Don't expect New Zealand halfback Byron Kelleher to hold anything back if he gets the call-up during Saturday night's Rugby World Cup semi-final.

Despite not having played a single minute in any of the All Blacks' first five matches of the 2003 RWC, Kelleher was preferred over Steve Devine as Justin Marshall's back-up for the clash with Australia.

"It's an opportunity and you could say I'm like a Coke can that's been dropped several times and is due to be opened," said Kelleher.

"There's plenty of fizz."

It would have worked in the combative Otago scrum-half's favour at the selection meeting that he had had some memorable battles with Australian counterpart George Gregan.

"(Gregan) is a competitive character and I love playing against guys who are competitive," he said.

"... I've got a physical approach to the game, I just like to get in there and get amongst it.

"Hopefully I can bring that onto the field if it's needed.

"(I bring to the team) aggressiveness, harassing my opposition and getting in their faces."

Kelleher and Marshall - along with skipper Reuben Thorne and prop Kees Meeuws - are the only four players in Saturday night's team who were also part of the All Blacks outfit that was upset 43-31 by France at the same stage of the last World Cup.

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