Players get chance to socialise at formal dinner

IRELAND AND Australia players will be guests at a special dinner for the teams in Perth tomorrow night. This will be the first formal opportunity specifically planned to allow players to socialise with each other since the International Series was resumed in 1998.

In the wake of ugly scenes between the countries over the past three or four years there have been growing calls for some sort of social outlet to enable the players to be able to get to know each other off the field. Kevin Sheedy mentioned the idea after the disastrous second Test in 2006 and Seán Boylan said yesterday it had also been a long-held view of his.

"I like to think the idea came from myself because that was the one thing that upset me greatly the last time. So many lads get so little opportunity to meet on the international stage that it was a shame some telephone numbers weren't exchanged, that e-mails weren't exchanged because in a contest like this the friendships forged would last forever.

"I would look at the likes of the Dipper (Robert DiPierdominico, Australian players of the 1980s) who comes to Ireland. He still looks up the likes of Mick Lyons (Meath and Ireland full back of the same period). The friendships endure and I think that it's very important."

Australia vice-captain Adam Selwood agreed at training that the dinner would be a good idea. "I think it's good. Irish blokes are always fun guys to meet if we do get the opportunity to meet them. Obviously it's not over a pint of Guinness but maybe over a bottle of Powerade. I'm sure it will be good fun!"

The West Coast Eagles player, who will be on home ground on Friday's first Test at Subiaco Oval, was involved in controversy in 2006 when he opened up Benny Coulter with a shoulder charge and was yellow-carded for the offence. Asked would he like to renew acquaintance with the Down player, Selwood was tentative. "I'm not sure. I'll see if he wants to talk to me. We'll have a couple of friendly words. It's all in the past."