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You would not guess it to look at Byron Kelleher during the haka and the national anthem, but the All Black halfback says he has the handbrake on his emotions during the World Cup.
Kelleher, who will link with the French club Toulouse after the tournament, said he used to get far too uptight before matches and that often impacted adversely on his performance.
The 30-year-old still packs some venom into the pre-match rituals but says that is his method of channelling his thoughts and concentration.
"I think that recently and only recently, that I've been able to control a lot more of my emotions," he said on the eve of the Cardiff quarter-final against France.
"I think that probably now more than ever, especially in the All Black jersey, I have been able to go into a game enjoying the occasion rather than being worried about how I am going to play, how I am going to perform or winding myself up too much." Kelleher refused to disclose his mental techniques but said he had deliberately sought out some new strategies to deliver him in top shape at the kickoff.
"I have done certain things off the field to make sure I can just roll into a game and just make sure I feel good about what I am about to do.
"I don't regret saying this at all but I think I probably got too wound up and too tied up in the occasion rather than focusing on moment by moment. That is what players do, they grow, they learn, they understand how to control situations and it is perfect timing for me to be able to do that.
"I am a bit calmer, more relaxed. I just felt I was a wee bit erratic at times, and the position I am in you have to be very calm and clear so it was something I have learned.
"I used to get too hyped up and burned out before games but I am more relaxed now, feeling the atmosphere, I let them [haka and anthem] build me up."
