Andrew Mehrtens

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Mehrtens was born in Durban, South Africa, as his parents lived in South Africa for four years from 1970 and returned to New Zealand when he was still a young child. He grew up in Christchurch, attended Christchurch Boys' High School where he played in the 1st XV, and played Junior Grade Rugby for Kaiapoi. His grandfather, George Mehrtens, played for Canterbury in the 1920s as a fullback and was an All Black in unofficial internationals against New South Wales in 1928. His father, Terry, also a first five, represented Canterbury between 1964 and 1976. Mehrtens made his All Black debut in the early season test against Canada when he scored 28 points. He played in the 1995 World Cup final against South Africa and missed a dropped goal attempt in the extra time of the final. Over the next six or seven seasons he was a virtual automatic selection for the All Black squad. He played for the Crusaders in Super 12, with key roles in their title wins in 1998–2000, 2002, and 2005. He also played for Canterbury at NPC level, winning Shield sides in 1994, 2000, and 2004, and NPC titles in 1997, 2001, and 2004. After leaving New Zealand rugby at the end of the 2005 Super 12, he joined Harlequins in England, then Toulon for the 2007–08 season, and later Racing Métro. He helped his first three clubs to promotion into their country's top flight.

In Their Own Story

The 1995 Rugby World Cup final remains a defining moment in Mehrtens' career. Alongside young stars Jonah Lomu and Josh Kronfeld, he gave the All Blacks a dimension lacking earlier in the season. The team reached the final against South Africa, where the match came down to extra time. In those tense final moments, Mehrtens attempted a drop goal that would have claimed victory for New Zealand, but it veered just wide of the posts by inches. Years later, during the 1999 World Cup, he reasserted himself with a record nine penalties in a trans-Tasman test against Australia at Eden Park, though an injury in the quarter-final against Scotland affected his form in the subsequent rounds.

Reader's Guide

Mehrtens is currently the second all-time points scorer for the All Blacks, with 967 points (7t, 169c, 188p, 10dg), having been overtaken by Dan Carter on 21 November 2009. He has scored 20 or more points in 13 separate Tests, has scored nine penalties in two separate Tests. His 209 points against South Africa is the most ever by one player against one country; he also occupies third place on that list, with 202 against Australia. He is also atop the all-time list for Test conversions, with 167. He became the Super 12 competition's leading all-time scorer during 2005, a crown he held until 9 May 2009.

Did You Know?

• Mehrtens scored 28 points in his Test debut against Canada, which at the time was the highest point total ever by a player making his international debut.
• He played in the 1995 World Cup final 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.
• His father Terry represented Canterbury and played as a fullback for Natal against the 1970 All Blacks.
• Mehrtens played his final match for Harlequins on the final day of the 2006–07 season which fell on his birthday.