John Muldoon’s tour with Ireland was brought to abrupt end against the All-Blacks when he suffered a broken arm which will keep him out of action until October. In the final diary segment from New Zealand, the Connacht skipper recounts the events of last weekend.

Saturday, game day. Thank god, it's finally arrived. These last few days are among the longest few days I have ever had to endure but thankfully the time has come. We are greeted at breakfast with some mixed news — Brian (O’Driscoll) is fit to play but unfortunately John “The Bull” Hayes is out due to a virus he was unable to shake off. Match days and particularly the morning of, are among the hardest times we endure as professional sports people. The boredom is something cruel (I can hear you think ‘what simple troubles we have’ and you'd be right). They’re filled with box-sets, gossip, movies, walks, coffee, eating, drinking and even more coffee!!

The build-up usually starts with a final review meeting … a recap on the referee, weather conditions and a last look at tactics. Then we go for a walk. We usually play a little game, backs v forwards of course! Lets just leave it at that!!! Then the forwards walk through line-outs, as the “fairies” do what the “fairies” do best.. nothing!!. They chat, gossip, fix each others hair and whatever else they get up too!! After more eating and final preparation, we meet for a final talk with Deccie. Then its ipods at the ready as we head to ground.

After this each player will get into his own personal routine. Walking on the pitch, strapping, stretching, eating (props again) etc, etc. I find this personally a very enjoyable time as the anticipation and nerves start to kick in, even though most players find this the hardest part as they are generally eager to get on with it at this stage.

We were met with a loud roar as we ran onto the pitch for the warm-up and I was surprised at the number of Irish present. The warm-up was quick and snappy and before I noticed we were back in dressing room again. I was lucky enough to earn my first cap in USA/Canada last summer and without sounding disrespectful, as it’s something I will treasure for the rest of my life, but in my eyes this to me felt like my first cap! When I reached for my jersey with New Zealand 12/06/10 embroided on it I got an instant rush of adrenline I couldn't wait to get going. I must admit I really enjoyed facing the haka and its something I'll remember for the rest of my life.

After that there isn't too much of the match worth talking about! We had a horrendous start, Rob Kearney letting the ball slip out of his grasp, Jamie getting sent off, Ronan getting binned and then when I thought it couldn't get any worse I break my forearm. I don't remember too much just that I went to smash one of their lads and he ducked into it and I caught him flush on the head. I knew instantly that I had broken my forearm and my tour was over. Unfortunately we conceded in next few phases and as Doc came over to me I told him my arm was broken. He squeezed my arm and ask me to twist my wrist, the shooting pains came instantly and he diagnosed it immediately. As I walked off the pitch I knew my tour was over and the I’d be out for a few months. This is by far the hardest thing to deal with as a pro athlete (don't mind what i said earlier- — I’d do boredom a million times over to have an intact radius!!) injury is part and parcel of sport but it is a hugely frustrating time. It’s kind of ironic that injury got me this chance and now robbed it from me too!! As I waited in ambulance I managed to ring home to inform them I was alright and I’d see them sooner than expected!!

I was moved to New Plymouth hospital and had my X-rays. They informed me that I would require an operation and that they had sorted Mr Bruce Twaddle, one of the top surgeons in country, to do it in Auckland on Monday. He works with the NZ team and manages all their breaks so I knew I was in good hands. I would sincerely like to thank all the staff in both hospitals who looked after me so well and especially the A&E nurses who picked me up when I was absolutelyy gutted on arrival and also the night nurses in New Plymouth who kept a constant flow of morphine to me when I was in pain (I ain't as tough as you think!!).


This will be my last post as i'll be leaving NZ soon and heading home. It reminds me alot of the video ‘iving with the lions’ back in '97, on their succesful tour of South Africia, when Doddy Weir took a cruel blow to the knee that ended his tour and he had to go home early (co-incidently, I had just taken up rugby and got this as a present and it got me rugby mad!). I know now how he felt that day he realised his tour was over.