Half century for alumni All Blacks

08/06/2007

Tomorrow represents something of a red letter day in the All Black careers for Otago Boys' High School's latest All Blacks.

Byron Kelleher (1990-1995)

Both Byron Kelleher (1990-1995) and Richie McCaw (1994-1998) will play their 50th test match in the second internaional against France in Wellington.

Kelleher made his test debut against Samoa at Albany in 1999 and has fashioned a reputation for being a feisty, combative scrumhalf with perhaps his best matches reserved for those against Australia's George Gregan. Kelleher is a strong runner from the set piece and is a constant concern for opposition defensive screens.

Formerly an Otago and Highlanders' representative, Kelleher now plays for Waikato and the Chiefs. He was the Super 12 Player of the Year in 1999.

Richie McCaw (1994-1998)

McCaw was Head Boy in his final year as well as Head of School House, and as well as being voted best all-round sportsman was proxime accessit to the Dux.

Rated as the world's best openside flanker, McCaw has always played for Canterbury and the Crusaders and was seen as the natural successor to Tana Umaga when the latter stepped down as All Black captain. He made his test debut against Ireland in Dublin in 2001.

He was the NPC's Division One Player of the Year in 2002 and 2004, and was named the New Zealand Player of the Year in 2003 and again in 2006, receiving the Kelvin Tremain Memorial Trophy on each of those occasions.