Rugby Union: Wallace to strengthen Ireland's Lions collection: Injured Hunter prepares for a six-week lay-off from the game
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Your support makes all the difference.RICHARD WALLACE, of Ireland, is to join the British Isles tourists in New Zealand as replacement for Ian Hunter, who dislocated his right shoulder during the Lions' 30-17 defeat of North Auckland in the opening match of the tour.
The announcement was left until last night after the Lions had driven from here to Auckland, where they play North Harbour on Wednesday. The delay was caused by Wallace being in Moscow on business.
The 25-year-old Garryowen wing, who has 10 caps, will bring the Irish representation in the tour party to three. He is due to arrive in time to watch Wednesday's match, when the 15 Lions who did not start against North Auckland will form the team.
Wallace will not be required to play until Wednesday week, when the Lions face Canterbury, an all too painfully familiar territory for him. Against these opponents a year ago he was put out of Ireland's NZ tour by an Andy Earl punch that broke his jaw.
By contrast Hunter's tour ended accidentally when tackling David Manako, the North Auckland left wing, after 38 minutes of Saturday's game. 'It was the most painful thing I've ever done,' Hunter lamented yesterday. His arm will be in a sling for a fortnight and he would not be able to play for six weeks.
The Lions record stands to Stuart Lane, the Wales flanker hurt after 47 seconds of the opening match in South Africa in 1980.
BRITISH ISLES (v North Harbour, Auckland, 26 May): G Hastings (Scotland, capt); I Evans, S Gibbs (Wales), W Carling, T Underwood; R Andrew, D Morris (England); N Popplewell (Ireland), K Milne, P Burnell (Scotland), M Bayfield, W Dooley, M Teague, D Richards, P Winterbottom (England).
Nervous Lions,
Tour matches, page 24
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