Ten out of ten for Meeuws
Sun, 11 Jan 2009 21:09
Kiwi strongman Kees Meeuws in action for the All Blacks
A serious Achilles Tendon injury might have ended Kees Meeuws's 2008/09 club season prematurely, but the Llanelli Scarlets strongman has been handed a welcome distraction during his six-month lay-off.
Meeuws, who ruptured his Achilles Tendon at the end of November, will travel to Cape Town in early February in order to attend the inaugural Cape Town Tens rugby tournament - an event which is the brainchild of Springboks, Bob Skinstad and Robbie Fleck.
Skinstad and Fleck, regular campaigners on the Tens circuit, launched the 2009 CT Tens in mid-August, with the duo intent on putting the city on the map as a sporting and social destination ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
And Meeuws, thanks to his association with adidas - the official equipment suppliers to the Cape Town Tens - will be in the Mother City on the weekend of February 6, 7 and 8 to witness the CT Tens in full swing.
"With rugby being a professional sport, you don't really have the opportunity to interact with your opponents after games anymore," admits Meeuws in conversation with www.capetowntens.com.
"A tournament like the Cape Town Tens is a great opportunity for me to catch up with guys like Bobby and Robbie, who I played against many times, and rekindle old friendships. As players we all have something in common - we love this game of rugby and it's great to be able to get together in a relaxed environment like this."
An on the actual Tens format, Meeuws adds: "A lot of guys here in Europe and back home [in New Zealand] want to be part of tournaments like these.
"When you retire from professional rugby there's no other level to play at, but something like a consistent Ten-a-side 'circuit', in fantastic venues like Cape Town, offers us a nice way to enjoy our rugby and keep in touch with our old mates from our playing days."
Of course, Meeuws won't actually be playing at the Cape Town Tens because of his damaged Achilles - an injury which he suffered during a scrum in a Magners League match against Munster - but that has not tempered his spirits one iota.
"If it wasn't for this injury I wouldn't have been able to commit to the trip," offers Meeuws. "The injury's obviously not great and, believe me, I was really frustrated at first, but there is a silver lining in every situation."
Meeuws should be off crutches by the time he arrives in Cape Town in early February, with him saying: "I might still be in a moon boot - I can't promise that I'll look completely normal - but it sure beats hobbling about on crutches!
"As a prop I need my Achilles Tendon to be at its strongest and I won't be rushing my return - that's for sure. It can easily break down if I rush [the return], so I will make sure I am 100% fit and have the necessary confidence in my leg before returning to action.
"A torn muscle or a broken bone is always harder to gauge and it's quite easy to come back too early and do some more damage," he adds, emphasising his point. "With this injury I know I will be out of action for six months and I have set myself some short-term and long-term goals in terms of doing some weights, starting running, etc, and I intend sticking to those plans laid out for me."
Another reason for Meeuws's determination to return to full fitness properly is the fact that he still relatively new to life in Wales, having just recently joined the Scarlets after a long stint in France. (Before his injury, he managed to make 12 appearances for Llanelli.)
"I have two goals right now," explains Meeuws. "Firstly I want to get fit again... and then, secondly, I want to nail down my spot in the Scarlets starting line-up. I still have a year to go on my contract at the start of next season and I intend on showing the club and its supporters what I'm capable of."
Interestingly enough, Meeuws very nearly returned to New Zealand after his latest stint at Castres in France - he first played for Castres, moved to Agen and then rejoined Castres once again - but a great offer from Llanelli saw him pen a two-year deal with the ambitious Welsh outfit.
"It's great being back in an English-speaking country," admits the 42-times capped All Blacks prop. "Don't get me wrong, France was great and I loved my time there, but I was used to a professional set-up back in New Zealand and that was lacking a bit in France. It's a shame though - there's so much potential in French rugby, yet they just don't nurture their talent properly.
"To be honest, Otago and Auckland were keen on having me back [home], but while I was waiting for the NZRU [New Zealand Rugby Union] to sanction my return, Llanelli came with an offer that I couldn't refuse. The Scarlets are very ambitious and I look forward to playing a part in the club's success."
For now, however, the 118-kilogram monster has his eye on success of a different sort.
"Apparently I'll be managing a Legends team at the Tens, so I'll make sure I whip them into shape," laughs Meeuws.
"I'm really looking forward to heading to Cape Town," he adds, "I've been there before, for Super 12s and with the All Blacks, but this time I'll be able to enjoy myself and relax properly in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
"As I said, I'd love to get involved in some regular Tens rugby when I eventually retire from the game, and I can't wait to meet some new people and forge new friendships in February. Tens rugby has a real future and what better place to host a tournament than Cape Town?!"
* You can join Kees Meeuws and co. at the 2009 Cape Town Tens on February 7 and 8 at Hamilton RFC in Green Point, Cape Town. For ticketing information, visit www.capetowntens.com
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