Rugby World Cup for school: It's a hot jiggety final bell

Five-year-old Samantha Smith puts her heart into the Irish jig with her fellow pupils. Photo / Sarah Ivey

While thousands of New Zealand youngsters were waiting for the bell to signal the start of holidays, one Auckland primary school was dancing an Irish jig yesterday for their "second-favourite team" in the Rugby World Cup.

The 660 children of Mt Eden Normal Primary performed the Siege of Ennis in front of enthusiastic parents and staff.

The dance showed support for Ireland, the school's adopted team and "potential winners" before this evening's match against Wales in Wellington.

Niamh Colgan, wife of IRB Anti-Doping manager Tim Ricketts, watched her 5-year-old son Tiger perform in the jig.

"I loved it [the dance]. This is what team spirit is all about.

"My son is the Irish boy in the school. He told all the children to pretend they were dancing on fire to get them jigging."

Principal John Faire said the dance was a great way to end the term.

"I think it was marvellous. They only got outside to practise yesterday. They were pretty much in unison. There's been quite a build-up to today but this week has been the focus."

Associate principal Nick Hill said the children had worked hard to get the dance right.