Is loving life at Mill Road

‘Coming into it we didn’t think about the table,’ he insisted. ‘We were thinking it’s a local derby and we need to get a win over here or the rest of the season is tough.

‘Our backs were a bit against the wall after a few losses and so we needed to come back with something. It was tough out there, so to grind out a two-point win - we’ll take it.

‘We pushed them over to the touchline [when Boyne scored their late try].

‘Through the middle they probably would have kicked the conversion, but we made it difficult for them and came through in the end.

‘I’m just trying to have fun. That’s why we play rugby, to have a bit of fun, and it helps to get a win too, even if it’s an ugly one.’

It was handshakes all round at the end of a hard-fought match and both New Zealand natives have nothing but kind words to say about the Irish hospitality they’ve enjoyed.

Twentyman summed it up thus. ‘I’ve been well looked after since I’ve been here. I’ve turned up on the doorstep saying, ‘can I play some rugby’ and they found me work and a place to stay and that sort of thing, and I’ve got friends for life now as well.’

Agreeing, Weber added: ‘The boys look after me a heck of a lot, there’s some nice fam- ilies in the club too and they look after me and my partner, who’s just come over, but it’s a bit cold for me!’

As for the Ireland v All Blacks showdown which was kicking off three hours later, Twentyman didn’t sound too confident as he disappeared into the clubhouse for a shower prior to the trip to the Aviva.

‘Being a Kiwi, I can’t be too cocky,’ he responded. ‘I’m going to the game, so that’ll be interesting. I’ll probably be one of about five All Blacks jerseys in the crowd, but we’ll see how we go.’

Not too well as it turned out - thanks to Louth’s own Rob Kearney and co!