Scrum of the Earth /

Declan Kidney’s named his first Irish squad for a pre-season get together with a sprinkling of youth spread over the tried and tested giants that toured New Zealand and Australia.

The 45 man squad includes 11 members of the Irish Churchill Cup squad as well as Gordon D’Arcy, Andrew Trimble and Leo Cullen, who return from injury.

Kidney said: 'The camp is an opportunity for the coaching staff to work with the players and set some foundations ahead of what is going to be an important November for us.

'We have a new blend of experience in the coaching staff and we felt that this camp would be key to getting the ideas of both the staff and players across ahead of the new season.'

'Once we get into September, it really is a short space of time before we will arrive at our first camp ahead of the November games, so it will be important to our preparation. It is an exciting time and both the coaching staff and myself are looking forward to getting down to business and working with what is a talented squad of players.'

Ireland squad for four-day pre-season training camp:

Neil Best, Rory Best, Isaac Boss, Tommy Bowe, Tony Buckley, Ryan Caldwell, Robert Casey, Tom Court, Leo Cullen, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Ian Dowling, Gavin Duffy, Keith Earls, Stephen Ferris, Luke Fitzgerald, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Marcus Horan, Shane Horgan, Bernard Jackman, Shane Jennings, Robert Kearney, Denis Leamy, Geordan Murphy, Donncha O' Callaghan, Paul O' Connell, Ronan O' Gara, Malcolm O' Kelly, Brian O'Driscoll, Mick O'Driscoll, Tomas O'Leary, Alan Quinlan, Eoin Reddan, Michael Ross, Donncha Ryan, Jonathan Sexton, Peter Stringer, Andrew Trimble, David Wallace, Paddy Wallace,
Roger Wilson, Bryan Young.

Read all about it! 15-year-old weighs in at 33 stone. Hardly the political line we like to take on a Friday, but apart from talking about Posh, Rooney and Boobies, it’s big news in The Sun. Here’s a few other things you can look forward to this weekend…

What you might see?

35 illegal Bolivian immigrants turning up on your front door
David Milliband practicing first Prime Minister’s speech in his bathroom mirror
Rafael Nadal serving up Andy Murray’s arse on a plate
Robbie Deans receiving a hero’s welcome in Auckland
Journalists planning the quickest route out of China

What you won’t see?

People giving a second thought to the Big Brother eviction
Verne Troyer AKA Mini-Me picking fights with females
Michael Vaughan booking his flights to the West Indies for February
Joey Barton becoming the new face of Children In Need
Graham Henry being offered an extension to his New Zealand deal

The food has tasted like dirt, a constant black cloud has lingered over the whole country, and pubs have been empty for folk haven’t even been able to enjoy a beer.

It is times like this you have to forge an allegiance with the cracking empire and lay siege for one last battle.

After all, the All-Blacks are back in the Garden of Eden, the place of new beginnings, and where the Australians have endured 22 years of rugby hell.
 
As if Stirling Mortlock and his band of Wallabies needed any more motivation to dig the knife any deeper.

According to Robbie Deans, they are in better shape than last time out. So god help the All-Blacks.

As form and confidence grows on the gold side of the Tasman, the black half are one win away from meltdown - back to back losses against the enemy and they’ll be paying their own way to South Africa.

The mother of all Rob Andrew reviews leading up to the game has seen new players, new methods and a new attitude.

It couldn’t have been hidden or timed any better. They really are backed up against the wall.

Behind all the drama, Richie McCaw’s return as eternal saviour eases some pressure on the coaching team albeit the weight of a sumo-wrestler rests on his shoulders.

The All-Blacks will be aiming to exploit Rocky Elsom’s absence by cracking it up a gear or two at the breakdown, especially with the dual threat of Phil Waugh and George Smith getting their greedy paws in the ruck.

Graham Henry better have something up his sleeve for rain is guaranteed and Matt Giteau will be punching those high balls over to Richard Kahui with Lote Tuqiri frothing at the mouth in anticipation of breaking a rib or two.

The All-Blacks need to get to grips and face their fear of the scrum and the lineout. Taking the aggressive line with countless tap penalties was not clever and played right into Australia’s hands.

Australia’s strength is the error count. They can mix and match between the tight and loose, belting the ball deep into New Zealand territory and still manage to pile on the pressure. They are just as dangerous without the ball.

Whoever keeps their errors to a minimum and plays smart rugby will win - simple as that.

Lawrence Bruno Nero Dallaglio, once a formidable force of the rugby field, a legend of the oval ball and feared champion of sport.

This might change your mind..

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It was almost too good to be true, but Graham Henry couldn’t resist following his horrible tendencies and chucking in a player out of position.

Disregarded Chiefs centre Richard Kahui has been chosen to replace Leon MacDonald in the All-Blacks XV to face the Wallabies in Auckland.

Australian coach, Robbie Deans was stunned by the decision to pit Kahui up against Lote Tuqiri on the right flank.

“I’m not privy to the detail in terms of who’s available and who’s not and all of those permutations.”

We’ll give you a hand Dingo.

Rudi Wulf and Anthony Tuitavake must be wondering what they’ve done wrong. They’ve been solid if unspectacular, but only Dan Carter has hit the standards.

There are others too, including 2008 Super 14 top try scorer Lelia Masaga or Crusaders wing cum full-back Scott Hamilton - a like for like replacement for MacDonald - but neither gets a look in.

New Zealand fans have been willing to give the All-Blacks coaching regime another go, but conceding Kahui will be “fine” on the wing doesn’t fill you with too much confidence.

No one doubts his talent. He’s had a successful full season at centre and now has only two days to turn himself into a world class wing - against one of the most lethal in the business.

Wings are wings, centres are centres, fly-halves are fly-halves - full stop Graham.