All Black Byron Kelleher. Photo / Reuters
CARDIFF - For all the fond rugby memories that come with being an All Black, halfback Byron Kelleher will forever harbour a feeling of emptiness.
The nuggety No 9 signed off on international rugby in today's 18-20 rugby World Cup quarterfinal loss to France and he was finding
it hard to play down the scale of his disappointment.
"I've sacrificed my last 10 years or 12 years in New Zealand to win a World Cup," Kelleher said.
"Sure I've had great memories of being in the All Blacks, having great victories and winning competitions and shields and trophies but we haven't been able to reach the pinnacle.
"Like all New Zealanders at the moment, I'm suffering mate. It hurts, it hurts something chronic."
Kelleher is the only player to have been involved in the last three New Zealand exits from the tournament.
In 1999 he was a surprise selection to start ahead of Justin Marshall for the 31-43 semifinal loss to France at Twickenham.
Then in 2003 he came on early in the second half for an injured Marshall in the 10-22 semifinal loss to Australia at Sydney and was on the end of the famous "four more years" sledge from opposite George Gregan.
There could be no such taunt directed at Kelleher this time, simply because it was his 57th and final test before he takes up a contract with French club Toulouse.
He will leave feeling bitter about a third failed campaign, particularly pained because he believed this team were stronger than the 1999 side.
"With respect to any other All Black who was involved in that campaign, the closeness and camaraderie we've got in this team is something special," he said.
"We strongly believed we could have pulled it off. There were two points in it but two points that didn't go our way.
"It hurts even more in the fact that we're a better team and we know it."
Kelleher expected the reaction in New Zealand to be one of despair that the country's World Cup drought would continue until at least 2011.
"I believe all New Zealanders should feel aggrieved with what's happened tonight because we're such a passionate country," he said.
"Rugby is our pinnacle and that's what we represent.
"It wouldn't be right to not feel that."
- NZPA
