It was yesterday as Pops took me to Nan's grave on her birthday on the 10th of September (Well she would have been 70 if she remained alive) and after that he took me to 15A Kells Avenue to clean up the mess before we went to Caroline's for lunch where I had a burger while Pops had that steak and I was so full so we went to the Heartland Rugby Championship game at Cooks Gardens for the top of the table clash between Wanganui & South Canterbury in a rematch of the final last year with a news report according to Stuff News:
Defending Heartland champions Wanganui edged out South Canterbury 32-30 in a close encounter in Whanganui on Saturday.
In what was a replay of last year's Meads Cup final, South Canterbury showed plenty of spirit against the championship favourites, leading 14-8 at the break.
Irish first five Steve Crosbie ran things well for Wanganui, while second five Kameli Kuruyabaki and fullback Ace Malo also impressed.
For South Canterbury, big prop Viliame Logavatu was outstanding around the paddock with a magnificent 50m run and a try-saving tackle.
Loose forwards John Dyer and Nick Strachan also had strong games, in a pack that had a slight edge.
The win leaves Wanganui as the only unbeaten side after three rounds of the Mitre 10 Heartland Championship, with the maximum 15 points.
Despite the loss South Canterbury remain second on 12 but have four other sides breathing down their neck, within two competition points.
Wanganui 32 (Malakai Volau 2, Samu Kubunavanua, Gavin Thornbury tries; Steve Crosbie 3 con, pen) South Canterbury 30 (Nick Strachan, Nick Annear, Tiaone Ratu, Conor McCormack tries; Zac Southen 3 con, pen). HT: 8-14
And after that we went back to 15A Kells Avenue to do some jobs at Nan's Memorial Garden by putting out the screws for the plastic pots and after that we had to cook a light dinner which is omelette because we had lunch & I did enjoy it because I always have a low alcohol beer with it & so, we went to my flat to tune in to watch the All Blacks play Argentina (Well I have worn Lionel Messi's (I almost forgot that Messi must have come out of retirement to help his country qualify in Russia 2018) jersey so Pops thinks that i'm a traitor, we will see about that) in round 3 of the Rugby Championship (Which took a 1 week break) sponsored by Investec at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton that went down to the line of fire for the full 80 minutes by claiming another...big scalp:
After a week off, the Rugby Championship resumes at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton where New Zealand play host to Argentina.
The All Blacks were as close to unbeatable as possible against the Wallabies and will provide a stern test for the Pumas this evening: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody.
Argentina were outstanding in their last match and their victory over South Africa will give them plenty of confidence coming up against the best team in world rugby: 15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Matías Moroni, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Juan Martín Hernández, 11 Santiago Cordero, 10 Nicolás Sánchez, 9 Martín Landajo, 8 Facundo Isa, 7 Javier Ortega Desio, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 2 Agustín Creevy (c), 1 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.
1ST MINUTE, KICK OFF: Juan Martín Hernández puts boot to ball and we are underway in Hamilton!
An early penalty for the Pumas and the resultant kick crosses the touch line on the All Blacks' 22 - good field position here for Argentina.
1 MINUTE LATER: Conditions here at Waikato Stadium are perfect this evening for what should be an entertaining test match.
1 MINUTE LATER, TRY: What a start for the Pumas! Argentina is rewarded for some wonderful ball retention and crisp passing with Santiago Cordero bursting away and touching down under the posts.
4 MINUTES LATER, CONVERSION: Nicolás Sánchez makes sure of the conversion and Argentina have just the start they were after - it is the visitors leading by 7-0.
2 MINUTES LATER, PENALTY MISS: Beauden Barrett lines up for the All Blacks' first points but his kick slams into the left hand upright and bounces away.
1 MINUTE LATER: Excellent field position for the All Blacks for the first scrum of the match - New Zealand have the feed just 10m out from the Pumas' line.
1 MINUTE LATER: A penalty against the Pumas' scrum - the All Blacks show no hesitation in electing to take the feed once again.
1 MINUTE LATER, TRY: And the All Blacks have hit back - a wonderfully executed set piece play from the scrum creates an opening for Julian Savea and he bursts through before dotting down.
CONVERSION: Barrett converts from point blank range and we are all square at 7-7 in what has been a frantic start to this test match.
2 MINUTES LATER: The All Blacks have been caught offside at the ruck and Sanchez will line up from a tight angle, about 30m from the posts.
1 MINUTE LATER, PENALTY GOAL: On a perfect night for kicking, the strike from Sanchez is a beauty - the Pumas put their noses ahead, leading by 10-7.
1 MINUTE LATER: Argentina have been terrific with ball in hand in the early minutes and are certainly asking plenty of questions of the All Blacks' defence.
1 MINUTE LATER: Savea breaks through the defensive line like a hot knife through butter giving the All Blacks a chance to go on the front foot.
1 MINUTE LATER, PENALTY GOAL: Sanchez from just a slight angle slots his second penalty goal and Argentina extend their lead to 13-7.
2 MINUTES LATER: The Pumas' skipper Agustín Creevy has conceded a penalty at the breakdown and Barrett will line up for a much needed penalty goal from a tight angle.
2 MINUTES LATER, PENALTY MISS: Barrett has hooked his kick well wide to the left and the flags stay down.
TRY: On the back of a barnstorming run from Savea, the All Blacks spread the ball wide where they have all the numbers and it is Ben Smith who breaks through the tackle to score.
3 MINUTES LATER, CONVERSION: From right in front, Barrett makes sure of the conversion and the All Blacks are ahead for the first time, ahead by 14-13.
1 MINUTE LATER: Argentina's intentions in this test match are clear - they are looking to keep the ball moving on at every opportunity.
2 MINUTES LATER, PENALTY GOAL: A quick response from the Pumas with Sanchez nailing his 3rd penalty goal for a 16-14 lead to the visitors.
2 MINUTES LATER: A timely penalty for Argentina just 15m out from their own line - a thumping kick for touch takes play over half way.
Outstanding strength from Sam Cane at the breakdown is rewarded with a penalty near half way - Israel Dagg will line up a long range penalty goal attempt.
2 MINUTES LATER, PENALTY GOAL: A superb strike from Dagg and he watches as the ball sails between the uprights - another lead change with the All Blacks ahead now by 17-16.
1 MINUTE LATER: Ben Smith pounces on the loose ball but it is Matías Moroni who has come up with the turnover for the Pumas in midfield.
3 MINUTES LATER, TRY: Ben Smith toes the ball through and it sits up perfectly for Barrett who gathers cleanly before steaming away to score under the posts.
1 MINUTE LATER, CONVERSION: Barrett converts his own try and the All Blacks have finally been able to open up some breathing space with a 24-16 lead.
2 MINUTES LATER, PENALTY GOAL: Sanchez hasn't looked like missing from the tee in this first half - his 4th penalty goal has closed the All Blacks' lead to within a converted try. It i s New Zealand ahead by 24-19.
2 MINUTES LATER: A break in play with Guido Petti receiving treatment - he looks to be in serious discomfort. The upside for the Pumas is they have a penalty right on the stroke of half time.
PENALTY MISS: The kick from Sanchez has plenty of distance but he has pushed his kick out to the right - his first miss of the test match so far.
HALF-TIME: A highly entertaining first half comes to an end - New Zealand head to the rooms with a 24-19 lead but Argentina are taking this test match up to the All Blacks are are right in the contest.
40TH MINUTE, 2ND HALF: Barrett kicks off for the All Blacks to get us underway in the second half.
1 MINUTE LATER: Early possession in the second half for the Pumas who have won the scrum feed following an All Blacks' knock on right on half way.
2 MINUTES LATER: Some good ball retention from the Pumas as they inch their way toward the All Blacks' 22.
1 MINUTE LATER: Outstanding defence from the All Blacks and Sam Cane in particular and the home side has come up with the relieving penalty.
1 MINUTE LATER: A rare error from the All Blacks at the line out with the throw well wide of the mark - advantage is played and the Pumas have a chance once again to venture into attacking territory.
1 MINUTE LATER, SUBSTITUTION: A massive blow for the All Blacks with Sam Cane in some serious pain after overextending his right leg - he limps his way from the field to be replaced by Ardie Savea.
2 MINUTES LATER: On the back of an outstanding surge from Matías Moroni the Pumas edge within 10m of New Zealand's line but the All Blacks' defence holds firm and they have come up with a timely penalty.
2 MINUTES LATER: The All Blacks' were virtually unbeatable in the line out against the Wallabies but they are looking decidedly shaky in that area this evening.
2 MINUTES LATER, PENALTY GOAL: From dead in front of the posts, Sanchez registers the first points of the second half - the All Blacks lead but only just! New Zealand ahead by 24-22.
Better execution at the line out from the All Blacks and they are able to launch an attack from the Pumas' 22m line.
1 MINUTE LATER, TRY: A couple of moments of individual brilliance from Barrett lights up Waikato Stadium! He sets up Ryan Crotty who barges his way under the posts to score the first try of the second half.
2 MINUTES LATER, CONVERSION: Barrett converts the try that he was instrumental in setting up and the All Blacks have opened up a 31-22 lead.
1 MINUTE LATER, TRY: It's taken almost an hour but the All Blacks have cranked into gear! Charlie Faumuina is credited with the five points but it was a superb team effort that was instrumental in the try.
4 MINUTES LATER, CONVERSION: Barrett keeps the scoreboard ticking over with the conversion - the All Blacks have stretched their lead out to 38-22.
2 MINUTES LATER: The All Blacks are really tightening the screws now - they have all the momentum and now it is the Pumas who are looking rattled.
1 MINUTE LATER: The All Blacks have the scrum feed in ideal field position - they are just 5m out from the Pumas line just to the left of the uprights.
2 MINUTES LATER, TRY: Wonderful set piece play from the scrum from the All Blacks allows Ryan Crotty to stroll through a gaping hole in the Pumas' defence - he takes his tally to 2 tries for the match.
1 MINUTE LATER, CONVERSION: Barrett adds another 2 points and after some nervous moments the All Blacks are well on their way to victory now - the home side leads by 45-22.
2 MINUTES LATER, TRY: A wonderful fend initially from Ben Smith gives him terrific momentum before he cuts a weaving path to the try line - a brilliant individual five-pointer!
2 MINUTES LATER, CONVERSION: Aaron Cruden has taken over the kicking duties and he makes no mistake with his first kick - the All Blacks' lead has now ballooned out to 52-22.
4 MINUTES LATER: The All Blacks are hammering the Pumas' defence now and they are rewarded with a penalty right in front of the posts - they elect to take the scrum feed.
1 MINUTE LATER: Some good, solid defence from the Pumas has forced the All Blacks to retreat back toward the visitors' 22m line.
2 MINUTES LATER, TRY: A well directed kick across field bounces off the chest of Israel Dagg and right into the path of Luke Romano who scores - the All Blacks can do no wrong at the moment.
1 MINUTE LATER, CONVERSION MISS: The conversion attempt from Dagg is charged down! It matters little with the All Blacks holding a commanding 57-22 lead.
2 MINUTES LATER: Time is almost up on the clock but we will have just enough time for one last scrum - All Blacks have the feed right in the middle of the park.
FULL TIME: The Pumas took this test match right up to the hosts in the first half but it was all New Zealand in the second half - the All Blacks scored a stunning 5 unanswered tries in the last half an hour to record a comprehensive 57-22 victory over Argentina.
And after the game ended, Pops left so I had to watch only the 1st half between the Wallabies & the Springboks so I was going for the Boks to win because Australia are New Zealand's old foe but they didn't, going down to their opponents so here's a news report about it:
Australia ended a run of 6 Test defeats (Against the All Blacks in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final, England in a 3 match test series in June & the All Blacks again in the 1st 2 matches of both the Rugby Championship & Bledisloe Cup last month) by coming from behind to beat South Africa 23-17 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane in Round 3 of the Rugby Championship.
Tries from Warren Whiteley and Johan Goosen handed South Africa a double-digit lead, but the boot of Bernard Foley and an Adam Coleman try meant that South Africa only led by a point at half-time, up 14-13.
A Foley penalty then put the Wallabies ahead for the first time before his solo try edged Australia further into the lead.
And despite a Morné Steyn penalty putting the Springboks within a converted try of the win, they couldn't find the breakthrough in the closing stages, to make it back-to-back losses for Allister Coetzee's side.
Considering the two teams' form prior to Brisbane this fixture was unsurprisingly scrappy, with handling errors aplenty.
Questions regarding what South Africa are trying to achieve tactically on attack will continue to persist as long as they only score tries off turnovers, as was the case here in Brisbane.
And while the Wallabies attack at times showed plenty of rhythm, that also disappeared for large swathes of the match. Both outfits are truthfully some way off their best, and will be underdogs for their respective fixtures against Argentina and New Zealand next weekend.
Some credit must go to South Africa for the way they made the most of Wallaby mistakes for their two tries in the first half, pouncing on the errors and turning them into points.
A Jantjies break produced the first score, Whiteley finishing off a sustained attack by going over from metres out after great runs in the build-up from Faf de Klerk and Oupa Mohoje.
Foley cut the lead to four with a first penalty before the Wallabies' intent in attack, especially from Quade Cooper with an incisive break at the touchline, came to nothing and turned into a disaster.
Adriaan Strauss produced an athletic interception and from there the Springboks broke, Goosen winning the race to Jantjies' chip ahead to score under the posts, making it 14-3 with the conversion.
That scoreline felt harsh on the Wallabies and they eventually crossed themselves through lock Coleman, finishing in the corner from a looping Foley pass as Bryan Habana failed to haul in a possible interception. Foley's touchline conversion made it 10-14.
And another penalty from the Wallaby number 10 cut the gap to just a point at the break, with Jantjies pushing an effort of his own to the right to leave South Africa ahead 14-13 at half-time.
Not long after Eben Etzebeth had run back onto the field for the second half he was soon trudging off it again, yellow carded for cynical play in his 50th Test after a break from Samu Kerevi. Foley converted the resulting penalty to put Australia ahead for the first time at 16-14.
A prolonged TMO referral then eventually denied Kerevi a finish in the corner, the big Reds centre's knee touching the whitewash milliseconds before he appeared to have done enough to ground the ball despite the tackle of Goosen.
Finely poised for over 20 minutes after that, with South Africa riding out the sin-bin period, both sides were guilty of squandering chances either by failing to make the most of overlaps or through turnovers.
Foley stopped the rot. Shaping to pass wide in the middle of the field before cutting in-between Jantjies and Pieter-Steph du Toit to score by the posts for a sharp finish.
Steyn cut the gap to six with a penalty to set up an intriguing final few minutes, but South Africa couldn't find the score required, giving Australia a long-awaited victory and their first of the year.
It was today on the 15th anniversary of 9/11 (The September 11 attacks were a series of 4 coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda on the United States on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001) that I have been to Poppa's once more to have lunch there because they had guests around such as Lesley Peddy, Ann & Craig Cleveland so I quite liked lunch as well as nibbles, the starter (Which is my favourite part because I had a seafood chowder which I quite like because it is my favourite soup now), the main course & dessert & I read both books which are Richie McCaw, The Open Side & Richie McCaw 148 & after that, Anne & Craig took me home with his American muscle car ride to end a wonderful day it was.
P.S. The All Blacks team has been named to face the Springboks has been named with Ardie 'The Pineapple' Savea (Brother of Julian 'The Bus' Savea) starting at openside flanker replacing the injured Sam Cane (Who is ruled out for 4 to 6 weeks & will miss the rest of the Rugby Championship) with Matt Todd elevated to the bench taking Ardie Savea's place but Aaron Cruden is ruled out due to a groin injury and is replaced by Lima Sopoaga so here is the starting lineup for this weekend's Rugby Championship test match encounter (And by the way, South Africa are looking to end the #Blackout in 2016 after Argentina became the latest victim along with the Wallabies & Wales but the last meeting between the 2 sides was at a Rugby World Cup Semifinal with New Zealand picking up a 2 point win over the Boks to go through to the final by going on to win the Rugby World Cup against the Wallabies for the 3rd time effectively going back to back):
1 (Loose head prop): Joe Moody (Canterbury/Crusaders)
2 (Hooker): Dane Coles (Wellington/Hurricanes)
3 (Tight head prop): Owen Franks (Canterbury/Crusaders)
4 (Lock): Brodie Retallick (Hawke's Bay/Chiefs)
5 (Lock): Sam Whitelock (Canterbury/Crusaders)
6 (Blindside Flanker): Jerome Kaino (Auckland/Blues)
7 (Openside Flanker): Ardie Savea (Wellington/Hurricanes)
8 (Number 8): Kieran Read (Captain, Canterbury/Crusaders)
9 (Half-back): Aaron Smith (Manawatu/Highlanders)
10 (First five eighth): Beauden Barrett (Taranaki/Hurricanes)
11 (Left Wing): Julian Savea (Wellington/Hurricanes)
12 (Second five eighth): Ryan Crotty (Canterbury/Crusaders)
13 (Centre): Malakai Fekitoa (Auckland/Highlanders)
14 (Right Wing): Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay/Crusaders)
& 15 (Fullback): Ben Smith (Otago/Highlanders)
And in the reserves are Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Luke Romano, Matt Todd, TJ Perenara, Lima Sopoaga & Anton Lienert-Brown.
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