All Blacks enter unreal world of luxury

Just about every hedonistic pleasure known to man is available at Sun City's 'Palace of the Lost City' hotel.

SUN CITY, South Africa - The All Blacks rugby selectors have some tricky decisions to make this week but nothing compared to those facing their players.

The wave pool, the night safari, the two championship golf courses or the casino?

Fresh from their 45-26 win over the Springboks in Pretoria at the weekend, the All Blacks made the two-hour bus trip to Sun City tourist resort, through the heavily guarded gates and into another world as they prepare for Sunday's (NZ time) return test in nearby Rustenberg.

The drive took them across the barren high veldt, past local townships and roadside vendors selling everything from coathangers to birdseed, into an oasis where no expense is spared and subtlety is low.

Their home for the next week is opulence personified, a spectacular, sprawling hotel called The Palace Of The Lost City where the cheapest suites go for just under $1000.

If you want to splash out, the most lavish room leaves you little change from $10,000.

Incidentally, the South African Rugby Football Union is footing the bill under the standard touring arrangement, and it can only be assumed it is getting a reasonable rate.

Guests arrive to a huge fountain with life-sized figures of cheetahs and springbok, stroll through the 5m-high doors where two guards refuse entry to anyone who can't produce evidence of a booking.

Television cameras are asked not to film inside the hotel with its high ceilings and replica palm trees, luxury bars and dining areas and the crowning glory, the life-size statue of the African elephant in full flight, complete with gold tusks.

Outside there's man-made lakes stocked with rare birds and fish, pools, forests and a tropical beach with perfect surfing waves, electrically generated.

Sun City was the brainchild of billionaire Sol Kerzner which got around the laws of illegal gambling when apartheid still ruled.

Built in the North West province next door to the Pilanesberg National Park, it covers 20ha and contains four hotels, the others well below the level of the All Blacks' lodgings.

Assistant coach Steve Hansen said Sun City was the only suitable accommodation close to the stadium, 40km away at Rustenberg which hosts its first Tri-Nations match.

"The players are seasoned enough to be able to cope with it. . . a hotel's a hotel, once you get over the gee whiz factor when you drive in," he said.

The All Blacks selectors will name their team tomorrow with another raft of around 10 changes likely.

Forwards Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Chris Jack, Jason Eaton, Jerry Collins and Rodney So'oialo should return to the starting side while Byron Kelleher, a fit-again Aaron Mauger, Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett are likely candidates in the backs.

Prop Carl Hayman needs to get through two training sessions to prove his fitness after suffering a head knock against the Wallabies.

But whether utility back Isaia Toeava, 20, is named for his sixth test is another matter after he suffered a case of the dropsies in Pretoria and appearing to still be a touch overawed.

Hansen launched a staunch defence of the quietly-spoken Aucklander.

"He's a young man and there's been a lot of expectations, and that's a lot to carry round," Hansen said.

"He picked himself up from that and played probably his best test match, he defended well and made some good decisions.

"One day he'll be a superstar, I've got no doubt about that.

" The public and the media have to be a bit patient with that, because we're prepared to be.

"We know how good he is, we see it every day at training and glimpses in the games he plays."

The All Blacks got some good news after the departure of four injured players -- Greg Somerville, Chris Masoe, Reuben Thorne and Leon MacDonald -- when lock Ali Williams was cleared by a Sanzar judicial hearing after being cited for punching Springboks lock Johann Muller.

Hansen said some players would be on light duties until Thursday as they play their third test in three weeks, namely stars Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter who were battered and bruised from Sunday's test.

- NZPA