Well, it was 6am when I woke up by setting the alarm clock so the game was on as the All Blacks are exacting revenge against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin since Ireland beat them to create rugby history at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illnois a fortnight ago so Dad came here to watch in my flat so too is Poppa as he arrived late because he brought with the breakfast stuff so I had muesli with bananas & strawberries (1st course) & sausages with eggs & cooked tomatoes (Main course) for breakfast so here's the full match commentary about the game so far:
1ST MINUTE: Start of 1st half
15 minutes to go until kick off at the Aviva Stadium. After Ireland's historic win in Chicago a fortnight ago, this really has become the most anticipated match of the Autumn.
The teams are out as the IRFU president is introduced to the sides.
Anthems over, it's time for the All Blacks haka. Can we expect anything from the Irish side this week?
Intensity to that haka! The match has feels more like the rematch of two a heavyweight boxers than a rugby game. This ought to be a stormer!
All Blacks on the attack straight away but Ireland ferocious in defense and earn a turnover. Still the All Blacks come though.
1 MINUTE LATER: New Zealand hammer away at the Ireland line now, the big men making easy metres.
1 MINUTE LATER: 0-5 Try - Malakai Fekitoa, New Zealand
TRY TIME!! Fekitoa gets over wide on the left after a kick pass from Beauden Barrett. 3 minutes of relentless attack finally see's the All Blacks breakthrough.
2 MINUTES LATER: 0-7 Conversion - Beauden Barrett, New Zealand
1 MINUTE LATER: Loose pass from the All Blacks see's them immediately under pressure from the restart. They might be pumped but clearly nerves are still affecting them. Smith clears the lines. Ireland on the attack now with Sean O'Brien bursting through but he's held up over the line. Breathless start in Dublin!
3 MINUTES LATER: Ireland again held up over the New Zealand line! This time is CJ Stander. Referee Jaco Peyper brings play back for a penalty in front of the sticks, should be an easy 3 points.
1 MINUTE LATER: 3-7 Penalty goal - Johnny Sexton, Ireland
Play stopped for a second look at a Sam Cane tackle on Robbie Henshaw. Looked like the All Black could be seeing a card, but the TMO decides on just a penalty.
1 MINUTE LATER: Player substituted - Robbie Henshaw, Ireland
Substitute on - Garry Ringrose, Ireland
That decision seems to have divided opinion. New directives mean that any tackle that is even slightly high should be strictly policed and cards issued.
1 MINUTE LATER: As expected, this game has been electric so far. Beauden Barrett carries back a loose Rob Kearney kick and perfectly chips over the Irish defense to re-collect. Nearly puts Dagg through but a Ireland defender just gets a hand to it.
2 MINUTES LATER: 3-12 Try - Beauden Barrett, New Zealand
TRY TIME!! Beauden Barrett slices through the Ireland defense and dots down for the score. Jonny Sexton gets back and looked like he had prevent Barrett from touching down but the TMO awards the try. That's why Barrett is World Player of the Year.
1 MINUTE LATER: 3-14 Conversion - Beauden Barrett, New Zealand
2 MINUTES LATER: Ireland need points and quickly, the All Blacks are near impossible to reign in once they have a lead. They have a penalty and Aaron Smith is given a yellow card! That's exactly what they needed. They kick to the corner though? Right decision? We shall find out
1 MINUTE LATER: Yellow card - Aaron Smith, New Zealand
Player substituted - Johnny Sexton, Ireland
Substitute on - Paddy Jackson, Ireland
Player substituted - Sam Cane, New Zealand
Substitute on - Ardie Savea, New Zealand
Wrong Decision. All Blacks counter the resulting maul superbly and force Ireland to peel off, conceding a penalty in the process.
1 MINUTE LATER: Henshaw and Sexton are both off early on. They were instrumental in Ireland's win over the All Blacks in Chicago.
2 MINUTES LATER: It's wave after wave of green jerseys in attack now as Ireland work their way up to the New Zealand try line. Excellent attack with Stander and Heaslip both making strong carries. Ireland scrum 5 metres out. Can they convert this pressure into points?
1 MINUTE LATER: Player substituted - CJ Stander, Ireland
Substitute on - Josh Van der Flier, Ireland
2 MINUTES LATER: That had to be a another card for the All Blacks! The Irish scrum is on the march and Liam Squire decides to unbind and dive onto the ball to prevent them going any further. Jackson slots the penalty but you feel had Piper been stronger, it could have been more.
1 MINUTE LATER: 6-14 Penalty goal - Paddy Jackson, Ireland
Another penalty against the All Blacks for a high tackle. Fair to say the Irish players and fans are not impressed with the officials so far.
4 MINUTES LATER: Tadhg Furlong has been outstanding so far for Ireland, as have the backrow of O'Brien, Heaslip and Stander
Beauden Barrett knocks the ball out of Paddy Jackson's hands and races under the sticks but play is brought back for a knock-on.
5 MINUTES LATER: Julian Savea with a powerful carry that emulated another All Black winger, Jonah Lomu. Great way to mark the anniversary of his passing.
2 MINUTES LATER: New Zealand enjoying some lengthy possession now and are asking questions of the Irish defense. Another Ireland choke tackle earns a turnover though. They truly are the best in the world at that.
1 MINUTE LATER: Scrum penalty for Ireland. The tight five have really dominated at the set piece so far. Chance for the home side to get some points before half-time.
2 MINUTES LATER: Resolute defense from New Zealand who earn a penalty at the breakdown.
1 MINUTE LATER: 6-14 End of 1st half
Thrilling 1st 40 minutes in Dublin. The All Blacks have been clinical in attack with World Player of the Year Beauden Barrett at the heart of both tries. Ireland have looked threatening upfront but haven't been able to convert pressure into points. 3 key injuries in Henshaw, Sexton and Stander will no doubt take it's toll, particularly in the 2nd half.
41ST MINUTE: 6-14 Start of 2nd half
Paddy Jackson gets us back underway in the second-half. New Zealand lead by 8 points. It's Ireland on the attack early on as they try to unlock this All Blacks defense.
3 MINUTES LATER: Kieran Read wins a turnover penalty to bring a halt to the Irish attack. Joe Schmidt has clearly pinpointed Julian Savea as a weakness under the high ball as Jackson hangs one on the powerful winger to good effect. Ireland scrum just outside the New Zealand 22.
2 MINUTES LATER: Fields of Athenry rings around the Aviva Stadium as Ireland hammer go through the phases deep inside the New Zealand 22.
2 MINUTES LATER: Another high tackle from an All Blacks player and this time its a yellow card. Fekitoa the culprit. That's been coming. Ireland on the attack with a lineout on the New Zealand 5 metre line.
1 MINUTE LATER: Yellow card - Malakai Fekitoa, New Zealand
Player substituted - Joe Moody, New Zealand
Substitute on - Wyatt Crockett, New Zealand
1 MINUTE LATER: Sean O'Brien knocks on as he peels round the back of the lineout and Smith clears the pressure. Ireland need to turn this pressure into points. It's been nothing but wave after wave of green jerseys in the 2nd half.
2 MINUTES LATER: Player substituted - Owen Franks, New Zealand
Substitute on - Charlie Faumuina, New Zealand
Ireland maul goes marching deep inside the All Blacks 22. Brought down 5 metres out. Again the Irish hammer away at the New Zealand defense and again it holds strong.
2 MINUTES LATER: Dangerous All Blacks attack see's Dane Coles race down the touchline after some smart thinking at the lineout. O'Brien recovers well.
2 MINUTES LATER: Ireland almost over! Kearney agonisingly short and can't get the offload away. New Zealand turn it over and try to run it out of their own 22. Jared Payne wins a penalty and Ireland this time go for goal. Breathless second half.
2 MINUTES LATER: 9-14 Penalty goal - Paddy Jackson, Ireland
Player substituted - Jack McGrath, Ireland
Substitute on - Cian Healy, Ireland
Player substituted - Donnacha Ryan , Ireland
Substitute on - Iain Henderson , Ireland
Player substituted - Aaron Smith , New Zealand
Substitute on - TJ Perenara , New Zealand
Player substituted - Julian Savea , New Zealand
Substitute on - Aaron Cruden , New Zealand
2 MINUTES LATER: 20 minutes gone in the 2nd half and it's been all Ireland. New Zealand scramble defense has been brilliant, restricting Ireland to just 9 points so far.
3 MINUTES LATER: New Zealand enjoying their first meaningful piece of possession in this second half. Dagg gets on the outside but can't quite find Cruden inside with the offload as Zebo recovers. A glimpse at how dangerous the All Blacks are with ball in hand.
3 MINUTES LATER: 9-19 Try - Malakai Fekitoa, New Zealand
TRY TIME!! That in a nutshell, is why the All Blacks are World Champions. Fekitoa gets over after some superb offloading from Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara.
1 MINUTE LATER: 9-21 Conversion - Beauden Barrett, New Zealand
Rory Best and the Irish crowd not happy as the final pass for the Fekitoa try looks forward. It stands though and that's all that matters.
1 MINUTE LATER: Player substituted - Rory Best, Ireland
Substitute on - Sean Cronin, Ireland
Player substituted - Tadhg Furlong, Ireland
Substitute on - Finlay Bealham, Ireland
Player substituted - Dane Coles, New Zealand
Substitute on - Codie Taylor, New Zealand
Player substituted - Liam Squire, New Zealand
Substitute on - Scott Barrett, New Zealand
1 MINUTE LATER: The New Zealand try appears to have taken the wind out of Ireland's sail. They have given everything but just cannot crack this All Blacks defense.
3 MINUTES LATER: Josh Van Der Flier has been impressive in a green jersey. He makes another line break but has no support and the attack fizzles out.
1 MINUTE LATER: Player substituted - Simon Zebo, Ireland
Substitute on - Kieran Marmion, Ireland
Player substituted - Ben Smith, New Zealand
Substitute on - Waisake Naholo, New Zealand
1 MINUTE LATER: Rare poor execution out wide by the All Blacks and Ringrose races up the pitch. Ireland pile into New Zealand but once again they knock it on at the crucial moment. That sums up the match so far.
5 MINUTES LATER: New Zealand have come up with turnovers at key times in this 2nd half. Whether it's forcing an Irish error or excellent work at the breakdown. Another Ireland attack fizzes out as the seconds count down.
1 MINUTE LATER: Beauden Barrett named man of the match. He's been every bit the world player of the year today.
It's all over in Dublin. Ireland were valiant but the All Blacks were clinical in attack and dogged in defense. It's been great to watch these two sides battle it out this Autumn.
1 MINUTE LATER: 9-21 End of 2nd half
Well, what a way to exact revenge for the All Blacks since that loss in Chicago a fortnight ago but the next game is the final test match of the year which is against France at the Stade de France (Hosted the Euro 2016 final between eventual winners Portugal & hosts France) in Saint Denis & how did Rugby World Cup winning player from last year, Beauden Barrett (One of her favourite All Blacks players according to one of Uncle Andrew's daughters) get his World Rugby player of the year award because he was the best first five-eighth this year because Dan Carter (Who won the player of the year honours last year because he now plays for French Top 14 champions Racing 92 but how did he get cleared for a positive drug test? Because he claims that he took drugs or should I say steroids in order to win the Top 14 title against Ma'a Nonu's Toulon in the final (Although Nonu did not play due to concussion) along with his teammates Joe Rokocoko (Used to be my favourite All Black player because he kept scoring tries a lot along with the late Jonah Lomu, Richie McCaw & Kieran Read because my favourite All Black player at the moment is Anton Lienert-Brown) & Argentinian Juan Imhoff) no longer played for New Zealand since our World Cup success last year in England & he overtook Aaron Cruden as the AB's premier first five eighth since their Super Rugby triumph this year with the Hurricanes & the All Blacks getting team of the year as well as the super coach of Steve Hansen picking up coach of the year after missing out to Wallabies coach Michael Cheika last year.
And finally in other rugby news such as Australia beating France by 2 points as well as the Springboks getting beaten by 2 points against Italy because the Italians exactly created rugby history for their 1st ever win against South Africa + Scotland mowed down Argentina by 3 points with a match winning penalty by Scottish halfback Greig Laidlaw & England getting the benefit against Fiji to remain unbeaten in 2016 & of course finally that Wales almost succumbed to Japan by tearing them apart with a match winning drop goal by Sam Davies.
So that is my XXXIIIrd blog of the year 2016 (MMXVI) & my 73rd overall, see you next time because I will be doing a blog about the final rugby test match of 2016 between France & the All Blacks.
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