Kelleher hails All Black forwards
It is fair to say, in the world we live in, that there are certain things in life that are without doubt a great pleasure. In the sporting domain perhaps the most enjoyable of lives little nuances at present would be playing scrum-half behind the All Blacks forward pack.
That just so happens to be the luxury afforded to Byron Kelleher at present, having won his 50th cap in the record demolition of France last week, as the All Blacks prepare for their final game before beginning their Tri Nations defence a week on Saturday.
The visitors to Hamilton on Saturday are Canada, and in the build up to a game many expected Henry to use as a trial for fringe players, Kelleher has paid tribute to his pack. For the record Henry has selected a virtual full strength side to take on the Canucks.
With the cult figure of Carl Hayman as the corner stone the New Zealand pack is regarded as the best in the world, and at present are providing Kelleher and the rest of the illustrious All Black back line something of an easy ride, if there is such a thing in rugby today.
Having dispatched France with consummate ease over the past two weeks, and a similar result expected against Canada this weekend, the real test will come a week on Saturday when they travel to Durban to face the in-form Springboks. But for now Kelleher is enjoying his armchair ride.
“It’s great to have such a dominant scrum. Mike Cron (the All Blacks scrum coach) is doing a great job for them,” said Kelleher to Yahoo!Xtra.
“Individually they have done a lot of work. They are critiquing their performance each week to make sure they are growing and collectively they are definitely putting it on the field.
“That’s great for the role of a halfback to get in there and be disruptive on their No 8 and also it creates running opportunities from the base. So I have to give a pat on the back for those gentlemen for doing that.
“The try (against France) wasn’t the move that we called. But I felt the French defence had rushed up on the outside and if they do that there is usually a gap on the inside.”
Despite being dubbed as World Cup favorites already many are talking about the All Blacks as chokers, but Kelleher firmly believes the squad is coming together and feels they will go into the Tri Nations in great shape as they build towards the World Cup, starting in September.
“I haven’t had a lot of rugby this year and I had a lot of motivation for that game playing my 50th test. So it was enjoyable to get over a niggly hamstring injury and get on with a good performance.
“There was a real determination in the eye before we ran out on the field and that’s a great indication of where we are as a team. We weren’t happy with our performances in the first test and we really had to drive home our standards in the second test.
Having signed for French giants Toulouse after the World Cup Kelleher is keen to enjoy the remaining time he has in the All Black shirt, and believes he is hitting some of his best form and is determined to showcase that again against Canada on Saturday, as well as in the Tri Nations.
“Graham Henry said to me halfbacks are like a fine wine – the more they age the better they get. I’m a lot calmer and a lot clearer on my direction of play. I like the communication side of things and I get right behind the boys and encourage them as much as possible,” he said.
“I think a huge relief is that I’m not worried about next year. There’s no pressure for me … I’m here for one thing. I have stuck around New Zealand to be part of a World Cup winning team, so that’s the goal for me.”
