Policeman has the endurance edge

From the Hip

OPINION: Don't try to outrun New Plymouth policeman Jeff McGrath.

McGrath was the third fastest Kiwi male at the Hawaiian Ironman event at the weekend, finishing in a time of nine hours, 24 minutes and 28 seconds.

The two Kiwis ahead of him were both professionals - North Shore's Terenzo Bozzone, who finished 11th, and Auckland's Cameron Brown, who finished 22nd.

It was a remarkable effort by a man who said before he left it would be his last ironman race.

If it truly is, he has gone out on a good note.

WHAT a party it promises to be - the Irish against the All Blacks in New Plymouth next June.

It's a major coup for Taranaki rugby to secure a second test for the city, following the success of hosting Samoa last year.

No doubt the match will be a sell-out long before match day.

Having both teams here in the week leading up to the test will create plenty of interest and plenty of opportunities for fans to get close to their favourite players.

THE pressure is off Oakura surfer Paige Hareb.

She's guaranteed a spot on the 2010 Women's World Tour, dubbed the Dream Tour.

It will be her second year competing with the world's elite female surfers.

It has been a dream year for Hareb, jetting around the world to surf the best breaks and that's set to continue for a few years yet.

With four more events on this year's Dream Tour, Hareb should improve on her current ranking of seven.

IT was cold enough sitting in the grandstands watching Taranaki and Auckland play rugby last Friday night, let alone being out on the field.

A bitter, cold southerly and rain made conditions miserable for everyone, especially the players.

While the forwards were able to dive into a ruck or maul, or pack down in a scrum, the poor old backs had nowhere to hide from the icy blasts.

Word is that afterwards there were plenty of cups of hot tea being dished out as players tried to warm up.

Still probably not enough to take away the chill of Taranaki's 10-0 loss and the end of its hopes of making the Air New Zealand Cup playoffs.

WHAT a turn-around for the Silver Ferns.

A day after being beaten by Australia, the Silver Ferns reversed the result in the inaugural World Series netball semifinals, thumping the Aussies by 10 goals.

Then soon after, the Kiwis beat Jamaica by five to claim the title. My, how things can change in 24 hours.

DON'T be surprised if you drive past New Plymouth's Yarrow Stadium and see some workmen digging up the main ground soon.

The No 1 ground is to be dug up, with new soil and grass being laid to get the field in top shape for the All Blacks test against the Irish next June.

- © Fairfax NZ News