WOMEN'S HOCKEY: England's World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson dropped into Auckland yesterday, but he missed his compatriots in action at the Olympic qualifying tournament where Britain scored a 2-0 win over Ireland.
The result leaves Riet Kuper's squad contemplating a clash with old rivals USA tomorrow in the first of two play-off matches which will ultimately determine whether or not they can book their tickets to Athens.
Wilkinson was taking time out to join Newcastle clubmate Rob Andrew on a talent-spotting mission. His itinerary was being kept a closely-guarded secret although one Irishwoman was in on it.
Former international Judith MacKinnon (nee Chapman) moved to New Zealand nine months ago to join her husband Paul, who was formerly part of the Falcons' backroom staff. The couple had a dinner date with their friends last evening.
The talk hardly centred around Ireland's display earlier in the day in what was a low-key performance following their heroics in holding Germany to a 1-1 draw the previous day.
Barring an unlikely victory in the wake of nine successive defeats by their arch-rivals, Ireland were already destined for fourth place in Pool A.
In contrast, Britain went chasing a hatful of goals to keep alive their slim hopes of automatic qualification.
One could tell by their players' body-language at the final whistle that it had been mission impossible after they breached an heroic Irish defence on only two occasions despite almost incessant pressure.
In the match that followed, we had the unusual scenario of both the German and New Zealand squads celebrating joyously after a 1-1 between the teams enabled them to join Spain and Japan, who had earlier beaten Korea 4-0, on the plane for Athens.
If Ireland are to qualify they will have to take a more circuitous route - they'll have to beat, not only USA, but the winners of the other game, between Britain and Korea, to decide places five-eight in the tournament.
There is, then, a possibility of a rematch of yesterday's contest which was decided by a goal in each half from Anna Bennett (17 minutes) and Jane Smith (65) despite the best efforts of Angela Platt, who was a tower of strength along with Ciara O'Brien in the Irish defence.
Kuper dismissed any notion that the pre-tournament series with tomorrow's opponents in California in January, which resulted in five defeats - three in a test series and two in practice matches - would have any bearing on tomorrow's crucial encounter.
"Those games took place at the very start of our build-up when several players were adapting to new positions and they are irrelevant in the present circumstances," said Kuper.
"I am happy to be playing the USA and not Korea because we are very familiar with them. They have a very good short-corner routine and it will be important to concede as few as possible. But this is a good Irish squad and many of them will be around for several years. It's a game we are capable of winning."
Ireland's most-capped player in Auckland, Hermes' Jenny Burke, who won her 138th cap yesterday, echoed those sentiments, although she sounded a cautionary note.
"Neither myself or Angela (Platt) played much in California due to injury, so it's a different side we have now.
"We hadn't worked too much on defending corners at that stage either. But we will have to limit the supply of ball to Tracey Fuchs as she's very influential both in play and at set-pieces."
USA clinched third place in Pool B yesterday with a 3-0 victory over Spain. Rumour has it, though, that the losers had a bit of a party the previous night to celebrate their qualification for Athens.
IRELAND: A Platt, N Symmons, K Maybin, C O'Brien, F Connery, L Caulfield, B McKeever, J Burke, J McDonough, E Cregan, L McVicker (capt), Subs: N McCaughern, S Beaney, J Orbinson, N King.
