'Four more years' - Gregan's World Cup barb is not forgotten

Byron Kelleher. Picture / Brett Phibbs

You sense there is a concealed disregard for George Gregan below the public admiration.

If you listen long enough to All Black halfback Byron Kelleher, and he has learned to prattle on with the best of them these days, you are aware he is no great fan of the world's most capped international.

Nowhere near it.

Even if he lived in Christchurch, Kelleher would not be inviting his Wallaby opponent around for a barbecue after tomorrow's test as former All Black halfback Justin Marshall did. No siree.

There was the celebrated "four more years" taunt from Gregan to Kelleher late in the 2003 World Cup semifinal as the All Blacks saw their campaign wither in Sydney.

It was a decent sledge and while Kelleher dismisses it as "water off a duck's back" he also admits he keeps the remark in the "back of my mind".

"It was heat of the moment, there is a bit of rivalry there which has built up over the years between George and myself in games we have played in.

"I don't pay too much attention to nuggety little comments.

"He is hugely competitive, we all know Georgie is pretty vocal on the field but I am probably a different style of halfback. I hope I let my actions speak for me."

He thinks his first serious confrontation with Gregan came in 2000 when the Highlanders halfback got into the Brumbies captain, tailing him all game with a one-on-one marking.

It was a tactic to force Gregan to distribute all game, something "he did not seem to take too kindly to".

The plan worked, the Highlanders won and Kelleher was also able to reproduce the strategy in the Bledisloe Cup.

It was the sort of confrontational approach former Springbok halfback Joost van der Westhuizen had advocated as the best way to ruffle Gregan and impede the Wallabies.

While Kelleher concurs, he also points out that there were not too many games where duels could get personal and individual.

Gregan was a superb athlete who had lasted a long time at the most elite level in rugby and Kelleher amped himself for every duel he had with the Wallaby. Meeting the best brought out the best in him.

"I am very determined to do well. You have to focus on what is going on around you in the game rather than the individual, though," said Kelleher.

"George is very tactical, he is very good at drawing people and putting others into space around him so I do not want to overcommit too much. He darts around the field quite nicely and gets to the breakdown to distribute ball for their backs to work some angles."

Kelleher said he did not allow himself to be distracted by Gregan's persistent banter.

The Wallaby halfback liked to be part of a tactical game, he did not react so well when he was put under repeated physical pressure, his game tended to ebb when he was challenged. Achieving that was difficult, though, and often the job for the All Black forwards.

"I don't think he likes confrontation too much but he is not shy of the tackle," said Kelleher. The All Black halfback has been on the test scene since 1999 and will play his 42nd test tomorrow after staving off the challenge from Piri Weepu.

Coach Graham Henry said Kelleher's work in tough conditions in the second test against Ireland sealed that decision. He had shown his tenacity after being injured in the first test and made some strong decisions.

Super 14 did not go so well for Kelleher and he had to nail a performance in the initial tests to be picked for the start of the Tri-Nations.

"I could not rely on past years or experience or games, it is about a 'now' focus," he said. "After taking a knock in the first game I knew I really had to recollect my focus for the second test. I made sure my preparation was there, that was the key and I came out with a good performance."

It had been strange then travelling to Argentina knowing he was not going to play in Buenos Aires but he was rapt to make this week's lineup.

Kelleher would not be saying much to Gregan during the test, he was not going to waste his breath on that sort of sideshow. It would only motivate Gregan and he was not in that business.

What Kelleher wanted was a run of consistent tests and a World Cup result to be reversed when the fourth year rolled around next season. He would not care who the opposition halfback was, nor would he sledge him if he was Gregan.

All Kelleher wanted was for the All Blacks to win the 2007 tournament.