugby league team see Canada national rugby league team. He also featured in the team that played in the 1995 Rugby World Cup final against South Africa and came within inches of claiming victory for New Zealand, with a drop goal attempt veering just wide of the posts at the end of regulation time. The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted by South Africa, and had the distinction of being the first Rugby World Cup in which every match
Mehrtens is currently the all-time leading point scorer for the All Blacks, with 967 points (all statistics as of 21st September 2005). This is a list of the leading scorers in Rugby union Test matches. He has scored 20 or more points in 13 separate Tests, has scored nine penalties in two separate Tests, and is currently the only player to have scored over 300 points in the Tri Nations Series. The Tri Nations is an annual international Rugby union series held between the national teams of Australia (the Wallabies) New Zealand (the 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. The South Africa national Rugby union team (commonly referred to as the Springboks in English Springbokke in Afrikaans and Amabokoboko The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in Rugby union. Mehrtens is also atop the all-time list for Test conversions, with 167. A supposed drop in form, combined with injuries, saw him miss out on the All Blacks World Cup squad in 2003. Critics of coach John Mitchell felt New Zealand's chances were dealt a blow without the choice of an experienced goal-kicker, an area in which New Zealand could not compete in the semi-final against Australia. Nonetheless, a strong 2004 Super 12 campaign saw him called back to the All Blacks. The Super 14 is the largest Rugby union football club championship in the Southern hemisphere, consisting of four state teams from Australia (Queensland/Reds He was also not included in the 2005 All Black squad to face the British Lions. The British and Irish Lions (until 2001 known as the British Isles Rugby Union Team or "British Lions" Rugby union side comprises a pick of the best players from
Provincial
In Super 12, Mehrtens was a key member of the dominant Crusaders side that won the competition four times in five years (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002), and in 2005, another successful year for the Crusaders, he also played well, making regular appearances off the bench and starting in a few games. The Super 14 is the largest Rugby union football club championship in the Southern hemisphere, consisting of four state teams from Australia (Queensland/Reds For the speedway team see Canterbury Crusaders (speedway. The Crusaders (formerly the During 2005 he became the competition's leading all-time scorer. He was also on three NPC-winning Canterbury sides, in 1997, 2001 and 2004. The National Provincial Championship, or NPC, was the predecessor to the current Air New Zealand Cup and Heartland Championship in New Zealand rugby The Canterbury Rugby Football Union' (CRFU is the official governing body for Rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region of New
Mehrtens is credited with reestablishing the Canterbury union as a force in world rugby again after nine years in the wilderness when in 1994 he generaled a young team who won the Ranfurly Shield off Waikato. The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is perhaps the most prestigious trophy in New Zealand 's domestic Rugby union competition The Waikato Rugby Union' (WRU is the official governing body of Rugby union in the region of Waikato in the North Island of Since that time Canterbury under his stewardship won the numerous Super 12 and NPC championships listed above together with rewinning the Ranfurly Shield in 2000. Andrew won his way into the team having displaced firstly Peter Boyce (now NZ PwC partner) in Canterbury B then Greg Coffey in the Canterbury A team. PricewaterhouseCoopers (or PwC is one of the world's largest Professional services firms
Post All Blacks
Mehrtens played his final match for Harlequins on the final day of the 2006-07 season which fell on his birthday, scoring 24 points in a victory over the Sale Sharks, after which supporters and fellow teammates celebrated his birthday and bid farewell to him after the game ended. Sale Sharks are a professional Rugby union team who play in England in the Guinness Premiership.
On 23 May 2007, Mehrtens joined French Pro D2 team Toulon. Events 1430 - Siege of Compiègne: Joan of Arc is captured by the Burgundians while leading an army to relieve Compiègne Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Rugby Pro D2, also known as Pro D2 is the second level of domestic club Rugby union in France, below the first division Top 14. RC Toulonnais (also known as RC Toulon or just Toulon) is a French professional Rugby union based in Toulon in Provence-Alpes-Côte
See also
External links
High School Old Boys is a Rugby Union Football club based in Christchurch, New Zealand. The All Blacks are New Zealand's national team in Rugby union, the country's National sport.Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic