As was reported during the week, two of New Zealand's starting line-up on Saturday had experienced club rugby in Ireland, new cap and centre Aaron Mauger and number eight Scott Robertson. Mauger played for most of a season with Suttonians under-20s, while Robertson enjoyed his time with the Ards club.

However, when Dave Hewett was introduced as a second-half replacement it meant a third New Zealand player on the pitch had played rugby in Ireland previously. Hewett played for UCD in the 1995-'96 season and he capped a fine debut on Saturday with a try, the traditional effort from a prop; the two-yard splash.