Test Digest

A round-up of today's other stories in brief

Carney also faces blacks Test

Eddie O'Sullivan's charges are not the only Irishmen who face a difficult 80 minutes on the pitch this weekend. Brian Carney must address a gargantuan challenge while playing for Britain against New Zealand in the rugby league Test match at Huddersfield.

Carney, vice-captain to the British side and one of the top wings in the league game worldwide, will be hoping for better fortune than the last time he squared up to the six foot, 17 stone Kiwi wing Manu Vatuvei. The latter - a replacement for the injured man mountain that is Lesley Vainikolo - gave Carney a torrid time a fortnight ago when New Zealand prevailed 42-26.

Vatuvei scored one try down Carney's wing and had another two ruled out by the video referee. In fairness to the Irishman he responded by producing a fine performance against Australia in the following match but there can be little doubt Carney will be keen to redress the balance.

"He's not too dissimilar to Vainikolo," said Carney. "One of New Zealand's key strengths is their size and physical presence but you have to cope with that. It's not as if you turn up on the day and are shocked by the fact that they are big men."

There is a curious symmetry in Carney's comments to what will prevail at Lansdowne Road when Ireland take on the All Blacks in the sibling union Test, especially in the references to physique and power. Carney has already said his goodbyes at Wigan where he enjoyed a superb career and will head for Australia after the Tri-Nations series to play with the Newcastle Knights and then the Gold Coast Titans.

New Zealand get first call

There will be no change to the normal schedule for the playing of national anthems prior to Ireland's game against New Zealand at Lansdowne Road tomorrow. God Defend New Zealand will be played first followed by Amhrán na bhFiann and then Ireland's Call with the Haka presumably following.

The Welsh Rugby Union's decision to change the running order at the Millennium Stadium didn't meet with the approval of the New Zealanders, who graciously acquiesced to avoid a scene. They should be a little happier with the arrangements this week.

Incidentally, God Defend New Zealand only became the national anthem of New Zealand in 1977, when it finally replaced God Save the Queen.

The words, written by an Irishman, poet Thomas Bracken, who had emigrated to Otago, were first published in July 1896 as part of a newspaper competition to find a suitable national anthem.

The competition was won by John Joseph Woods of Lawrence, South Otago, who is said to have written the music in a single sitting and God Defend New Zealand had its debut performance at Dunedin's Queen's Theatre on Christmas Day in 1896.

So Ireland gave New Zealand Dave Gallaher, captain of the famous Originals team, and also Thomas Bracken who wrote the words to their national anthem.

In return they have slapped us around in 16 of 17 Test matches.

One win would not be asking a lot considering previous Irish generosity.

Rugby rules in land of long cloud

Just how seriously do New Zealand take their rugby?

Well, a game of rugby was the highest rating television programme in the last 10 years. The country has produced the most current international rugby coaches.

In New Zealand there are more rugby players and more rugby pitches per capita than any other country in the world.

New Zealand is the place where you can get oval-shaped golf balls.

- where the All Blacks captain is generally regarded as holding the highest office in the land.

- where leading racehorses are named after legendary players.

- where every school has access to a five-step learning-based programme.

Eaton rifles to the top

New Zealand second row Jason Eaton, who makes his debut at Lansdowne Road tomorrow, has risen through the ranks with remarkable speed. It was only last year the 23-year-old moved from Manawatu in the second division to Taranaki, but then couldn't break into the top team.

As recently as June, Eaton was only a bench player in Kieran Crowley's unfashionable first division side when they played the touring Lions. But the NPC changed all that and he made giant strides, especially with the injury to captain and fellow lock Paul Tito late in the season.

Eaton's prowess in the air and mobility around the field caught the eye of the national selectors, despite his not having played a minute of Super 12 rugby. "A lot of people will think I haven't been tested just playing one season of NPC, but the coaches have shown faith in my game and that's given me confidence to step up."

Eaton and Ali Williams have lofty tasks to match the efforts of Jack and James Ryan who helped disrupt a crumbling Wales lineout in Cardiff. They oppose Lions Malcolm O'Kelly, a 73-Test veteran, and Donncha O'Callaghan. "I don't really know too much about the Irish guys. They're two experienced older heads and they'll be a challenge but I know I've got the old heads around me."

He's already come a long way in a short time but his education may take a steep learning curve.