By their own admission, the Wallabies have not played the way they would like, with the scrum criticised for lacking physical presence and misfiring drastically in the lineout.

But Mealamu has grown up watching from across the Tasman as Australian sporting sides of all natures battled through adversity to reach glorious heights.

“They are a strong pack and quite smart as well. They have got a few tricks with their scrummaging so we are going to have to be just as smart,” he said.

“They know how to do their jobs and do them well. I have never seen them buckle. They are a smart forward pack. They get good teams under pressure when they want to, so we are going to be just as smart as them.”

There have been too many occasions over recent years – be it John Eales’ touchline conversion in 2000 or Toutai Kefu’s last-minute try a year later - where Australia have got the better of New Zealand for Mealamu to dismiss their chances.

“A lot of people have been writing them off and I don’t know why,” he said.

“They are a great team. It is going to be very tough at the weekend.

“I would not have a clue why everyone is writing them off. They are a great side and have put some good wins together and people still seem to be writing them off.

“When they are going forward, they are awesome to play against and hard to stop. They have shown going forward they can run the ball as well as us.

“I think they have proved they are a good side.”

The lineout battle will be intriguing, given it has often been perceived as a weak point for the All Blacks.

Mealamu has been working religiously on hitting his men – in this case Chris Jack and Ali Williams – and is often spotted at training aiming for, and hitting, a black spot on the crossbar.

But it is Mealamu’s work in the loose that stands him apart.

All Blacks coach John Mitchell believes the 24-year-old former loose forward possesses qualities no other hooker in the world can boast, as evidenced in the way he barrelled over for a try in the quarter-final win over South Africa.

Clive Woodward would say the same about Steve Thompson, but the two men boast very different physiques. The point is, Mealamu is virtually without parallel.

“He is a phenomenal player. Throughout the World Cup we have started to appreciate the quality of skills he possesses,” said Brendan Cannon, Mealamu’s opposite number on Saturday and the consistently most impressive Australian forward this tournament.

“He has obviously become an integral part of the All Blacks’ side. Not only is he good in the set piece but just around the field he is quite phenomenal.

“He, like all the guys in the All Blacks side, are probably big threats to us on Saturday night. Defence is something that is going to be a big factor for us.”

Mealamu misses his family back home, where his two-year-old son Samuel runs to kiss the television screen every time his daddy pops up.

But there are only 10 days of the tournament remaining and if Mealamu can fly home with a World Cup winners’ medal it will all be worth it.

If he can’t? Well, the boy from Tokoroa, son of two Samoan parents, is still living a dream.

After all, he did not even have a Super 12 contract this time last year.

“Everything seems to be happening really quickly. I am just really happy to be here,” he said.

“I used to be a loose forward, but I moved to hooker four or five years ago and it is just the place to be.

“I just wasn’t getting any taller – I was getting a little wider rather than taller!

“I am a full blooded Samoan but I was born in New Zealand and have grown up in New Zealand.

“They developed my rugby so it has always been a dream of mine to play for the All Blacks.”