Oliver to miss first test

ALL BLACKS hooker Anton Oliver is out of contention for the first test against the Lions. He has failed to recover from his calf injury and will not play in Christchurch next Saturday.

Tuiali’i is also highly unlikely to play, with the nerve problem in his back still causing problems. Derren Witcombe and Jono Gibbes officially move into the 26, although Gibbes is still battling a foot problem.

All Blacks doctor Graham Patterson said Gibbes will eventually need three months sustained rest but is confident they can manage him through.

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BACK at home the Powerade Conditioning Programme, the first of its kind in rugby union history is now open to all Irish rugby coaches. Certified by the IRFU, the Powerade Conditioning Programme enables Irish coaches to deliver a progressive programme of conditioning to rugby players in Ireland.

Launched yesterday in the University of Limerick by Dr Liam Hennessy, IRFU director of fitness and developer of the Powerade Conditioning Programme, the course is intended to give coaches the confidence and competence to condition rugby players in a safe and enjoyable manner.

The programme is tailored to suit coaches wishing to concentrate on developing player fitness from mini-rugby level through to adult player level.

Dr Hennessy said: “We have piloted this programme for two years and are now delighted that Powerade have come on board to drive this with us. The programme, while the first of its kind, has already impacted on player’s fitness development. We are excited about the potential benefits the course has to offer current and future players based in rugby clubs and rugby- playing schools.”

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IRELAND have made a number of changes to the team that played Samoa on Tuesday for this evening’s IRB U21 clash with South Africa in Argentina. Paul McKenzie comes in on the wing and Daniel Riordan drops to the bench with Mark Kettlye losing his place in the 22 and Gerry Hurley moves down to the bench promoting Cillian Willis to start at No 9.

While they can’t influence what happens elsewhere Ireland will still have one eye on the results from the other matches.

If Ireland can prise a bonus point against South Africa then they could still achieve a place among the middle group of four countries (5-8).

The matches that could affect Ireland are Italy v Samoa; England v France; Argentina v Wales, and Scotland v Canada.

The best case scenario for Ireland is for wins by Samoa, France, and Argentina. But that is out of Ireland’s hands and today it will be all about producing a big performance against one of the giants in U21 rugby.

IRELAND (v South Africa): R McCarron (UCD), P Hurley (UCC), A Trimble(Ballymena), G Stafford (Lansdowne),P Mc Kenzie (Belfast Harlequins),G Steenson (Dungannon) captain, C Willis (UCD); G Maxwell (Dungannon), S Philpott (Saracens), J Andress (Belfast Harlequins), R Noonan (UCC), R Caldwell (Dungannon), K McLaughlin (UCD), C Henry (Malone),S Ferris (Dungannon).

Replacements: J Merrigan (Corinthians), R Loughney (Galwegians), T Richardson (Buccaneers), A Kavanagh (Garryowen),G Hurley (Garryowen), J Sexton (St. Mary’s College), D Riordan (Corinthians).