All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu's heart sinks at the prospect of long-time All Blacks colleague Andrew Hore hanging up his boots.
Mealamu, who will play his 109th Test against France in Paris on Saturday, says he will sorely miss Hore if, as expected, the 35-year-old hooker retires after this tour.
Speculation remains over the future of the 82-cap Hore, who hasn't made an official announcement about his future.
He hasn't signed a Super Rugby contract for next year after captaining the Highlanders in 2012 and has previously indicated he wants to spend time on his farm in Central Otago.
Mealamu, 34, reflected on their partnership which dates back to the 2002 tour of Europe.
Hore made his debut against England exactly 11 years ago while Tokoroa-born Mealamu was handed his debut two weeks later against Wales.
"Me and Horey are two people from two different pasts, we're really different but we get on like a house on fire and have a lot of respect for each other," Mealamu said.
"I don't want to think about it (Hore's retirement) to be honest."
The pair came together in a time of transition after former captain Sean Fitzpatrick had virtually owned the hooker position for more than a decade.
Mealamu says Hore is highly underrated as a player while, off the field, the pair have enjoyed a tight bond and been happy to share the load rather than compete for it.
"We're always seen each other as a one-two punch. We've been able to play in some really big Tests in our career together.
"We just understood that we're there to make sure we win Tests."
The veteran pair's workload has been tightly controlled this year.
Mealamu makes just his second start of 2013 on Saturday while Hore has started six and is likely to wear No.2 against England next week.
The third hooker used this year, 26-year-old Dane Coles, has started four Tests and come off the bench four times.
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