The Brumbies may miss their chance to bait Chiefs halfback Byron Kelleher in Saturday’s final-round Super 12 rugby match at Hamilton.
Chiefs coach Ian Foster revealed on Tuesday night that there is some doubt that the star halfback will play in the crunch match where the hosts need just one point to secure their first semifinal appearance.
It was reported on Tuesday that Kelleher was a sledging target for the Australians given his combative nature on the field.
A sell-out crowd of 25 000 is predicted at Waikato Stadium, where the Brumbies, the competition leaders who are already in the playoffs, want to secure a home tie.
The injury news was not particularly good for the Chiefs. Centre Keith Lowen, who has missed three of the last four games, was forced to quit training when his hamstring injury flared as he tried to hit top speed.
Lock Keith Robinson (back injury) has resumed training, but is not yet taking part in contact work.
Kelleher has heavy thigh bruising and is being rested until Wednesday morning. Kevin Senio is on standby and trained last night alongside Kelleher’s understudy, Isaac Boss.
The Brumbies’ suspicions will be raised, and they will expect Kelleher to face them on Saturday. But Foster said there was genuine doubt over his participation, adding that that he had no fears about the halfback’s temperament in the heat of battle.
”I certainly haven’t seen any evidence of any problems,” Foster said. ”He’s grown considerably this year in the way he handles pressure and his decision-making.
”At this stage I’m very hopeful of him playing, but we really won’t know until Thursday morning. There is an element of doubt, I have to say.”
Brumbies coach David Nucifora has pinpointed the acquisition of Kelleher as a key to the Chiefs’ turnaround this season.
”I honestly believe that, while it hasn’t been a single-handed effort, Kelleher has played a large role in turning around the Chiefs’ fortunes,” he said.
Media reports out of Australia on Tuesday highlighted the infamous clash in last year’s World Cup semifinal when Brumbies halfback Gregan stood over Kelleher yelling ”four more years”, referring to the All Blacks’ next chance of winning the Webb Ellis Trophy.
Stephen Larkham revealed in his World Cup book that Kelleher was perceived as easy to rile.
”There’s a background to what George did,” Larkham wrote. ”Byron is a fine combative player whose ability is admired by Australians who have played against him.
”But it happens that he is one player who seems to become unsettled when opponents taunt him; it seems to put him off his game … someone usually has a go at getting into Byron’s ear.” — Sapa-NZPA