Kelleher moves to Bay Of Plenty, not to Steamers

Bay of Plenty are set to lose one All Black halfback and gain another.

But Byron Kelleher will not be pulling on a Steamers jersey any time soon after the Waikato No 9 confirmed he was moving to the Bay next month.

Ironically, he will move into the region about the same time fellow All Black halfback Kevin Senio moves out, having signed to play for Canterbury and the Crusaders next year.

Kelleher, an All Black since 1999 with 37 test caps, is completing negotiations to buy a house in Mount Maunganui and will move in when he returns from the All Blacks Grand Slam tour.

"I definitely want to live in that area and I've got a place that I'm looking into. It's a good house and in a good area -- I love the Mount," Kelleher said, just after Bay of Plenty had beaten his side 17-14 on Saturday night.

"I was originally going to be living in the Auckland area but the Bay is too good.

"There's great cafes, great restaurants, good people and it's close to the Waikato as well."

The 28-year-old will base himself in Hamilton during the Super 14 but will commute for the NPC and live here the rest of the year.

Also after last weekend's game, Senio admitted he was playing with a load off his shoulders after announcing the Canterbury shift. "There was no pressure -- it was all off," Senio said.

"I've made my decision and I can go through and just enjoy the last couple of games."

Senio will play his final game for his adopted province on Saturday against Northland and will be delighted if his team-mates can send him off in similar fashion.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES