All Blacks promise fans ‘a show’

THE All Blacks have vowed to repay fans with an entertaining style of rugby against Ireland after they were mobbed for a second straight day in Taranaki.

An All Blacks fan day at Yarrow Stadium drew an estimated 2,000 people who packed the back grounds as the players held coaching sessions and signed autographs.

Captain Richie McCaw held the tackle bags for some keen youngsters and half the All Blacks squad held a mass coaching clinic for a group of promising U20 players.

It followed on from their welcome at New Plymouth Airport which drew around 200 people and showed the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) got it right by awarding Saturday’s test to Taranaki for just the second time.

“It’s fantastic for us to get the country behind us, especially in these rural areas, before the World Cup,” halfback Jimmy Cowan said. “New Plymouth has set the benchmark, yesterday’s greeting at the airport and again here today with 2000 people.

“The onus is now on us to front and put a good show on for the people who have supported us.”

Saturday’s test was yet to sell out with Taranaki Rugby Union chief executive Mark Robinson saying about 3000 tickets remained available. Extra seating had been installed, boosting the ground’s capacity to 25,500 which would mean the biggest crowd since its redevelopment in 2002. The 2008 test against Samoa, which the All Blacks won 101-14, drew around 21,500.

Meanwhile, Golden Lions forward Heinke van der Merwe has signed a two-year deal with Leinster and will link up with the province in July.

The Springbok international loose-head prop, 25, has made 34 Super 14 appearances and is the son of former Transvaal player, Oupa.

Heinke’s wife Nicole is due to give birth within the next two weeks, so as soon as their child arrives, they will make the move to Ireland.

Van der Merwe said that he is very excited for the move. “We will have a baby and are leaving our home and our country for two years, so amidst all the nerves and tension, we are both very excited. This is an opportunity that has come up, that I certainly couldn’t say no to it.”

Butch James has been included in South Africa’s squad to face France in a one-off Test at Newlands on Saturday, but there was no place for Frans Steyn or Joe van Niekerk in the 27-man list.

Bath back James was due to feature for the Springboks against Wales over the weekend, but he was withdrawn by his English club, who were not obliged to release him for the clash in Cardiff as it fell outside the IRB June playing window.