Compiled by GAVIN CUMMISKEY
Haka the perfect trigger for Williams
THE giant lock, Ali Williams, was the centre of attention at the New Zealand media gathering on Tuesday. A entertaining and insightful guy, here are his best bits.
"I risk injuring myself every time I get out of bed, or even in bed." - Williams gets so excited at Haka time, that a Kiwi journalist asked if he risked pulling something with all that stretching.
"Originally, I was not scared of it, I just didn't buy into it. Over time we've educated ourselves to what it is and the purpose of it and obviously bought into it in quite a depth and I really require it for my warm up. Yeah, I really do get quite emotional about the whole thing. I enjoy it." Is the haka a trigger for your game? "Yep."
On his opposing locks. "As a pair they are one of the best in the world. As an individual I think Paul is a great man off the field. He is a good sort. We've had a few beers together. On the field they give you everything as well."
"I've played the Irish twice and physically you have to be on your game or they will walk all over you. This one is going to be no different.
"I'm quite excited about the whole thing really. We learn from it, we move on. I don't want to learn again from one of these things."
Wily plans to defeat the enemy
ARRIVED at the Cusack Stand around 9am yesterday to watch the All Blacks captain's run. Traipsed in with a gang of photographers only to be informed the first 10 minutes were out of bounds. We were sent back around the corner.
A rumour spreads that they were practising the Haka on the Croke Park turf. It might have been a silent version. Whether it is ka mate or kapa o pango remains unclear.
Ali Williams (there is a fair bit of him here) told us this week that the decision is made moments before they take the field.
Considering the uniqueness of the occasion (New Zealand may never play in Croke Park again) kapa o pango would be apt. The throat slitting finale is more vicious too!
Statistics add up for Henry
QUESTION: Does the new Irish coaching regime make this task more difficult?
Graham Henry: "Perhaps. Declan has coached for a while and has coached Munster. I've watched Munster play and I would imagine they will play a similar style."
This answer is relayed to Kidney.
Kidney: "Graham is in this line of work a lot longer than I am so it is nice of him to say that. I dunno. I'm obliged to Graham. I think it was about seven or eight years ago when he was in charge of the Lions he was good enough to let me into a few training sessions in Australia.
"Not the meetings but I got to see the training sessions. It's a bit like coming up against your former teacher in lots of ways. He is a good man. His record is excellent. What way we'll play?
"I wouldn't try and describe it. I won't try and bracket it too much. The lads will just go out and play the way they play. It will be up for someone else to bracket it.
"I'm sure Graham was just using his experience there to answer a question, maybe."
Ospreys date with Carter
"I'LL see you in January, mate," said a smiling Dan Carter to former Irish strength and conditioning coach Mike McGurn after the Adidas gig out in Westmanstown on Thursday.
We were scratching our head for a minute until it dawned on us.
Fermanagh native McGurn was in line for a job in New Zealand until the Ospreys hired him last summer.
Who do the Ospreys meet in their penultimate Heineken Cup pool match after Christmas?
Perpignan and their new outhalf, Carter.
It was a strange gathering out in the well-manicured Garda sports centre.
Seán Óg Ó hAilpín could be seen discussing the progress of younger brothers Setanta and Aisake in the AFL with the NZ coaching staff.
Hook injured as Wales struggle
JAMES Hook looks set to miss Wales' Millennium Stadium clash against New Zealand next Saturday after suffering a knee injury during an error-strewn 34-13 victory over Canada.
Ospreys fly-half Hook limped off in the 18th minute, nursing tendon trouble as Wales struggled to subdue a country eight places below them in the IRB world rankings.
Tries by Scarlets full-back Morgan Stoddart and Cardiff Blues wing Leigh Halfpenny gave Wales an unconvincing 10-6 interval lead.
Wales coach Warren Gatland substituted skipper Ryan Jones 10 minutes into the second period. Gatland will clearly recall players like Lee Byrne, Shane Williams, Gethin Jenkins, Alun-Wyn Jones and Martyn Williams for next week's game. Wales made the game safe inside an hour when they were awarded a penalty try that Hook's replacement, Dan Biggar, converted.
SCORERS - Wales: Tries: Stoddart, Halfpenny 2, Penalty 2. Cons: Biggar 3. Pens: Biggar. Canada: Tries: Smith. Cons: Pritchard. Pens: Pritchard 2. Att: 55,000.
