Today’s meeting between New Zealand and South Africa will be their 99th.

Residents of one of the country’s largest inhabited islands have warned of an emerging crisis after power cuts effectively crippled their multi-million euro harbour storm gates.

Almost €18m is to be spent on fishery harbours and the local harbour network.

Cork County Council has been slammed for not giving its seal of approval to pier improvements on Cape Clear for fear of disturbing nearby marine mammals.

Massive storm gates will be installed within weeks to protect an island community which was battered by storms last year.

Had a Happy Isthmus? West Cork’s Cape Clear island is in two solid masses, linked by a narrowed section of land known as an isthmus between its north and south harbours - and that’s where this Cummer home now up for sale is set.

France 19 Ireland 13

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today announced details of a €23m package for the repair of public owned piers, harbours and slipways damaged during the winter storms and for investment in the ongoing development of Ireland’s public harbour network.

More than 100 piers and harbours damaged during the winter storms will share a repair fund of €8.5m.

The Irish are muscling in on French rugby conversation again. Ulster walloping Montpellier at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir last Saturday has catapulted Mark Anscombe’s squad into talk about eventual Heineken Cup winners.

Nkosi sikalel’ iAfrika, which we heard in Dublin six days ago, is basically two songs mingled to make up South Africa’s beautiful national anthem and its status as a unifying number for the Rainbow Nation is confirmed by the five languages used in its delivery.

Ulster 20 Munster 19

ITALY coach Nick Mallett isn’t holding out much hope for victory against Australia tomorrow.

A MINUTE’S silence honouring the dead from the September 11, 2001 terror attacks will be held prior to the United States’ opening World Cup match against Ireland, IRB president Bernard Lapasset has said.

NEXT weekend, the May Bank Holiday, there is to be a Walking-Talking Festival on Cape Clear Island, Oileán Chléire, in Roaring Water Bay in West Cork.

Connacht have captured New Zealand second-row forward Bernie Upton on a two-year contract.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has named seven new players in his 35-man squad for the autumn tour to Hong Kong and Europe.

Joe Rokocoko has been ruled out of New Zealand’s Test series against Ireland and England after undergoing surgery on a wrist injury.

ONCE described by his former North Harbour coach, Allan Pollock, as “a tortured genius” the only anguish Rua Tipoki suffered this week was having to sit through a re-run of Munster’s 10-3 defeat to Leinster last weekend.

NEW ZEALAND Maori inside centre Rua Tipoki could be Munster-bound in time for next season’s Heineken Cup campaign.

Jonah Lomu will make his latest comeback in North Harbour’s club competition this weekend.

IT’S been a punishing three weeks for Gordon D’Arcy and Shane Horgan but Leinster coach Michael Cheika will have few qualms about asking them to don their battle fatigues again against Connacht on Saturday.

CONNACHT coach Michael Bradley has made four changes to the side that lost to a controversial injury-time penalty against the Ospreys for Saturday’s European Challenge Cup tie against Italy’s Armatori Catania.

Luke McAlister is undaunted by the challenge of stepping into New Zealand hero Dan Carter’s boots for the final Test against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday.

Poor form has cost Joe Rokocoko his place in the All Blacks squad to face the British and Irish Lions.

In dramatic surroundings, with the sky darkening and steam rising through the volcanic earth, British and Irish Lions captain Brian O’Driscoll and tour manager Bill Beaumont today accepted the traditional Maori challenge.

EIGHT newcomers have been named by the All Blacks coach Graham Henry in a bold selection policy for the upcoming European tour and a gruelling 2005 season.

THIS is the 25th anniversary of the ill-fated Fastnet yacht race in 1979.