Kelleher
Famed for being an aggressive but talented scrum-half.
Byron Kelleher Bio
Byron Kelleher is a retired rugby union scrum-half who was famed for his speed, strength – and often his unpredictability on the pitch. He played for a number of professional clubs across differing domestic leagues as well as at international level for the All Blacks.
Born in Dunedin, New Zealand in 1976, Byron Kelleher began his career in 1997 at provincial side Otago in the NPC. He also played at the same time for the Highlanders in what was the Super 14 - having previously played as a youth at Otago Boys’ High School. In 2003 he then moved to play for Waikato and the Chiefs respectively, remaining with these Kiwi clubs until 2007.
During his time playing in New Zealand, he made over 200 appearances as a player, scoring over 300 points and in 1999 was the Super 12 ‘Player of the Year’.
Byron Kelleher’s next steps in his professional career saw him initially sign for Agen in the Top 14, but following the team’s relegation he instead joined Toulouse. He saw notable success with the French side, winning the title in the 2007-08 season, being named that season’s best player and a Heineken Cup win in 2010. He stayed with the side until 2011 making over 100 appearances. He was meant to join Bayonne for the 2011-12 season, but instead headed to Stade Français, playing one season before retiring from the game.
Byron Kelleher’s form during his years in New Zealand was more than enough to see him called up to the national side. After making his debut in 1999 against Samoa, he enjoyed an impressive career on the world stage and played in the Rugby World Cup in the same year. He also featured at the subsequent tournaments in 2003 and 2007. In total he played 57 times for the All Blacks, and a notable highlight was the key part he had in the side’s third place finish in the 2003 tournament.
An often-controversial figure, Byron Kelleher was in and out of the tabloids during his career, but after his retirement from the game, has led a more reserved life. He’s now a pundit for Sky Sports, an ambassador for Airbus and has had shares in a bar and restaurant in France.
