Kelleher has earned Marshall’s star

Simon Lewis, Auckland

Golden boy Marshall, after all, has probably denied Kelleher around 30 precious caps in a glittering 10-year career in the New Zealand team.

Instead of Marshall edging past Ian Jones as the second most capped All Black of all time during this series, Kelleher might be approaching that 79-cap mark himself.

Rather than dwell on opportunities lost, though, the 28-year-old Waikato Chiefs scrum-half is remarkably calm about Marshall's imminent departure, even a little bit upset.

"I'm actually sad to see him go," said Kelleher. The pair have shared the half-back duties during this series, 31-year-old Marshall starting at number nine in the first Test, in front of his hometown fans in Christchurch and Kelleher taking over in Wellington last weekend. The younger man started the match this time around but All Blacks coach Graham Henry guaranteed the senior partner will finish in Auckland and Kelleher has no complaints.

"He's contributed to New Zealand rugby, helped me with a lot of things and we've kept each other honest and that's brought the best out of both of us. That's healthy for New Zealand rugby and it's great that we've got a lot of depth in a lot of positions, that we're really forcing one another to bring out the best in each other. I just make sure that I'm improving as a player."

Strong and physical and not totally unlike the back-row forwards he plays behind, Kelleher has taken just a fortnight over six years since his Test debut to reach 36 caps for the All Blacks, 19 from the replacements' bench.

It is a poor return for a player of his talents, which were perfectly showcased last weekend at the Cake Tin in Wellington.

Kelleher completed the smoothest of handovers from Marshall's first Test display behind the scrum, feeding his backs quickly and intelligently and providing the platform for outside half Dan Carter to turn in an exquisite two-try and 33-point performance in the 48-18 hammering of the Lions.

The Dunedin-born player very nearly scored a try himself on the half hour with a trademark burst across through the defensive line which took him to within feet of the try line. It was not to be but his hard yards paved the way for winger Sitiveni Sivivatu to pounce for five points as the Lions were systematically taken apart.

"Wrapping up the series was just tremendous," said Kelleher. "We left a few holes around the rucks early in the game and the Lions got through, but the boys showed real character and came back to patch that up and attack the Lions."

With Kelleher, attacking rugby New Zealand-style is light years away from the structured game of the tourists that the All Blacks so cruelly exposed. For him and his compatriots it is a victory for instinct over planning.

"I think we've got a lot of good skills and a game plan we like to implement but I know New Zealand rugby is pretty instinctive. The boys get their hands on the ball at an early age on the field and they don't have a game plan, they just play it instinctively, in front of them. Rugby has only been professional since 1995 so the majority of us growing up played instinctive rugby, not patterned rugby and therefore we just play what's in front of us.

"There's strategies you have to implement but it doesn't always go by computer. Obviously we get advice which we'll stick to, and the messages that we get a few times, but we're the best in New Zealand and they believe in us and what we can do. It's instinctive."

Playing the Lions has also prompted a raised level of performance from Kelleher and despite it's one-sided nature, this series still ranks highly among the other great moments in his career.

"It's the most important. It's been 12 years since the Lions last visited this country and the first time since it's gone professional. It's not just great for rugby and the growing of the game, it's great for the economy and it's awesome for people from overseas to experience New Zealand and its culture.

"To be a part of that is just an amazing feeling and I'm just living that moment and I thrive on the opportunity to go on the field and do what I've been doing since I was five years of age.

"I'm proud to be a New Zealander, proud to represent my country. I've got personality and the best thing is to express it within the team and it's contagious the excitement and enthusiasm, the passion that I have.

"Ever since I was a tiny little fella throwing a ball round I always wanted to be an All Black. I can remember being at school telling everyone I was going to be an All Black, and them laughing at me.

"I just want to make sure I live the day and the age, and contribute to the All Blacks so we can stay at the top of the world."