GOOD DAY

Warren Gatland insisted there were plenty of positives for the tourists to take forward in tougher games after struggling to a narrow opening-game victory against the Provincial Barbarians today.

Warren Gatland’s British & Irish Lions could be about to surprise a few sceptics in New Zealand over the next six weeks.

John Murphy is laughing. He knows how physically big this Carlow side can be considered but then he knows they could be bigger if Sean O’Brien had taken a different playing career path.

Here's your morning news bulletin.

Lions rookie Kyle Sinckler feels like he is in rugby heaven on the eve of his debut in the famous red jersey. Yet his thirst for knowledge may be hell for his teammates.

Johnny Sexton has one game to prove he is a starting British & Irish Lion Test fly-half on this tour to New Zealand and that opportunity comes tomorrow in Whangarei.

Warren Gatland has given his players four games to prove they are worthy of a British & Irish Lions Test place against the All Blacks.

Warren Gatland has thrown down a challenge to his Lions to get the tourists off to a winning start this Saturday after last night naming a strong team to face the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians.

The British and Irish Lions must head to New Zealand without one of the most destructive forwards in world rugby after England number eight Billy Vunipola withdrew from the squad through injury.

He is part of a team — never mind a defence — that has yet to incur a black card this summer.

FIREFIGHTERS have put out a scrub fire near Northland Events Centre in Whangarei where the Rugby World Cup Pool A game between Japan and Tonga was held.

Japan coach John Kirwan admitted Tonga’s physicality had been crucial in his side’s 31-18 World Cup Pool A defeat in Whangarei.

Japan 18 Tonga 31

Ireland's 15-6 victory over Australia has seen them move up two places to sixth in the IRB World Rankings as Australia drop one place to third.

ENGLAND prop Andrew Sheridan and French fly-half David Skrela hobbled home from the World Cup just as Samoa entered the fray with a resounding win and New Zealanders fretted about the back of prized asset Dan Carter.

Tonga 20 Canada 25

International Rugby Board officials are confident that preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand are on track despite the financial uncertainties arising from the current global economic crisis.

EVEN for non-sports enthusiasts, there can be no doubt they know how much the All Blacks rugby brand has done for New Zealand tourism over the years.

A POD of dolphins saved a group of swimmers from a predatory 10-foot great white shark off the northern New Zealand coast, a newspaper reported yesterday.

Singer Daniel Bedingfield was released from a New Zealand hospital today after treatment for neck injuries suffered in a car accident.

Grammy-nominated singer Daniel Bedingfield may remain in New Zealand for several months to recover from injuries he suffered in a car accident.

Grammy-nominated singer Daniel Bedingfield has been injured in a car accident near Whangarei in the north of New Zealand’s North Island, police said today.