WASPS' coach Leo Epifania has more reason than most to complain about the freezing weather conditions sweeping the country.

Having left behind sun-drenched Sydney, Epifania has found himself trying to adapt to life in snow-bound York.

"It's magnificent, just what I've always dreamed of!" he quipped.

"I've gone from Sydney to this - it's like walking into a fridge.

"Seriously, England is a beautiful country, but the weather is just shocking.

"It is affecting the football as well as we've not been able to play, but what can you do?"

Meanwhile, Epifania's attentions in the past few days have been on the fire that has surrounded his home of Sydney.

Fortunately for the Wasps' coach most of his friends and all his relatives - as well as his house - are a fair distance from the worst of it.

He added: "I spoke to my parents just yesterday and they said the air was thick with smoke and there was ash falling in the city centre."

Updated: 12:09 Saturday, January 05, 2002