No decision on Halvey replacement

AMONG THE Irish party at Saturday's Super 12 game was a convalescing Eddie Halvey, who looked none the worse for wear after his brief stay in hospital on Friday due to a bacterial ulcer. This latest blow to the unfortunate Halvey completes a fairly awful season for the flanker, save for Shannon's league success, after a determined effort to restore his standing on this tour.

"It's really disappointing. I saw this tour as a chance to prove myself. This is the last thing I wanted." He returns to Ireland tomorrow but as yet Brian Ashton and Pat Welan have not decided on whether to call up a replacement. Already ruled out is the unavailable David Corkery. Other possibilities are Halvey's clubmate, Alan Quinlan, who had a superb season, or perhaps Ken O'Connell, whose big hits and high tackle count might be what the doctor ordered.

The red carpet wasn't exactly rolled out for the Irish party at Saturday's Super 12 game, and the most humbling moment for Brian Ashton and Gary Halpin occurred at half-time. Moments before, a representative from Sky Sports requested a live televised interview with the pair, which necessitated them being led to the other end of the ground.

On returning, the Irish coach and captain revealed it had been a waste of time. "Someone more important turned up," they revealed - the All Blacks' assistant coach and NZ Academy coach, Ross Cooper.

One Tree Hill was once immortalised in music by U2, and is the public park which was bequeathed by the late Sir John Logan Campbell to the people of Auckland. He did so on the proviso that the land would forever be inhabited by animals, mostly sheep it would appear, on the grounds that he envisaged the day when there would be no such facilities left in a totally urbanised New Zealand.

Thankfully, his apocalyptic vision has not come to fruition, but One Tree Hill still affords a panoramic view of the city. Adjacent to the eponymous tree - now supported from all sides after an abortive attempt to cut it down by a Maori protester - is a towering obelisk in Campbell's name. The Hill's Maori name is maugakieki (hill of the kieki plant) which was the longest and most populous of the many Maori settlements on the now extinct volcanic cones in Auckland.

One of the more bizarre and morally questionable sights which your reporter happened upon yesterday is a Kiwi variation on They Shoot Horses Don't They? Radio Hauraki have offered a first prize of NZ$20,000 (roughly £9,000) to the person who out-lasts, or more pertinently, out-lives nine rivals in a billboard.

This competition was limited to 10 contestants, cordoned off into ten 10 tiny lots in which they could pitch their tents with not enough room to swing a cat. After 87 days, six have "checked out", leaving Jessica, Brad, Dave and Rodney.

Asked how long would it take, Dave exclusively told The Irish Times: "as long as it takes." A drain-layer by trade, Dave explained that he is looking after his daughter, now studying in school, and would use the money to "start a business."

Amazingly, they all get on well, though it might take another few months to resolve their competition, and imagine the dagger looks when there are only two remaining?

There have been no days of rest for the Irish squad since Zarrival, though there was one token afternoon trip to the Bay of Islands last week from Whangerei, during which Gary Halpin presented all the touring party with an alternative cap in suitably bizarre varieties. Yesterday evening's excursion was to the Irish Cultural Centre (come to NZ and see the Irish Cultural Centre?) and a Maori presentation (more like it).

The long and winding road to France 1998 appears to be laden with obstacles for the New Zealand "All Whites" - though the coach driver, rather than the former Irish National coach Joe McGrath is in more pressing need of support.

Prior to the opening World Cup qualifier at home to Papua New Guinea next Saturday, the All Whites met a second string All Stars XI last Wednesday. On the coach journey from Auckland to Palmerston North for the game the driver missed a key turn-off into Taumarunui and headed merrily through one of the worst North Island roads to Stratford.

By the time the players and officials reached their destination at 11.30 pm - four hours beyond their expected arrival after travelling 128 needless kilometres there were horror stories of sickness, tiredness and the anxiety of the bus getting through one tunnel with just millimetres to spare.

The All Whites stumbled to a 2-2 draw.