2015, what a year that has been, like the All Blacks winning a 3rd Rugby World Cup by going back to back but the whole rugby world is in mourning as Jonah Tali Lomu, becomes the 3rd All Black after Jerry Collins and Norm Berryman to die at the tender age of 40 due to a kidney disorder which affected his life not only because he is rugby's 1st global superstar who made an impact 20 years ago at the 1995 Rugby World Cup and even made a video game about him and the sport which is arguably the best as well as becoming the youngest ever All Black at 19.
Well, life said it ain't easy that the Richie McCaw led All Blacks lifted the William Webb Ellis Trophy by beating the Wallabies in the final to successfully complete the sequel (Which I labeled the game as Judgment Day II, the sequel to Judgment Day as the All Blacks took on South Africa in the semi final) which was the greatest moment of my life compared to the 2011 one when the All Blacks won it on home soil and what about the players like Daniel Carter, Julian Savea, Ma'a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams and Nehe Milner-Skudder (The rookie All Black), they were great awesome players from my All Blacks perspective but the highlight of the 2015 Rugby World Cup was the mighty Japanese led by Kiwi born Michael Leitch (Ayumu Goromaru was the star player for Japan) with that historic World Cup upset victory over the Jean de Villiers led South Africans (With fellow Kiwi born player and super-sub Karne Hesketh scoring the match winning try which turned the whole world upside down) as well as the All Blacks knocking over the Thierry Dusautoir led France 62 - 13 in the Quarter Final similar to Germany's 7 - 1 victory over hosts Brazil in the FIFA World Cup semi-final last year (With Julian Savea getting his 4th hat-trick (He has done it before against Ireland, England & Georgia) of his international rugby career and ending the tournament as the top try scorer with 8 (Equals the record with Springbok Bryan Habana and the now late Jonah Lomu) + Brilliant tries from Brodie Retallick, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read and Tawera Kerr-Barlow who got 2).
And look what we have here, just because Christmas is just around the corner next week because I am looking forward to this not only because The Real Thing is 7 days away.
P.S. New Zealand Indycar racer Scott Dixon has won his 4th Indycar title after winning in Sonoma (It was held just a week after Justin Wilson lost his life in a fatal accident (The 1st driver to die since Dan Wheldon in 2011) in Pocono meaning that the Indycar world was in mourning), heading into the final race of the 2015 season, Dixon was 1 of 6 drivers are having a mathematical chance of winning the championship, Those drivers were Juan Pablo Montoya, Graham Rahal, Scott Dixon, Will Power, Hélio Castroneves, and Josef Newgarden. One of the championship contenders Will Power picks up his 6th pole position of the season, 5th at Sonoma, and his 35th pole of his career. He was followed by the other 4 championship contenders Newgarden (2nd), Montoya (5th), and Rahal (6th). The drivers who aren't in the championship started in the top 6: Ryan Hunter Reay (3rd) and Simon Pagenaud (4th). Other championship contenders Dixon started 9th and Castroneves started 15th. The race ran the 1st 32 laps without a caution until Luca Filippi brought out the first caution when he slowed on the track. The 1st restart came on the 38th lap, it did not take long to get the 2nd caution came on lap 39 when championship leader Juan Pablo Montoya took out his championship rival and teammate Will Power in the 4th turn. The next restart came on the 42nd lap, the 3rd caution came on lap 65 when James Jakes crashed in turn 9. The next to last restart came on the 69th lap. The 4th and last caution came on lap 71 when Jack Hawksworth spun Carlos Muñoz in turn 7. The last restart came on the 73rd lap, late in the race Sebastien Bourdais spun championship contender Graham Rahal in turn 7 and there was no caution for that because Graham Rahal got the car going, Bourdais got a drive thru penalty for avoidable contact.. After the race Rahal got out of his car and went to confront Bourdais. Dixon took his third victory at Sonoma Raceway, third of 2015, and back to back wins at Sonoma Raceway like Will Power did in 2010 and 2011. Scott Dixon has won his 4th championship tying Dario Franchitti, Sébastien Bourdais and Mario Andretti for United States open wheel titles. Dixon was followed by Hunter Reay and Charlie Kimball. Scott Dixon won the tiebreaker over Juan Pablo Montoya because Dixon had more victories, Dixon got his third victory of the season compared to Montoya who has two victories of the 2015 IndyCar season.
Thursday, 17 December 2015
Tuesday, 3 November 2015
Weight Of The Nation II: A True Sequel
Yes, pandemonium here at Twickenham as the #AllBlacks defeated the Wallabies 34 - 17 in the #RugbyWorldCup final and become the 1st team to successfully defend the William Webb Ellis Cup as well as becoming the most successful team in Rugby World Cup history with 3 RWC titles, real drama here (So let's analyze the final moments of the game).
1ST HALF
7TH MINUTE
After a bright start, the All Blacks are in the lead after 1st 5 Daniel Carter (Who is playing on his final outing as a All Black) opens the scoring with a penalty, expertly slotted from out wide like a demoralizing frantic piece of boxes (All Blacks 3 - 0).
6 MINUTES LATER
The 1st scrum of the game barely has a chance to get set before Welsh referee Nigel Owens penalizes Owen Franks. Bernard Foley ties it up from a handy range all perfectly set up by drawing some blood among the venom (all tied up at 3).
NEK MINUTE
Wallaby lock Kane Douglas suffers a knee injury and is replaced by Kiwi born Dean Mumm. The AB's appear to have dodged a similar injury bullet after Kieran Read went down with what looked like a serious ankle injury in the 1st few minutes like hellfire and spawn.
11 MINUTES LATER
This is starting to look grim for Australia with playmaker and backline general Matt Giteau leaving the field after being knocked cold as he is replaced by the mercurial Kurtley Beale who is instrumental by going onto the field of play with prima donna.
NEK MINUTE
Scott Sio, who earlier thumped Dan Carter with a late tackle, is at fault again as a lazy arm catches 2nd 5 Ma'a Allan Nonu (Also playing the famous black jersey for the last time) high as Owens shows admirable restraint in not reaching for his pocket, as there was no malice. Carter puts New Zealand back in the lead with a few getups (All Blacks 6 - 3).
9 MINUTES LATER
Will Genia harries at the base of the breakdown but it comes at a cost as he is caught offside. Carter is on song with the boot like a voodoo doll (All Blacks 9 - 3).
3 MINUTES LATER
A moment of simple training ground magic conjures the 1st try of the final and it is no more than the All Blacks deserve as centre Conrad Smith's nicely angled inside ball momentarily frees halfback Aaron Smith, who looks outside to captain and veteran open side flanker Richard Hugh McCaw (Who is also probably playing last game for the AB's). He has the pleasing task of putting world breakthrough player of the year and fullback turned winger Nehe Milner-Skudder over in the corner as Carter converts from wide and the AB's have a solid halftime lead with a few one-liners (All Blacks 16 - 3)
2ND HALF
41ST MINUTE
Replacement centre Sonny Bill Williams replaces Conrad Smith and is too much to deal with. His 2nd lock stock and 2 smoking barrel ball finds Ma'a Nonu, who is busted free with only Beale coming across in deep cover. Nonu deserves to sidestep him with ease and though Carter misses a fairly easy conversion, with an 18-point buffer, this final looks so good as won like Arcade Fire. (All Blacks 21 - 3)
10 MINUTES LATER
High drama. The Wallabies are stringing some phases altogether and New Zealand are forced to defend their line. Fullback Ben Smith, probably the least likely player to lose his head, tips Toulon winger Drew Mitchell beyond the horizontal. It looks like Ben Smith going to be penalized and nothing else matters, but under pressure from TMO (Television Match Official) Shaun Veldsman of South Africa. Owens takes another look and reaches for the pocket. It is a harsh call, but fair play because it isn't always easy.
NEK MINUTE
From the resultant penalty and lineout drive, the All Blacks pack is splintered and danger man David Pocock breathes life into the final with a simple try as Foley converts like a sack of potatoes with much taste (All Blacks 21 - 10).
11 MINUTES LATER
Genia takes advantage of open turf at the back to neatly box-kick into space as the ball sits nicely for powerhouse centre Tevita Kuridrani, who beats Carter a little too easily on the inside. Foley's conversion means that, having dominated for most of the match, the AB's are left nursing a 4 point buffer like a Swiss army knife (All Blacks 21 - 17).
6 MINUTES LATER
For the 2nd week in a row, the left peg of Carter is the talk of Twickenham. With New Zealand in midfield. Carter feints to run and gets the defensive wall to hesitate for a split second. He uses that time to hit a 40 metre drop goal on the move and wills the ball over in a moment of rare animation with a band of skulls (All Blacks 24 - 17).
5 MINUTES LATER
This is quickly becoming Carter's final. He calmly slots a penalty from near the halfway line as the All Blacks can start to breathe again as the Wallabies require both scores in 6 minutes to switch this on its head and that is unlikely with climate change (All Blacks 27 - 17).
4 MINUTES LATER
Australia are throwing the kitchen sink at this, but the otherwise impressive Mitchell spills the ball in the AB's 22m. Ben Smith turns defence into attack and toes ahead. Replacement utility back Beauden Barrett makes Pocock look like he is running through quick silver as he smoothly motors past, before cushioning the ball with his knee and gleefully collecting the bounce. That final is over and the ball game, but not before Carter (Who was awarded player of the game honours to match his performance with 4 penalties, 2 conversions and a drop goal so the world's leading test points scorer Daniel Carter is probably the man, best rugby player in the world) signs off from international rugby with his right foot conversion, fancy that for a goal-kicker who's done it all (All Blacks 34 - 17).
2 MINUTES LATER
The Wallabies turn the ball over, SBW gets 1 more offload on his stat line and Ben Smith kicks for touch. The Rugby World Cup is still New Zealand's cup. Not only because we are simply still the best in the rugby world, HAIL TO THE KING BABY!!! I'VE GOT BALLS OF STEEL!! (It was the greatest moment of my life seeing/witnessing the All Blacks winning the World Cup just like 4 years ago, so in all of a sudden, enter the unforgiven).
And now, onto the awards ceremony as Australia receive their runner-up medals and then it is the All Blacks time to shine as they collect the prize winning medals before His Royal Highness Prince Harry to present the trophy to Richie McCaw as he is about to lift the William Webb Ellis Trophy, and THE WORLD CUP!! IS STILL IN NEW ZEALAND'S HANDS!!! But so many players in the squad (All 31 of them including 2 injured players and the coach Steve Hansen) have the opportunity of a lifetime to touch the trophy, but now on behalf of all to you, as the All Blacks will defend the cup in Japan 2019 (Although Sonny Bill Williams gave his World Cup winners medal to a young fan which was exciting but now SBW has a spare medal now).
And I like to pay tribute, to the list of World Cup winners spanning from 1987 - 2015
1ST HALF
7TH MINUTE
After a bright start, the All Blacks are in the lead after 1st 5 Daniel Carter (Who is playing on his final outing as a All Black) opens the scoring with a penalty, expertly slotted from out wide like a demoralizing frantic piece of boxes (All Blacks 3 - 0).
6 MINUTES LATER
The 1st scrum of the game barely has a chance to get set before Welsh referee Nigel Owens penalizes Owen Franks. Bernard Foley ties it up from a handy range all perfectly set up by drawing some blood among the venom (all tied up at 3).
NEK MINUTE
Wallaby lock Kane Douglas suffers a knee injury and is replaced by Kiwi born Dean Mumm. The AB's appear to have dodged a similar injury bullet after Kieran Read went down with what looked like a serious ankle injury in the 1st few minutes like hellfire and spawn.
11 MINUTES LATER
This is starting to look grim for Australia with playmaker and backline general Matt Giteau leaving the field after being knocked cold as he is replaced by the mercurial Kurtley Beale who is instrumental by going onto the field of play with prima donna.
NEK MINUTE
Scott Sio, who earlier thumped Dan Carter with a late tackle, is at fault again as a lazy arm catches 2nd 5 Ma'a Allan Nonu (Also playing the famous black jersey for the last time) high as Owens shows admirable restraint in not reaching for his pocket, as there was no malice. Carter puts New Zealand back in the lead with a few getups (All Blacks 6 - 3).
9 MINUTES LATER
Will Genia harries at the base of the breakdown but it comes at a cost as he is caught offside. Carter is on song with the boot like a voodoo doll (All Blacks 9 - 3).
3 MINUTES LATER
A moment of simple training ground magic conjures the 1st try of the final and it is no more than the All Blacks deserve as centre Conrad Smith's nicely angled inside ball momentarily frees halfback Aaron Smith, who looks outside to captain and veteran open side flanker Richard Hugh McCaw (Who is also probably playing last game for the AB's). He has the pleasing task of putting world breakthrough player of the year and fullback turned winger Nehe Milner-Skudder over in the corner as Carter converts from wide and the AB's have a solid halftime lead with a few one-liners (All Blacks 16 - 3)
2ND HALF
41ST MINUTE
Replacement centre Sonny Bill Williams replaces Conrad Smith and is too much to deal with. His 2nd lock stock and 2 smoking barrel ball finds Ma'a Nonu, who is busted free with only Beale coming across in deep cover. Nonu deserves to sidestep him with ease and though Carter misses a fairly easy conversion, with an 18-point buffer, this final looks so good as won like Arcade Fire. (All Blacks 21 - 3)
10 MINUTES LATER
High drama. The Wallabies are stringing some phases altogether and New Zealand are forced to defend their line. Fullback Ben Smith, probably the least likely player to lose his head, tips Toulon winger Drew Mitchell beyond the horizontal. It looks like Ben Smith going to be penalized and nothing else matters, but under pressure from TMO (Television Match Official) Shaun Veldsman of South Africa. Owens takes another look and reaches for the pocket. It is a harsh call, but fair play because it isn't always easy.
NEK MINUTE
From the resultant penalty and lineout drive, the All Blacks pack is splintered and danger man David Pocock breathes life into the final with a simple try as Foley converts like a sack of potatoes with much taste (All Blacks 21 - 10).
11 MINUTES LATER
Genia takes advantage of open turf at the back to neatly box-kick into space as the ball sits nicely for powerhouse centre Tevita Kuridrani, who beats Carter a little too easily on the inside. Foley's conversion means that, having dominated for most of the match, the AB's are left nursing a 4 point buffer like a Swiss army knife (All Blacks 21 - 17).
6 MINUTES LATER
For the 2nd week in a row, the left peg of Carter is the talk of Twickenham. With New Zealand in midfield. Carter feints to run and gets the defensive wall to hesitate for a split second. He uses that time to hit a 40 metre drop goal on the move and wills the ball over in a moment of rare animation with a band of skulls (All Blacks 24 - 17).
5 MINUTES LATER
This is quickly becoming Carter's final. He calmly slots a penalty from near the halfway line as the All Blacks can start to breathe again as the Wallabies require both scores in 6 minutes to switch this on its head and that is unlikely with climate change (All Blacks 27 - 17).
4 MINUTES LATER
Australia are throwing the kitchen sink at this, but the otherwise impressive Mitchell spills the ball in the AB's 22m. Ben Smith turns defence into attack and toes ahead. Replacement utility back Beauden Barrett makes Pocock look like he is running through quick silver as he smoothly motors past, before cushioning the ball with his knee and gleefully collecting the bounce. That final is over and the ball game, but not before Carter (Who was awarded player of the game honours to match his performance with 4 penalties, 2 conversions and a drop goal so the world's leading test points scorer Daniel Carter is probably the man, best rugby player in the world) signs off from international rugby with his right foot conversion, fancy that for a goal-kicker who's done it all (All Blacks 34 - 17).
2 MINUTES LATER
The Wallabies turn the ball over, SBW gets 1 more offload on his stat line and Ben Smith kicks for touch. The Rugby World Cup is still New Zealand's cup. Not only because we are simply still the best in the rugby world, HAIL TO THE KING BABY!!! I'VE GOT BALLS OF STEEL!! (It was the greatest moment of my life seeing/witnessing the All Blacks winning the World Cup just like 4 years ago, so in all of a sudden, enter the unforgiven).
And now, onto the awards ceremony as Australia receive their runner-up medals and then it is the All Blacks time to shine as they collect the prize winning medals before His Royal Highness Prince Harry to present the trophy to Richie McCaw as he is about to lift the William Webb Ellis Trophy, and THE WORLD CUP!! IS STILL IN NEW ZEALAND'S HANDS!!! But so many players in the squad (All 31 of them including 2 injured players and the coach Steve Hansen) have the opportunity of a lifetime to touch the trophy, but now on behalf of all to you, as the All Blacks will defend the cup in Japan 2019 (Although Sonny Bill Williams gave his World Cup winners medal to a young fan which was exciting but now SBW has a spare medal now).
And I like to pay tribute, to the list of World Cup winners spanning from 1987 - 2015
1987: New Zealand
(In 1987, the All Blacks won the inaugural Rugby World Cup.)
(In 1987, the All Blacks won the inaugural Rugby World Cup.)
1991: Australia
1995: South Africa
1999: Australia
2003: England
2007: South Africa
2011: New Zealand
(Despite their dominance in the international game, it was a 24 year wait for their 2nd title.)
(Despite their dominance in the international game, it was a 24 year wait for their 2nd title.)
& last but not least, 2015: New Zealand
(September 10th 2015 the All Blacks flew to London endeavoring to do what no rugby team has done before...).
(September 10th 2015 the All Blacks flew to London endeavoring to do what no rugby team has done before...).
Sunday, 25 October 2015
#2015RugbyWorldCupFinal Preview
Well, the #AllBlacks Rugby World Cup campaign started with a win over Argentina 26 - 16 with tries scored by Aaron Smith (The Luke Ronchi of rugby) and Sam Cane as well as Daniel Carter (The Daniel Vettori/Shaun Johnson of rugby union) landing both conversions and 4 penalties (Although Captain Richie McCaw (The Brendon McCullum/Simon Mannering of rugby union) and Conrad Smith (The Trent Boult of rugby union) were both sent to the bin for tripping and an illegal turnover respectively).
And after the Argentina win, Sam Cane led the charge against Namibia winning 58 - 14 (The try scorers were Victor Vito, Nehe Milner-Skudder (Who got it twice), Malakai Fekitoa, Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea (The Martin Guptill/Manu Vatuvei of rugby union, who also dotted it down twice), Ben Smith (The Grant Elliott of rugby) & Codie Taylor) before facing Georgia with Waisake Naholo scoring the opening try as well as Savea who got a hat-trick of tries, Dane Coles, Kieran Read (The Kane Williamson of rugby) and Fekitoa were the try scorers (Although Dan Carter got 4 conversions) but the man of the match award went to Mamuka Gorgodze who played well.
And then, the AB's played their final pool game against Tonga over in Newcastle with Ben Smith scoring a try along with Tony Woodcock (His World Cup was over after he injured his hamstring effectively ending his rugby career), Milner-Skudder (Who got a brace), Sonny Bill Williams (The Ross Taylor of rugby), Sam Cane & Ma'a Nonu (The Tim Southee of rugby union) in his 100th test with Dan Carter kicking 6 conversions.
But the All Blacks faced a uphill quarterfinal challenge with France as lock Brodie Retallick (The Corey Anderson of rugby) opened the scoring with a try from a charge-down off Frederic Michalak followed by Nehe Milner-Skudder but he was injured so he was declared fit for the next game, then Savea scoring 3 brilliant, absolutely brilliant tries to earn another hat-trick, then it was Jerome Kaino, then Read and Tawera Kerr-Barlow who got a brace as well as Daniel Carter picked up 7 conversions and a penalty (Not only because that match, was the largest winning margin in a RWC knockout-stage game as well as the 9 tries scored by New Zealand is the most scored by one team in a RWC knockout-stage game).
And then, it is semifinal time (I label that game as Judgment Day) as the AB's took on the Springboks (Who had lost to Japan in an historic upset) were they were comprehensively won 20 - 18 by going through to the World Cup final in an attempt to go back to back with tries scored by both Kaino (Who got yellow carded along with Bryan Habana) and Barrett with Dan Carter landing 2 conversions, 1 single penalty and a drop goal while Handre Pollard- landed 5 penalties compared to Patrick/Pat Lambie's 1.
And so then for the #Wallabies (Led by the Michael Clarke/Cameron Smith of rugby union, Stephen Moore) as their RWC started with a win over Fiji 28 - 13 with tries by the dangerous David Pocock (The Mitchell Starc/Johnathan Thurston of rugby union) who got a brace and loosehead prop Sekope Kepu with Bernard 'Iceman' Foley (The Steve Smith of rugby) landing 2 conversions and 3 penalties.
And after the Fiji win, Dean Mumm led the charge against Uruguay winning 65 - 3 (The try scorers were the young 21 year old flamboyant Sean McMahon (Who dotted it down twice), Joe Tomane, Henry Speight, Ben McCalman (Who also dotted it down twice with Tomane and Drew Mitchell (The Shane Watson of rugby), Matt Toomua and Tevita Kuridrani (Quade Cooper nailed 5 conversions out of 11) before facing the hosts England because they were in all sorts of trouble after losing to Wales so the English needed to win to stay in the hunt but they didn't, losing the game by 20 points (33 - 13 was the score, ensuring/meaning that England are out of the World cup on their own) with tries scored by Foley who picked up 2 and Matt Giteau.
And then, Australia played their final pool game against Wales to decide who will top Pool A but the real winner went to the Wallabies (They were without Michael Hooper (The Mitchell Johnson of rugby) due to suspension for a dangerous cleanout in a ruck during the England game) as they lost Will Genia and Mumm due to yellow card offences but they showed their class as the Wallabies had one of their best defences in the history of the tournament not only because Australia is widely regarded as the best defence (Best D) in the competition eventually winning 15 - 6 by advancing to the quarterfinals by topping Pool A.
And then for the quarterfinals, Australia accepted their quarterfinal challenge against Scotland winning by a single point (35 - 34) but the match will be remembered when referee Craig Joubert controversially awarded a penalty to the Wallabies for going in front which cost Scotland the game but he should've awarded the scrum after an original knock-on.
But things have settled down as they clashed with Argentina in the semifinals but a Adam Ashley-Cooper (The David Warner of rugby) hat-trick sets up an all important 1st ever Trans-Tasman final (Although this scenario is going to be like the Cricket World Cup) ensuring Australia have won the game 29 - 15.
And yes, the very 1st time ever there will be a Trans-Tasman Rugby World Cup final which will be occurred between 2 heavyweights of the rugby world, the All Black of New Zealand up against the green and gold of the Wallabies, so uh, which will it be? (And who will strike, their name across, rugby history?)
P.S. SPOILER ALERT! I REPEAT, SPOILER ALERT!!! McCaw is free to play in the Rugby World Cup final because their have been no citings so far that videos suggested that McCaw struck Springbok blindside flanker Francois Louw with the elbow but it was an accident according to the slow-mo replay.
#NZLVSAUS, BRINGING RUGBY WORLD CUP HOME
And after the Argentina win, Sam Cane led the charge against Namibia winning 58 - 14 (The try scorers were Victor Vito, Nehe Milner-Skudder (Who got it twice), Malakai Fekitoa, Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea (The Martin Guptill/Manu Vatuvei of rugby union, who also dotted it down twice), Ben Smith (The Grant Elliott of rugby) & Codie Taylor) before facing Georgia with Waisake Naholo scoring the opening try as well as Savea who got a hat-trick of tries, Dane Coles, Kieran Read (The Kane Williamson of rugby) and Fekitoa were the try scorers (Although Dan Carter got 4 conversions) but the man of the match award went to Mamuka Gorgodze who played well.
And then, the AB's played their final pool game against Tonga over in Newcastle with Ben Smith scoring a try along with Tony Woodcock (His World Cup was over after he injured his hamstring effectively ending his rugby career), Milner-Skudder (Who got a brace), Sonny Bill Williams (The Ross Taylor of rugby), Sam Cane & Ma'a Nonu (The Tim Southee of rugby union) in his 100th test with Dan Carter kicking 6 conversions.
But the All Blacks faced a uphill quarterfinal challenge with France as lock Brodie Retallick (The Corey Anderson of rugby) opened the scoring with a try from a charge-down off Frederic Michalak followed by Nehe Milner-Skudder but he was injured so he was declared fit for the next game, then Savea scoring 3 brilliant, absolutely brilliant tries to earn another hat-trick, then it was Jerome Kaino, then Read and Tawera Kerr-Barlow who got a brace as well as Daniel Carter picked up 7 conversions and a penalty (Not only because that match, was the largest winning margin in a RWC knockout-stage game as well as the 9 tries scored by New Zealand is the most scored by one team in a RWC knockout-stage game).
And then, it is semifinal time (I label that game as Judgment Day) as the AB's took on the Springboks (Who had lost to Japan in an historic upset) were they were comprehensively won 20 - 18 by going through to the World Cup final in an attempt to go back to back with tries scored by both Kaino (Who got yellow carded along with Bryan Habana) and Barrett with Dan Carter landing 2 conversions, 1 single penalty and a drop goal while Handre Pollard- landed 5 penalties compared to Patrick/Pat Lambie's 1.
And so then for the #Wallabies (Led by the Michael Clarke/Cameron Smith of rugby union, Stephen Moore) as their RWC started with a win over Fiji 28 - 13 with tries by the dangerous David Pocock (The Mitchell Starc/Johnathan Thurston of rugby union) who got a brace and loosehead prop Sekope Kepu with Bernard 'Iceman' Foley (The Steve Smith of rugby) landing 2 conversions and 3 penalties.
And after the Fiji win, Dean Mumm led the charge against Uruguay winning 65 - 3 (The try scorers were the young 21 year old flamboyant Sean McMahon (Who dotted it down twice), Joe Tomane, Henry Speight, Ben McCalman (Who also dotted it down twice with Tomane and Drew Mitchell (The Shane Watson of rugby), Matt Toomua and Tevita Kuridrani (Quade Cooper nailed 5 conversions out of 11) before facing the hosts England because they were in all sorts of trouble after losing to Wales so the English needed to win to stay in the hunt but they didn't, losing the game by 20 points (33 - 13 was the score, ensuring/meaning that England are out of the World cup on their own) with tries scored by Foley who picked up 2 and Matt Giteau.
And then, Australia played their final pool game against Wales to decide who will top Pool A but the real winner went to the Wallabies (They were without Michael Hooper (The Mitchell Johnson of rugby) due to suspension for a dangerous cleanout in a ruck during the England game) as they lost Will Genia and Mumm due to yellow card offences but they showed their class as the Wallabies had one of their best defences in the history of the tournament not only because Australia is widely regarded as the best defence (Best D) in the competition eventually winning 15 - 6 by advancing to the quarterfinals by topping Pool A.
And then for the quarterfinals, Australia accepted their quarterfinal challenge against Scotland winning by a single point (35 - 34) but the match will be remembered when referee Craig Joubert controversially awarded a penalty to the Wallabies for going in front which cost Scotland the game but he should've awarded the scrum after an original knock-on.
But things have settled down as they clashed with Argentina in the semifinals but a Adam Ashley-Cooper (The David Warner of rugby) hat-trick sets up an all important 1st ever Trans-Tasman final (Although this scenario is going to be like the Cricket World Cup) ensuring Australia have won the game 29 - 15.
And yes, the very 1st time ever there will be a Trans-Tasman Rugby World Cup final which will be occurred between 2 heavyweights of the rugby world, the All Black of New Zealand up against the green and gold of the Wallabies, so uh, which will it be? (And who will strike, their name across, rugby history?)
P.S. SPOILER ALERT! I REPEAT, SPOILER ALERT!!! McCaw is free to play in the Rugby World Cup final because their have been no citings so far that videos suggested that McCaw struck Springbok blindside flanker Francois Louw with the elbow but it was an accident according to the slow-mo replay.
#NZLVSAUS, BRINGING RUGBY WORLD CUP HOME
Saturday, 24 October 2015
2015 Rugby World Cup Round Up (Shortest & quickest blog ever made)
So this is it, the All Blacks have made it through to the World Cup final beating South Africa by 2 points (I was worried that New Zealand were going to lose but I only watched the 1st half but I wasn't interested watching the 2nd half so I was more interested of watching the game if the All Blacks led) but the biggest highlight of the tournament was Japan beating South Africa 34 - 32 in a memorable but historic upset in RWC history which turned the whole world upside down & England getting knocked out of the Rugby World Cup on their home turf after losses against both Wales & the Wallabies meaning that they failed to qualify to the quarterfinals (Although they both beat Fiji & Uruguay in the pool games but both losses sent them packing) as well as the All Blacks thrashing the French 62 - 13 in the quarter finals (With Julian Savea bagging 3 tries) but who will take on New Zealand, will it be Argentina or Australia, you be the judge.
P.S. I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way
P.S. I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way
Friday, 18 September 2015
Breaking Dawn: The 2015 Rugby World Cup preview
Well, it is finally here after 4 long years, the 2015 Rugby World Cup...now in this blog, I'll preview about the upcoming 2015 Rugby World Cup being held in England as well as telling the history of both Rugby and previous World Cups.
But 1st off, it is #rugbyworldcup fever time in #england as it plays host to this years tournament so I will give you the full rundown on all the 20 teams competing in the Pools:
Pool A: Australia/Wallabies (Rugby Championship winners of 2015 led by the incomparable hooker Stephen Moore and coached by the highly controversial Michael Cheika), England (The hosts captained by Chris Robshaw with Stuart Lancaster being the coach), Wales (Sam Warburton is the captain while New Zealander Warren Gatland is the coach), Fiji (Crusaders star player Nemani Nadolo is the danger man) & Uruguay (Who hasn't been competing at the World Cup since 2003)
Pool B: South Africa/Springboks (Led by the influential Jean de Villiers & coached by Heyneke Meyer), Samoa (Featuring Chiefs player & Sonny Bill Williams cousin, Tim Nanai-Williams), Scotland (Also featuring NZ born player Sean Maitland coached by Big Vern Cotter), Japan (And also featuring halfback Fumiaki Tanaka who plays for the Highlanders as well as the team being coached by Australian Eddie Jones because he is of Japanese descent) & the United States (Chris Wyles is the skipper)
Pool C: New Zealand/All Blacks (Defending world champions led by World Cup Winner Richie McCaw and coached by Steve Hansen who took over from Sir Graham 'Ted' Henry), Argentina (Captained by Agustin Creevy), Tonga (Nili Latu is the captain), Georgia (Led by Mamuka Gorgodze) & Namibia (Jacques Burger is the skipper)
Pool D: France (Led by Thierry Dusautoir and coached by Philippe Saint-Andre), Ireland (Six Nations Champions captained by Paul O'Connell with another New Zealander Joe Schmidt being the coach), Italy (Sergio Parisse is the captain), Canada (Led by Tyler Ardron and coached by ex All Black Kieran Crowley) & Romania (Mihai Macovei is the skipper).
And who is going to win it? We will find it out, once the tournament's over before we know it, but all will be revealed.
And yes the game was indeed invented by William Webb Ellis the great who invented the game by picking up and ran the ball with it because it was against the rules in football/soccer so a new sport was created way back then.
The 1st World Cup was held back in 1987 with the All Blacks dominated the tournament in which they beat Italy (Including that all time great try from John Kirwan as well as Michael Jones scoring the 1st genuine try of the World Cup because the very 1st try of the World Cup was a penalty try), Fiji and Argentina in the pool games before taking on Scotland in the quarterfinals in which they won and Wales in the semifinals (Huw Richards got sent off for throwing that punch before Wayne 'Buck' Shelford threw a punch on Richards which went unpunished) before clashing with traditional rivals France (Who beat Australia with a desperate last minute try scored by Serge Blanco) in the final moments before New Zealand beat France 29 - 9 (With some great tries being scored by captain David Kirk as well as Kirwan) to win the very 1st ever Rugby World Cup title with Kirk lifting the World Cup title as seen on national television.
And then in 1991 (The year that I was born), the All Blacks world cup curse had begun, losing to eventual champions Australia in the semifinal who beat hosts England in the final...then in 1995, disaster struck as New Zealand (Which featured rugby's 1st global superstar, Jonah Lomu) failed to regain the crown (With several players fell victim to food poisoning with the exception of captain Sean Fitzpatrick and the Brooke brothers of Robin & Zinzan), losing to debutants and hosts South Africa in the final in which united the host country as well as their leader Nelson Mandela, but in 1999, the All Blacks took on rivals and eventual runners up France (Who lost to the eventual champions Australia) in the semifinal but nek minute, they were torn sky blast apart from the French who enjoyed an insane amount of rugby during the 2nd half and then in 2003, something went wrong for the All Blacks during the semifinals as Stirling Mortlock's intercept try for the Wallabies ended New Zealand's hopes of reaching the World Cup final, which was won by England and in 2007 during the quarterfinals, France terminated the All Blacks dream of winning the World Cup just like as it was repeating the heroics way back in '99 through a blatant forward pass not seen by English referee Wayne Barnes (Although South Africa won the tourney beating England in the final).
And so on in 2011, the All Blacks opened with a win over the kingdom of Tonga (Who hijacked us at the start) at Eden Park in Auckland (41 - 10) followed by Japan at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton 83 - 7 (The night before the mighty green throng of Ireland turned the tables on Australia, causing an upset), then France in Auckland (37 - 17) with captain Richie McCaw becoming the 1st All Black to reach 100 test caps followed by beating Canada at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington 79 - 15 (The day after Tonga providing another upset victory over France as well as Dan Carter, who was ruled out of the tournament altogether with a groin injury), then it is quarter final time as we scraped Argentina 33 - 10 in Auckland (Although Colin Slade suffered an injury similar to Dan Carter's), then finally beating against our traditional Trans Tasman rivals Australia (Who defeated South Africa in the quarter final which was better off forgotten) in the semifinal 20 - 6 (It was the night after the French flair titans (Who gave England the chop in the quarterfinal) defeated the Welsh (Who had beaten the mighty green throng in the quarters) in the other semifinal in which Sam Warburton got sent off for that famous spear tackle) before we once again took on France in the final, just as it was back in 1987, with the weight of the nation above our shoulders (Although Stephen 'Beaver' Donald was called up in the last minute whilst he was white baiting, YA GOT THAT!! WHITEBAITING), we have won us the CUP!!! HAIL TO THE KING BABY!!! I'VE GOT BALLS OF STEEL!!! And yeah, not only that we have ended our Rugby World Cup curse after 24 years of agony and pain, as if, not ONLY we beat France 8 - 7, we have managed to lift the World Cup trophy, not only because it is the greatest moment of my life.
P.S. England has just opened up their RWC campaign with a win over Fiji 35 - 11 with fullback Mike Brown claiming man of the match honours as well as the All Blacks had already named their team to play against Argentina in our bid to retain the William Webb Ellis trophy with several players making their World Cup debut in the starting lineup including hooker Dane Coles, lock Brodie Retallick, halfback Aaron Smith, wingers Julian Savea & Nehe Milner-Skudder & fullback Ben Smith. And on the bench is props Wyatt Crockett & Charlie Faumuina, openside flanker Sam Cane, halfback TJ Perenara & 1st five eighth Beauden Barrett.
But 1st off, it is #rugbyworldcup fever time in #england as it plays host to this years tournament so I will give you the full rundown on all the 20 teams competing in the Pools:
Pool A: Australia/Wallabies (Rugby Championship winners of 2015 led by the incomparable hooker Stephen Moore and coached by the highly controversial Michael Cheika), England (The hosts captained by Chris Robshaw with Stuart Lancaster being the coach), Wales (Sam Warburton is the captain while New Zealander Warren Gatland is the coach), Fiji (Crusaders star player Nemani Nadolo is the danger man) & Uruguay (Who hasn't been competing at the World Cup since 2003)
Pool B: South Africa/Springboks (Led by the influential Jean de Villiers & coached by Heyneke Meyer), Samoa (Featuring Chiefs player & Sonny Bill Williams cousin, Tim Nanai-Williams), Scotland (Also featuring NZ born player Sean Maitland coached by Big Vern Cotter), Japan (And also featuring halfback Fumiaki Tanaka who plays for the Highlanders as well as the team being coached by Australian Eddie Jones because he is of Japanese descent) & the United States (Chris Wyles is the skipper)
Pool C: New Zealand/All Blacks (Defending world champions led by World Cup Winner Richie McCaw and coached by Steve Hansen who took over from Sir Graham 'Ted' Henry), Argentina (Captained by Agustin Creevy), Tonga (Nili Latu is the captain), Georgia (Led by Mamuka Gorgodze) & Namibia (Jacques Burger is the skipper)
Pool D: France (Led by Thierry Dusautoir and coached by Philippe Saint-Andre), Ireland (Six Nations Champions captained by Paul O'Connell with another New Zealander Joe Schmidt being the coach), Italy (Sergio Parisse is the captain), Canada (Led by Tyler Ardron and coached by ex All Black Kieran Crowley) & Romania (Mihai Macovei is the skipper).
And who is going to win it? We will find it out, once the tournament's over before we know it, but all will be revealed.
And yes the game was indeed invented by William Webb Ellis the great who invented the game by picking up and ran the ball with it because it was against the rules in football/soccer so a new sport was created way back then.
The 1st World Cup was held back in 1987 with the All Blacks dominated the tournament in which they beat Italy (Including that all time great try from John Kirwan as well as Michael Jones scoring the 1st genuine try of the World Cup because the very 1st try of the World Cup was a penalty try), Fiji and Argentina in the pool games before taking on Scotland in the quarterfinals in which they won and Wales in the semifinals (Huw Richards got sent off for throwing that punch before Wayne 'Buck' Shelford threw a punch on Richards which went unpunished) before clashing with traditional rivals France (Who beat Australia with a desperate last minute try scored by Serge Blanco) in the final moments before New Zealand beat France 29 - 9 (With some great tries being scored by captain David Kirk as well as Kirwan) to win the very 1st ever Rugby World Cup title with Kirk lifting the World Cup title as seen on national television.
And then in 1991 (The year that I was born), the All Blacks world cup curse had begun, losing to eventual champions Australia in the semifinal who beat hosts England in the final...then in 1995, disaster struck as New Zealand (Which featured rugby's 1st global superstar, Jonah Lomu) failed to regain the crown (With several players fell victim to food poisoning with the exception of captain Sean Fitzpatrick and the Brooke brothers of Robin & Zinzan), losing to debutants and hosts South Africa in the final in which united the host country as well as their leader Nelson Mandela, but in 1999, the All Blacks took on rivals and eventual runners up France (Who lost to the eventual champions Australia) in the semifinal but nek minute, they were torn sky blast apart from the French who enjoyed an insane amount of rugby during the 2nd half and then in 2003, something went wrong for the All Blacks during the semifinals as Stirling Mortlock's intercept try for the Wallabies ended New Zealand's hopes of reaching the World Cup final, which was won by England and in 2007 during the quarterfinals, France terminated the All Blacks dream of winning the World Cup just like as it was repeating the heroics way back in '99 through a blatant forward pass not seen by English referee Wayne Barnes (Although South Africa won the tourney beating England in the final).
And so on in 2011, the All Blacks opened with a win over the kingdom of Tonga (Who hijacked us at the start) at Eden Park in Auckland (41 - 10) followed by Japan at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton 83 - 7 (The night before the mighty green throng of Ireland turned the tables on Australia, causing an upset), then France in Auckland (37 - 17) with captain Richie McCaw becoming the 1st All Black to reach 100 test caps followed by beating Canada at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington 79 - 15 (The day after Tonga providing another upset victory over France as well as Dan Carter, who was ruled out of the tournament altogether with a groin injury), then it is quarter final time as we scraped Argentina 33 - 10 in Auckland (Although Colin Slade suffered an injury similar to Dan Carter's), then finally beating against our traditional Trans Tasman rivals Australia (Who defeated South Africa in the quarter final which was better off forgotten) in the semifinal 20 - 6 (It was the night after the French flair titans (Who gave England the chop in the quarterfinal) defeated the Welsh (Who had beaten the mighty green throng in the quarters) in the other semifinal in which Sam Warburton got sent off for that famous spear tackle) before we once again took on France in the final, just as it was back in 1987, with the weight of the nation above our shoulders (Although Stephen 'Beaver' Donald was called up in the last minute whilst he was white baiting, YA GOT THAT!! WHITEBAITING), we have won us the CUP!!! HAIL TO THE KING BABY!!! I'VE GOT BALLS OF STEEL!!! And yeah, not only that we have ended our Rugby World Cup curse after 24 years of agony and pain, as if, not ONLY we beat France 8 - 7, we have managed to lift the World Cup trophy, not only because it is the greatest moment of my life.
P.S. England has just opened up their RWC campaign with a win over Fiji 35 - 11 with fullback Mike Brown claiming man of the match honours as well as the All Blacks had already named their team to play against Argentina in our bid to retain the William Webb Ellis trophy with several players making their World Cup debut in the starting lineup including hooker Dane Coles, lock Brodie Retallick, halfback Aaron Smith, wingers Julian Savea & Nehe Milner-Skudder & fullback Ben Smith. And on the bench is props Wyatt Crockett & Charlie Faumuina, openside flanker Sam Cane, halfback TJ Perenara & 1st five eighth Beauden Barrett.
Monday, 27 July 2015
All Blacks Stories V: Taking On the World (+ Super Rugby final review)
The All Blacks road to the 2015 Rugby World Cup begins with a test against Samoa in Apia and won comprehensively 25 - 16 just days after the Super Rugby final when the Highlanders became the eighth team to win a Super Rugby title, beating my beloved Hurricanes that I was so disappointed, 21 - 14 (Including that game winning drop goal scored by Highlanders first five Marty Banks which proved to be the turning point).
And yes I was at Uncle Bryan's watching the Samoa - All Blacks test there so in all of a sudden, Nan and Pops took me there to watch the game and after the game, we went and had dinner at Breakers Café and Bar where I had a burrito there but 1 week later, I returned but this time I had the monster burger before our quiz started and I did enjoy that experience, then the next morning, Jansen and I went to the splash center before we were going to kebabholik but it was closed so we went to Jabies Doner Kebab instead for lunch and I also did enjoy that experience but the rest is history here and now.
And the next morning, I made 4 meals in all of a sudden such as pumpkin soup, curry, pasta/stir fry combination and a bacon and egg pie.
And then, the rugby was on as the All Blacks comfortably beat Argentina 39 - 18 in the Rugby Championship opener with Waisake Naholo and Codie Taylor (Who scored on debut + other try scorers including captain Richie McCaw, veteran Ma'a Nonu, experienced number 8 Kieran Read and winger Charles Piutau) making their test debuts but unfortunately for Naholo as he picked up a broken leg, ruling him out of the World Cup.
And then a week later (On Thursday I had scotch eggs with salad for a memorable lunch at Nan & Pops), the All Blacks faced the Springboks at Ellis Park (Making their test debuts for the All Blacks are James Broadhurst & Lima Sopoaga (Sopoaga's test debut was quite memorable) in which they won comfortably 27 - 20 (With tries scored by Ben Smith, Dane Coles & Richie McCaw who provided the match winner) but I had to switch off after the 70th minute because I was worried we were going to lose this game but no, we instead won with All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw scoring an all important match winning try (Which I thought that it was an illegal manuever).
So tonight's dinner will be pasta made yesterday by myself.
And yes I was at Uncle Bryan's watching the Samoa - All Blacks test there so in all of a sudden, Nan and Pops took me there to watch the game and after the game, we went and had dinner at Breakers Café and Bar where I had a burrito there but 1 week later, I returned but this time I had the monster burger before our quiz started and I did enjoy that experience, then the next morning, Jansen and I went to the splash center before we were going to kebabholik but it was closed so we went to Jabies Doner Kebab instead for lunch and I also did enjoy that experience but the rest is history here and now.
And the next morning, I made 4 meals in all of a sudden such as pumpkin soup, curry, pasta/stir fry combination and a bacon and egg pie.
And then, the rugby was on as the All Blacks comfortably beat Argentina 39 - 18 in the Rugby Championship opener with Waisake Naholo and Codie Taylor (Who scored on debut + other try scorers including captain Richie McCaw, veteran Ma'a Nonu, experienced number 8 Kieran Read and winger Charles Piutau) making their test debuts but unfortunately for Naholo as he picked up a broken leg, ruling him out of the World Cup.
And then a week later (On Thursday I had scotch eggs with salad for a memorable lunch at Nan & Pops), the All Blacks faced the Springboks at Ellis Park (Making their test debuts for the All Blacks are James Broadhurst & Lima Sopoaga (Sopoaga's test debut was quite memorable) in which they won comfortably 27 - 20 (With tries scored by Ben Smith, Dane Coles & Richie McCaw who provided the match winner) but I had to switch off after the 70th minute because I was worried we were going to lose this game but no, we instead won with All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw scoring an all important match winning try (Which I thought that it was an illegal manuever).
So tonight's dinner will be pasta made yesterday by myself.
Friday, 19 June 2015
Thunderstruck: The Coromandel Trip Review
So, after missing out on bringing home the Cricket World Cup against the Aussies (Who had Australian pace bowler Mitchell Starc (Known as the modern day version of famous Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram & an apparent heir of Brett Lee (Who was Australia's fastest bowler since the good old days of Dennis Lillee & Geoff Thomson) because Starc knows how to bowl that fast) easily bowled New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum out which proved to be the game changer of the final (And I mean what went wrong for New Zealand to lose a final like this? Because of Starc knocking over Baz with the match ended in a one sided affair therefore that goes to say that the Cricket World Cup returns to Australia (After India (They beat Australia in the quarterfinal, traditional rivals Pakistan in the semifinal & Sri Lanka in the final then 4 years later they qualified on top of Group B but they easily beat Bangladesh (Who famously beat England in Adelaide to book a place in the quarterfinal) in the quarterfinal in Melbourne before losing to the eventual champions Australia in the semifinal in Sydney) won it in 2011 (4 years after Australia last won the Cricket World Cup way back in 2007) against Sri Lanka in the final with a match winning six by captain & man of the match MS Dhoni but it was either Steve Smith or Shane Watson who have scored the winning runs to win by 7 wickets while all rounder James Faulkner was awarded man of the match in the final because he had a brilliant game & it was a fitting farewell for the Australian cricket captain in the form of Michael Clarke as he becomes the 4th different Australian captain to lift the Cricket World Cup trophy after Allan Border (In 1987 (When they beat Ashes rivals England in the final at Eden Gardens in Kolkata (Known as Calcutta at the time) in India including Mike Gatting attempting a sweep shot but he was out caught behind by wicket keeper Greg Dyer off the bowling of the Australian skipper known by his playing nickname of AB which proved to be the turning point), Steve Waugh (1999 in which they demolished Pakistan at Lord's in London in England) & Ricky Ponting (2003 (In which they defeated the Indians at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg in South Africa) & 2007 (It was revenge of 1996 in which they put Sri Lanka aside at the Kensington Oval in Barbados which is part of the West Indies) & 1 of 3 players to have won the Cricket World Cup 3 times along with Adam Gilchrist & Glenn McGrath) twice) in Melbourne), Nan, Pops and I headed over to the Coromandel for a holiday but 1st we headed over to Rotorua for the night, by staying at Sport of Kings motel and going to Leonardo's Italian for dinner and I had a Carbonara as well as a Tiramisu.
And after spending the night in Rotorua, it was time for us to head over to the Coromandel (Nan took a photo of Wairere falls), when we headed over to Miner's Cottage, our base until ANZAC day but we had a few exciting things over in the Coromandel, including going on a train at Driving Creek with me taking photos during the course of the trip as well as taking a view from the Eyeful Tower, as well as having great lunches over at Umu (I had a satay chicken pizza over there as well as having either French Toast or Pancakes for breakfast) and the Tavern (Where I had pasta which I labeled it as a 5 star meal), but we did take a look at Kennedy Bay including the beach and Marae as well as going to the Coromandel Museum as well as having a look at beach houses and well, I even took a photo of Pops at the old house as well as having a picnic there at either Oamaru or Waitete Bay.
So ANZAC day was upon us so we decided to leave Coromandel by heading over to Taupo for the duration of ANZAC day so we were in Thames because Nan wanted to take a picture of Mural by John Hovell at the back of the hospital before we had lunch at Matamata so off we go again, decided to stop at Tokoroa were we had to fill up the gas before reaching Taupo so here we are because we had to go to the motel which is Catelli's so we had a swim there at the AC Baths so we were confident we had a ANZAC day dinner at Master of Indian restaurant where I had a Tandoori Chicken there then we headed back to our hotel, by watching a Super Rugby game.
So it was our last day here in Taupo because we went to Huka falls by taking so many photos there then had a walk downtown before saying goodbye to Taupo so we headed our way back home via Desert Road because the rest was history.
P.S. Just turned 24 recently, finally got my birthday present from Trade Me so the rest was also history (Although I did not go to Visions for a Scottish meal because I had food poisoning although I only went for a Chinese meal before Nan and Pops went to a funeral).
And after spending the night in Rotorua, it was time for us to head over to the Coromandel (Nan took a photo of Wairere falls), when we headed over to Miner's Cottage, our base until ANZAC day but we had a few exciting things over in the Coromandel, including going on a train at Driving Creek with me taking photos during the course of the trip as well as taking a view from the Eyeful Tower, as well as having great lunches over at Umu (I had a satay chicken pizza over there as well as having either French Toast or Pancakes for breakfast) and the Tavern (Where I had pasta which I labeled it as a 5 star meal), but we did take a look at Kennedy Bay including the beach and Marae as well as going to the Coromandel Museum as well as having a look at beach houses and well, I even took a photo of Pops at the old house as well as having a picnic there at either Oamaru or Waitete Bay.
So ANZAC day was upon us so we decided to leave Coromandel by heading over to Taupo for the duration of ANZAC day so we were in Thames because Nan wanted to take a picture of Mural by John Hovell at the back of the hospital before we had lunch at Matamata so off we go again, decided to stop at Tokoroa were we had to fill up the gas before reaching Taupo so here we are because we had to go to the motel which is Catelli's so we had a swim there at the AC Baths so we were confident we had a ANZAC day dinner at Master of Indian restaurant where I had a Tandoori Chicken there then we headed back to our hotel, by watching a Super Rugby game.
So it was our last day here in Taupo because we went to Huka falls by taking so many photos there then had a walk downtown before saying goodbye to Taupo so we headed our way back home via Desert Road because the rest was history.
P.S. Just turned 24 recently, finally got my birthday present from Trade Me so the rest was also history (Although I did not go to Visions for a Scottish meal because I had food poisoning although I only went for a Chinese meal before Nan and Pops went to a funeral).
Wednesday, 25 March 2015
Cricket World Cup 2015 Shorts (My 1st blog of MMXV)
It is the ICC Cricket World Cup of 2015 and it is the Black Caps of New Zealand are through to our 1st ever final with a superb batting performance from South African born Grant Elliott, unbeaten on 84 to defeat his country of birth South Africa in the semi-final when he hit the match winning six just like Kane Williamson did against Australia with only 2 balls to spare and win by 4 wickets under the Duckworth/Lewis method but the Black Caps rocky road to the final began when they beat Sri Lanka in the opener and Scotland then victories over high profile teams such as England (With Tim Southee picking up 7 wickets during the match & where Brendon McCullum got his batting mojo going) and Australia (When Kane Williamson hit a six out of the ground to win it) have proved them too much, then it was Afghanistan and Bangladesh where Martin Guptill got a ton and then it is the quarters against the West Indies when Guptill backed it up when he became New Zealand's highest run scorer of 237 not out and then things get too good when veteran Daniel Vettori took a superb one handed catch to settle the score to earn a place in the semi-final with a 143 run victory, but who will take on the Black Caps in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Final, Australia or India: all will be revealed.
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