Compiled by GERRY THORNLEY

All Black knight: Kirwan's knighthood plays well here

NEW ZEALAND'S devotion to the Commonwealth can never be disputed, and as Sky New Zealand (admittedly a feed from Sky Australia) gushed over the 1,000-strong flotilla down the Thames in celebration of the Queen's Jubilee before becoming the Jubilee Channel for the afternoon, John Kirwan's knighthood was understandably big news as it combined the honours list with rugby.

“Arise, Sir JK” was the page one banner headline in the New Zealand Herald alongside a picture of a casually dressed Kirwan in T-shirt and v-neck, after he was one of four new knights and three dames from New Zealand in the Queen’s Birthday honours. The 63-Test former All Blacks winger received his knighthood primarily in recognition of his campaigning work for mental health, specifically depression, after his own candid battle with the latter.

Recalling his decision to accept an invitation to become a spokesperson and figurehead for mental health issues, Kirwan said: “My philosophy all the way through about mental health is that if I can help one person, it will be great.”

Anyone who has even seen him speak articulately and honestly on television ads would assuredly vouch for that. “I’ve accepted the award on behalf of all those people who are suffering, to show there is hope. My main message is that there is always hope, there is always help, there is always a way out of the trouble.”

Kirwan has effectively been in exile for a decade, having had two four-year terms with Italy and Japan, and has been eagerly looking for employment as a head coach since the last World Cup.

To that end, and with a Super 15 job as a stepping stone to his ultimate ambition of working with the All Blacks, he is applying this week for the Auckland Blues job, which is being advertised following a disastrous season under Pat Lam that has left the three-time winners bottom of the standings.

Just Williams: Sonny Bill's form to earn deserved start

UNSURPRISINGLY, STEVE Hansen yesterday hinted that Sonny Bill Williams will start ahead of Ma'a Nonu against Ireland on Saturday, and Nonu himself has accepted a Williams-Conrad Smith partnership is the likeliest midfield combination.

The 30-year-old Nonu, capped 66 times, decamped to Japan in the close-season after the World Cup and has looked a little jaded since linking up with the malfunctioning Auckland Blues after being released by the Wellington Hurricanes.

"We'll just have to wait and see about that," said Hansen in reference to resting Nonu. "We've got another guy [Williams] playing extremely well at the moment so that gives us some really good options."

Ross alert: prop only major worry ahead of first Test

ALTHOUGH Mike Ross took part in Saturday's light run-out, six days after sustaining a grade one hamstring tear, and could be seen walking up and down the stairs at the team hotel at Takapuna beach on the outskirts of Auckland, he took no part in yesterday's session at Onewa Domain, the grounds of Takapuna RFC.

"He remains in some doubt" ahead of Saturday's first Test, admitted manager Mick Kearney, whereas following minor knee surgery, Seán O'Brien had "accelerated his rehab this morning and we're hopeful that he'll be available for selection at the weekend".

Everyone else, he said, was "in good shape".