The veteran All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu is returning home from the Blues' tour of South Africa, after failing to overcome his latest calf injury.

The Blues and All Blacks centurion sat out last week's loss to the Bulls in Pretoria and will now also skip Sunday's game against the Lions at Ellis Park.

Mealamu, who turns 35 next week, will have a scan on his troublesome left calf on Friday.

He's had multiple calf injuries that have limited his game time recently with the All Blacks and the Blues.

The Blues meet the Lions at 1am Sunday.

On Friday night, the Chiefs take on the Stormers at 6.35pm while the Crusaders play the Rebels at 8.40pm.

Story by: Akuila Cama
Source: Radio NZ