RUGBY:HAVE you picked your 30-man World Cup squad yet? The deadline for the only one that matters (Declan Kidney's) is Monday, August 22nd – two days after Ireland host France in Dublin and five days before England visit.
The All Blacks kicked up a fuss about the deadline recently as they still have a Tri-Nations fixture against Australia on August 27th.
If a player gets injured from the 22nd onwards all teams, including New Zealand, must wait 48 hours before adding a replacement.
This is to ensure fairness for those travelling from anywhere besides Australia and the Pacific Islands. It also pretty much guarantees three scrumhalves and three hookers in the every squad.