Andrew Mehrtens is a legend of NZ Rugby and the second highest All Blacks point scorer of all time.
Few players have earned such wide popularity and affection as Mehrts and he’s also widely regarded as one of the most intelligent All Blacks and Sir Wayne Smith described him to us as a ‘genius’ on and off the field.
He was also a Crusaders’ cult hero, winning five Super Rugby titles with the franchise in 10 seasons before finishing his playing career in Europe,
Still popular with fans and media alike, Mehrtens is now a respected commentator, pundit, and keynote speaker.
0:00 Getting leave shortly after having newborn twins
2:42 Mehrts and his French
5:39 Reflections on New Zealand after living abroad for 20 years
9:34 Relationship with the present day All Blacks via Razor
14:22 Reflecting on the loss of a father
25:15 The making of Mehrts
32:41 An emerging rugby talent
37:19 Laying the foundations in Italy at 19
42:18 Breaking into the All Blacks
46:29 Mehrts on Jonah
52:23 The 1995 Rugby World Cup
56:15 The myth of pre-match rituals
59:38 Suzie and the final
1:06:26 Court sessions and Pinetree
1:10:14 The laundry committee and All Blacks hierarchy
1:15:36 Wayne Smith and the Crusaders
1:22:56 Influence and leadership
1:25:57 Pulling the fingers at Loftus Versfeld
1:30:54 A bloke called Dan Carter
1:33:19 The post NZ rugby career
1:38:15 Transition to life outside of rugby
1:43:08 Punditry and speaking gigs
1:48:52 Looking back on the rugby career
1:53:49 Last words from Seamus, Steve, and Mehrts
30 Comments
He’s a legend for pulling the fingers 😂
Mehrts, him and then DC. Two of the greatest 10's to ever do it.
Man, the 90s and 00s were spoiled with 10s. Merhts, Spencer, and Carter the complete combination of both pivots. Has Merhts kicking, IQ, distribution skills, and Spencer's running game and creativity.
All Black Legend. Thanks for the memories Mehrts
One of my favorite podcasts. I have listened to a few of them by you guys, well done on getting Mehrts what a wonderful player and openness to share his experiences both on and off the field. Cheers guys great work.
Absolute legend Mehrtz!! I grew up with Foxy, Merhtz, king Carlos, into the Goat DC! Our country has been for generations a 1st 5/8 factory of absolute greats!! Thanks for sharing all the memories mate
I had friends that knew him pretty well, and when to the cricket with him once. So not claiming to know him, but he was a real character, lovely to the kids that came up and a really enjoyed being with his friends. Never would of thought he was shy or retiring.
Mehrts….such a great great player. Big moment player. Never phased. Super skilled.
Grew up in Christchurch, imagine how cool it would be to have Mr Mehrtens as a primary school teacher. RIP to his father, he raised a great man who honestly everybody wanted to be back in the late 90s when I was starting primary.
McCaw, Carter, Cullen Shelford
are the best players I've ever seen but Mehts will always be my favourite player.
He was actually a decent mathematician apparently as well – was in a winning Cantamaths team.
Just listened to this on I heart radio, truly one of the legends, could doubled this and still would've been well intrigued. Thanks b2bs!!! Your shizz is awesome!
“Between two Beers” the only thing missing are the beers, the evolution of the podcast. Excuse my cynicism I’m so bored …….
In 1999, the Crusaders came over 2 Sydney, i was working at Sydney Airport, i went upstairs 2 catch up with Normy B, 'Mehrts' was with, that was a bonus, because i was a big fan(still am), the boss let me go up catch up 4 10/20 mins, i was there 4 an hour & a half, 'Mehrts' was captivating, i didn't wanna go, but their bus arrived, the boss was all good, she was from Aotearoa…
Great chat, usually i watch maybe podcasts in 20 minute segments, this had me riveted, i watched the whole thing, in 1 go, 1st time, ever…
What an absolute deadbeat loser, go f uck yourself Andrew, you mouth breathing waste of oxygen. Why have more kids when you can't even look after the other three?
nah nah, Merhtz is being humble. Smithy is right. Merhtz' in game smarts was next level. it's all good visualising success, it's another thing to actualize it. there's a reason a young DC followed him round like a bad smell.
was a privilege being a Crusaders fan in the late 90s.
Condolences Mehrtens Whanau 🙏
That "forward pass" to Jonah was ridiculous. There were so many things stacked up against the ABs that day. Much like 2023.
My alltime favourite ABs first five-eighth. Better than Carter in my opinion.
The circle has to be below the hip for a punch though…
Awesome korero men👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾…Mertz was one of my favourites…Got to meet him at Bruce Stadium Canberra at the Super Rugby Final against Brumbies, he should have started but didn’t. Ben Blair had a night to forget and Mertz got on the field when the game was all Brumbies and came so close to turning it around.
Bloody awesome ❤❤❤
Way to make me cry Merhts – legendary player
I grew up in sth Auckland and always preferred him over Carlos. Absolutely brilliant player!
Where's the TWO BEERS?
Incredible pod boys. Probably one of the best I’ve seen. It had everything. The feels when he’s choking up bout his dad, his bilingual upbringing, his high level impressions, mixed with all the rugby experiences and then to cap it off with his family. He’s such a good cunt!
Solid work boys!
Been in the States 20yrs and listened to an absolute mountain of podcasts.and you guys interview as well or better than any Podcasters here.
(Rogan the Goat mind you)..
You guys know how to pause/set/engage with your guest.
Love it!!!
Levin boy in Louisiana.
Wow! What a fella to play along side; to have a beer with and to be a mate! Good on'ya Merhts. And thank god you never stayed and played for South Africa! Thank you Lord! Kia kaha e hoa!
what a champ you are always will bE or mE ….hay im ovEr 70
During the Lions tour here in 2017, I was invited to a Placemakers gig at Horncastle Arena before one of the midweek games. He was onstage with Tony Veitch. Wow, what an embarrassment he and his buddy were. It's fair to say they both had taken a little too much from their bottles, but the base-level, snide banter from them both meant heaps of people were walking out. A little sad to be honest from someone who had such a global identity.