Putting a bit of fun first

IF IRELAND captain Brian O’Driscoll was “blown away” by the welcome he and his squad received on their arrival in Queenstown on Thursday, one can only imagine the reaction to both the town and surrounding scenery as they made their way towards their Rugby World Cup base camp by the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

The airport reception, as some 300 people, an eclectic mix of boisterous Irish expats, excited local schoolchildren, civic dignitaries and ceremonial Maori, welcomed Declan Kidney’s squad to NZ’s South Island, had been reciprocated by an equally enthusiastic group of players and management who went way beyond what was expected of them following an arduous 35-hour plus journey from Dublin.

Ireland’s arrival in this resort town set among the dramatic, snow-capped Remarkables mountain range, is a really big deal to the locals, as will be the presence of the Georgia, England and Romania squads later in the month. Queenstown will not be hosting any World Cup matches but they were still able to attract four teams to come and stay here during the biggest event in New Zealand’s history.