Pacific Islanders
Media Release

Update to 9 November 2006

The Digicel Pacific Islanders trained strongly today after head coach Pat Lam formally announced the team to play Wales. At a well attended press conference Lam declared:

“Selection was the hardest I’ve ever been involved in. I have never coached any of these players before and in a few cases I’ve never even met them

“Despite this I am confident that we have a very good squad to challenge the Welsh on their home turf”

The team trained once again at Llanrumney on a sparkling late autumn day that whilst not the Pacific Islands in springtime was much better than the day before. Forwards mentor Mike Casey said:

“The weather has been very kind to us really and it was great to see the sun shining again after the drizzle of yesterday

“Both backs and forwards have trained very hard and I am impressed with their willingness to adapt and learn in the short time we have been together”.

Meanwhile back at the team’s hotel faxes and emails have been flooding in to wish the Digicel Pacific Islanders all the best for the match on Saturday afternoon.

Backs coach Shane Howarth, a former Welsh international said the interest from the Pacific Islands had been phenomenal:

“We have been truly humbled by the many faxes and emails of support from across the Pacific Islands

“The messages are posted inside the team room and eagerly awaited by the guys – keep them coming please!”