IRVING, Texas — The bitterness and hurt can be heard in Mat McBriar's voice. The Dallas Cowboys' punter has not been able to move past the rejection.

As one of the most famous Australians living abroad, McBriar can't let go of the fact that he was not invited to the wedding of fellow Aussies Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban this past summer in Sydney.

"I don't think they had my right address. Maybe that's what they're saying," the former University of Hawai'i star said. "I don't like to talk about it."

The scar is deep. Almost as deep as his decision not to accept the job as the original Crocodile Hunter, rather than the late Steve Irwin.

"I can't believe I turned it down," McBriar said. "It was between me and Steve. I thought, 'That will never work. The Discovery Channel? Who watches that?' "

This is just part of the dry world of McBriar who, kidding aside, has boomed his way into the hearts of Cowboys fans. Coach Bill Parcells calls him "a weapon" who can flip the field and pin opponents deep in their own territory.

McBriar leads the NFL with a 51.8-yard average on 23 punts this season, and has dropped seven inside the 20. He had a 75-yard punt Sunday against Houston, which tied for the second-longest in team history.

"He's doing an outstanding job," Parcells said. "You'd be hard-pressed to find anybody better."

With his amiable personality and thick Aussie accent, the entertaining and self-deprecating McBriar has settled into his role as The Crocodile Punter. Here's a fact-or-fiction look at the 27-year-old, third-year pro.

Fact or fiction: McBriar never played football until he arrived at the University of Hawai'i in 2000.

Fact. "I played Aussie rules football when I was growing up," he said. "I was actually a pretty good junior player. It was when I got to the senior ranks I wasn't quite as good. And I played golf. No rugby. And no soccer."

Fact or fiction: McBriar is a famous sports celebrity in his native Australia.

Fiction. "Nobody cares who I am back home. I would have to run into a real sports fan to know who I am. I don't think I get mentioned if they mention the NFL back home."

Fact or fiction: Former Chargers punter and Aussie native Darren Bennett helped McBriar become a punter.

Fact. "He was the guy that got me into it all. We have family friends. I came to him with the idea, before I came to America. He got me to Hawai'i through coach June Jones, who coached him in San Diego. Darren is the guy who did it."

Fact or fiction: McBriar was once mugged because he was such a big NFL fan.

Fact (sort of). "Growing up in Australia, I only knew of the Raiders. And the L.A. Raiders jackets were big in Australia. My buddy and I were on the train in Melbourne, and this gang wanted my buddy's Raiders jacket. We had to jump off a moving train. But I can't remember if they got the jacket."

Fact or fiction: When McBriar was at Hawai'i, he knew he could excel and make it to the NFL.

Fiction. "I thought I was in over my head. I thought I was too far behind. I knew I had the leg strength, but the technique was so different. I had to get rid of my Australian rules kicking style. We're always running when we kick. Punting here is totally different."

Fact or fiction: McBriar grew up watching the NFL every Sunday in Australia.

Fiction: "I used to watch the Super Bowl. It was the only televised game in Australia. With Fox back home, there is a live game every week now. I guess those would start, like, 3 in the morning."

Fact or fiction: If it wasn't for a girl, he wouldn't have punted his freshman year at Hawai'i.

Fact. "A week leading up to the first game, I was third string. And the receiver who punted was ahead of me. And this (junior college) All-American was the first guy. He sprained his ankle on the way to study hall because he had been fooling around with his girlfriend. He never got the job.

"The receiver punted the first two games, and I went in the third game. I was dropped for the fourth game, picked up for the fifth game and stayed on."

Fact or fiction: McBriar credits former Cowboys kicking coach Steve Hoffman for his success in the NFL.

Fact. "If it wasn't for Hoffman, I probably wouldn't have made it. I was really raw. He straightened me up a lot."

Fact or fiction: McBriar has a pet kangaroo.

Fiction. "They taste good, though."

Fact or fiction: The last time McBriar went home was January 2005.

Fact. "It's a visa issue. Getting back into the U.S. is a bit trickier now. My parents came to see a few games last year. They've really taken to (American football). I used to send videos back home of my games at Hawai'i."

Fact or fiction: McBriar aspires to one day kick off.

Fact. "I think every punter would love to do it. It makes you more valuable to a team. Field- goal kickers would love to play on a team where they don't have to, if they can."

Fact or fiction: To get a taste of home, McBriar drinks Foster's beer and eats at Outback Steakhouse.

Fiction. "Foster's? Well, it's definitely not outstanding. I've been to Outback once. I didn't know what a 'Bloomin' Onion' was, so I had to try it. It's just an onion."

Fact or fiction: McBriar wants to make sure this article mentions his girlfriend, Erin Seaworth.

Fact. "Thanks, mate."