Northern hemisphere club rugby union is not that well-regarded 'down under' but, after playing a key part in Toulouse's dramatic European Cup semi-final win over London Irish, All Black scrum-half Byron Kelleher reckons the critics have got it all wrong.
The 31-year-old was outstanding in marshalling an injury-hit Toulouse back division as the three-times European champions were forced into some desperate defence during the closing stages of a gripping 21-15 win over the Exiles here at Twickenham.
Afterwards Kelleher, who joined Toulouse following a World Cup where favourites New Zealand were beaten in the quarter-finals by France, admitted: "I've always scratched my head and wondered what northern hemisphere rugby is all about.
"But in dry conditions I've realised it's not very different to the level of the Super 14. In fact, it's more like Test rugby," added Kelleher, who played 66 Tests for New Zealand before retiring from international duty in October.
"There was a lot of skill on show in our semi-final. The spirit of rugby was there with both teams looking to create chances," he also told reporters after Saturday's match.
"If anyone back home thinks northern hemisphere rugby is boring, I can tell them it's not.
"It's more of a marathon than a sprint up here and that's means you have to test yourself mentally and physically."
Although London Irish, in their first European Cup semi-final, couldn't quite do enough to deny Toulouse a place in the May 24 final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, they could take heart from several individual displays, including that of man-of-the-match Topsy Ojo.
The 22-year-old, albeit assisted by poor defending from France internationals Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and Cedric Heymans, scored a superb solo try from a standing start out on the touchline.
Now Ojo who toured South Africa last year but failed to make his Test debut, hopes his recent performances have secured him a place in England's squad for their two-Test tour of New Zealand in June.
"There's a lot of talented young English wingers out there," he said after Saturday's match.
"I've got to do my basics right but when it comes to breaking into the senior squad, it's that little bit extra that you need to set you apart.
"I'm happy with the way things went against Toulouse. I think I'm ready for international rugby but all I can do is keep playing well.
"It's occasions like European Cup semi-finals that get players noticed," Ojo added.
London Irish's performance belied their current seventh-place position in England's 12-team Premiership and, after their semi-final defeat, they may yet miss out on qualification for next season's European Cup.
However, an upbeat Ojo added: "The club wants more days like these and we'll do anything in our power to get back in the competition."
AFP
