And it was last night that I went to Caroline's to have dinner there so I had pasta of the day for the main course then I had a birthday cake & we went back home to watch the Blues play the British & Irish Lions on TV then I went to bed after watching only watching the 1st half.
And the almighty Blues have knocked over the British & Irish Lions by 6 points last night but my favourite moment (AKA the Balls Of Steel moment) of the game was the 2 offloads by Steven Luatua & Sonny Bill 'SBW' Williams that set up an all important match winning try scored by reserve Blues first five-eighth Ihaia West.
And here is the live commentary of the game so far with the Blues becoming the 1st Super Rugby team to take on the British & Irish Lions:
7.10pm: Rain rain go away. We just had a massive downpour but it looks to have stopped. Let's hope it stays that way.
7.15pm: Make sure you get in touch on Facebook or Twitter (@NewshubSport) - always good to hear from you.
7.23pm: Both teams now off the pitch to get ready. Crowd filling up fast and the rain looks to have died down! Kick off isn't far away.
7.26pm: I just overheard someone saying they can't wait to see Patrick Tuipulotu play. Might not say anything...
7.28pm: So much excited chatter around and it's just the Blues match! Lots of Lions fans around but just as many Blues ones. Actually I've seen lots of All Black jerseys. Excited!
7.30pm: Here come the Lions led out by Welshman Ken Owens.
7.31pm: Now here come the Blues and the crowd roars. They will perform a special haka before the match in tribute to Jonah Lomu and Kurtis Haiu.
7.33pm: The stadium and the teams gather for a minute silence for the victims of the London and Manchester terrorist attacks.
7.34pm: That seemed a short minute, but now we have the Blues haka, led by Sam Nock!
7.35pm: Ah-mazing!!! Brilliant stuff from the home side. Ihaia West started it, Sam Nock finished it. Now let's get into it.
KICKOFF: Dan Biggar gets us underway to the left and Collins takes it in and Augustine Pulu clears but only down to halfway to Halfpenny.
2 MINUTES LATER: Lions use width early and are on the Blues 22m line. A few pick and go's by the Lions as the visitors' forwards get into their work. The Lions chant starts.
1 MINUTE LATER: Lions about 10m out and they're going left to right. But the Blues get the penalty at the breakdown won by SBW!
1 MINUTE LATER: A big tackle by a Lion jolts the ball loose on the Blues 22 and the Lions almost look to be over, but the ball gets to the line before Jared Payne. A brilliant start by the Lions.
1 MINUTE LATER: A brilliant SBW turnover again relieves the pressure for the Blues and a chip goes downfield into the Lions half. The Lions then knockon and the Blues have a scrum about 30m out from the Lions line.
1 MINUTE LATER: Wipers kick from Perofeta goes out to Duffie and the Blues are on attack on the Lions 22m.
1 MINUTE LATER, TRY IOANE: Too good from the Blues. A few hit ups and then they go wide to Rieko. Too fast and the Lions have been caught out
It all started with the wipers kick from Perofeta and then Charlie Faumuina committed a player and the Blues went wide. Great stuff!
1 MINUTE LATER: The 20 year old Perofeta misses the conversion but an exciting start from teh Blues. The rain has also kept away so far.
2 MINUTES LATER: Biggar restarts and Perofeta makes a handling error on his own line. Pulu clears but doesn't find touch and the Lions are on attack inside the Blues 22
1 MINUTE LATER, TMO LIONS: And it's that man Jared Payne over in the corner. It will be touch and go but he could be in. What a return that'd be for the Kiwi born Payne.
NO TRY: Payne's left foot hits the line and it's no try. Great try saving tackle from Perofeta. TMO takes his time to make the decision.
Testy moment for the Blues but they were good enough to repel the attack. 5m lineout to the home side.
1 MINUTE LATER: Blues lock Scrafton coughs up the ball in the lineout but they get an offside penalty. Perofeta clears down to halfway - Blues off the hook there.
1 MINUTE LATER: Great d from the Lions but their endeavour to come up quickly is leaving space wide. Big kick from Collins into the Lions 22. Halfpenny returns the favour before Collins drills it into the corner, one bounce into their 22. Lions lineout.
2 MINUTES LATER: Lions try and drive out of their 22 but the Blues hold firm. Lions make a break into the Blues half after a Haskell break and they're on the Blues 22.
Lions get a penalty and they go for the corner! That's more like it.
1 MINUTE LATER: Penalty Lions for collapsing the maul. Good d from the Blues but that could be a yellow card soon! Back to the corner, they're driving again.
2 MINUTES LATER, TRY LIONS: Their maul was relentless and while there were doubts over the channel, CJ Stander burrows over. The Lions hit back
The Blues did well to hold out as long as they did but this Lions team made no mistake. Halfpenny slots it and the Lions hit the lead.
1 MINUTE LATER: Lions take the kickoff and clear but only down to Collins on half way. Makes a break up the middle and the Blues are on attack
1 MINUTE LATER: One error after another as the ball looks like a piece of soap. Blues knock on is called and the Lions get a scrum just on their side of halfway.
Halfpenny trying to get his contacts in by the looks. A bit of a break in play as the Blues have a bit of a korero.
2 MINUTES LATER: Both teams kick and Duffie takes a quick lineout option to himself and that's not a good idea. Lions lineout on the Blues 22m.
1 MINUTE LATER: Lions on attack and they're playing this very narrow. Ball is dead at the ruck and a scrum to Lions. Great position about 10m out, in the centre of the field.
Lions earn a penalty before the scrum engages, right in front and Halfpenny points to the sticks.
Halfpenny throws it over and the Lions forwards really look like they're getting into their work.
2 MINUTES LATER: Lions take the kick and Webb clears but it's back to Collins who hands it to Akira. Blues ball on halfway. A chip kick gives ball back to the Lions
1 MINUTE LATER: Lions go the midfield bomb option but the Blues take it in. Perofeta knocks it down the middle and Biggar clears and clears well, back to halfway.
1 MINUTE LATER: Blues earn a penalty, second one from a lineout and the culprit is Courtney Lawes. Perofeta makes a stunning touch finder and the Blues have a lineout 5m out.
1 MINUTE LATER: That's a mighty quick maul call from the ref and he calls it a turnover. Lions scrum 5m out from their line.
1 MINUTE LATER: A scrum penalty to the Lions and there's pats on the back all over the shop from the visitors. Biggar clears very well, down into the Blues half.
1 MINUTE LATER: Penalty to the Blues as the Lions are done for obstruction in the first channel between 10 and 12. Perofeta finds touch on the Lions 22. Blues have a chance to attack here.
1 MINUTE LATER: Lions steal the penalty and they're starting to break down the Blues set piece. Rhys Webb clears but clears long to Duffie. Blues ball on the Lions 10m.
1 MINUTE LATER: Another penalty to the Blues after the Lions are offside at the breakdown. Perofeta again drills it into the Lions half. The Blues need to be better with ball in hand and at the set piece.
2 MINUTES LATER: A silly little grubber by Perofeta gives the ball back to the Lions and they have the ball outside their 22. Elliot Daly clears down to Collins who is tackled on the half way line.
1 MINUTE LATER, TMO BLUES: Wow what happened there. I think a Blues prop was offside at the kick, Lions player takes the ball, gets hammered by said prop, loses the ball and Rieko Ioane runs it under the posts.
1 MINUTE LATER: Clearly offside - really silly there from Tu'ungafasi, didn't even look like he was retiring. No try and Dan Biggar is being replaced.
Lions take a scrum where the ball was kicked from, inside the Blues' 22.
1 MINUTE LATER: Rain is starting to fall quite hard. Blues earn a penalty 10m out from their own line after Itoje gets isolated - Steven Luatua with the turnover. Now some hand bags are being thrown and the ref keeps blowing his whistle.
1 MINUTE LATER: Now the ref is having a word with the sheilas "put your handbags away ladies" I can hear him say.
1 MINUTE LATER: Ref gives the Blues a penalty at the lineout before it's even formed. Lions closing the gap repeatedly. Perofeta can't find touch and the Blues get it back but then kick it away again. It's raining cats and dogs.
1 MINUTE LATER: Bucketing down and Pulu goes for a little chip out of his 22. It's Lions ball just outside the Blues 22. Midfield bomb. Collins takes it well, calls a mark and they're not back 10, free kick again.
1 MINUTE LATER: Blues run it from their own 22 and go wide. A few mini breaks and they're up to the half way line. Siren goes but the Blues don't want to kill it
2 MINUTES LATER: Penalty Blues just outside the Lions 22 after some good phases of play involving Luatua, Akira Ioane and SBW. Much better by the home side there and they point to the posts.
TMO BLUES: Wow! The ball hits the post and bounces in the 22, the ball goes loose and SBW dives on it in the goal.
2 MINUTES LATER, TRY BLUES: The most ridiculous end to the first half. Nowell knocks it backwards after it bounces and Sonny Bill Williams grounds it in-goal. Try given. Remarkable!!! What a turning point.
HALFTIME: What an incredible end to the first half. Perofeta knocks it over from in front and the Blues go in with the lead. Incredible
HALFTIME ANALYSIS: You honestly can't turn your back on the Blues! Half looked all but over but a freakish bit of luck and TJ Faiane following up the kick sees the Blues take a half time lead.
HALFTIME ANALYSIS: Other than the final 10 minutes of the half, the Lions look a much better outfit than the one from Whangarei. Twisting the screws up front, their set piece has dominated the Blues' one. But silly errors from the visitors allowed Blues to relieve pressure more than once. Weather update - raining.
KICKOFF: Perofeta gets us underway and CJ Stander claims it before Rhys Webb clears.
2 MINUTES LATER: Blues have the ball on the Lions 10 and they're getting the speed of this match. Lions' Jack Nowell doesn't roll away and the Blues get the penalty. Perofeta drills it into Lions 22. Lineout 15m out
1 MINUTE LATER: Blues pick and drive and they've got the Lions on their heels. Attacking well and they're five metres out.
TMO BLUES: Rieko Ioane could be over in the corner after some great pick and drive from the Blues. Both of the home locks doing their bit. Could be up again here.
NO TRY: Rieko Ioane's right foot is in touch and it's no try, Jack Nowell with the try saving tackle. Lions lineout 5m out.
1 MINUTE LATER: Lions take the lineout and Itoje's been good at set piece but not much else other than that. Webb clears and finds touch just beyond the 22.
1 MINUTE LATER: Some really good sniping plays from the Blues with Pulu and SBW right at the heart of it. But SBW knocks on and it's a Lions scrum. SBW has been HUUUUGE tonight, you have to say he's a shoo-in for the All Blacks.
1 MINUTE LATER: Lions run it from inside their 22 to just outside. Webb clears but doesn't find touch. The Blues retain the ball but then pass it over the touchline on halfway.
1 MINUTE LATER: Now it's time for the Lions to attack and they're not doing anything particularly experimental and they're driven back before Henshaw decides to grubber it into the Blues 22.
2 MINUTES LATER: James Parsons makes a 60m break before the Blues drill it into the Lions' corner and the visitors retrieve the ball. Rhys Webb clears but only to Rieko Ioane. Blues ball on the Lions' 10m.
2 MINUTES LATER: After a series of knockons, the Blues get a penalty on the Lions 22. And Ihaia West who came on for Perofeta points to the sticks.
1 MINUTE LATER: West slots it. Blues up by 5.
2 MINUTES LATER: Lions have the ball in the Blues half and Sexton goes for a midfield bomb. It could be foul play against the Lions here who tackles Duffie in the air.
The Lions had the penalty advantage but they went for the midfield bomb and the Blues get the penalty for Duffie being tackled in the air.
1 MINUTE LATER: West goes for the wipers kick but the Lions have it on half way.
1 MINUTE LATER: Lions looking to up the tempo and they have it on the Blues 10m line. They're not really making a lot of territory but Henshaw dribbles it into the Blues 22 and they have the lineout.
1 MINUTE LATER: Blues win the lineout well and Pulu makes a box kick, but Duffie goes up for the ball again and is taken by a Lions player. Could be another penalty to the Blues here.
YELLOW CARD LIONS - LIAM WILLIAMS: Blues win the penalty again. Outstanding work by Matt Duffie but it's Williams again. Unfortunate but the Lions winger was beaten again
West takes the Blues into the Lions 22 and they have a very good attacking chance here. Blues ring some changes.
2 MINUTES LATER: Blues attacking on the Lions 22. A little knock on in the tackle with a Lions hand getting to it, it's Blues scrum on the Lions 22. This could be yuge for the Blues.
1 MINUTE LATER: Forward pass from Ihaia West out to Rieko Ioane. Ioane scores but the ref calls it back. That's solid work from Ioane, unstoppable.
1 MINUTE LATER: Lions earn a penalty before the scrum even engages. Sexton goes for the line. A bit of a reprieve there for the visitors who have been under the pump. Lions lineout on halfway.
1 MINUTE LATER: Blues sack the Lions drive deliciously and Rhys Webb gets a box kick in and the Lions get it back. On the Blues 10m line.
1 MINUTE LATER: Lions get their grunt going and are just outside the Blues 22m line. Defence holding firm but Lions look threatening. However they're just shovelling it side to side.
1 MINUTE LATER: Lions looking a little out of ideas but they still have the ball. They get a penalty just outside the Blues 22 after Pulu doesn't roll away. Better from the Lions - 15 phases! Halfpenny looks to the posts.
2 MINUTES LATER: The multi million dollar Halfpenny slots it and it's a two point game baby. Don't go anywhere, this is going down to the wire.
1 MINUTE LATER: Williams comes back on for the Lions and they have a lineout on the Blues 10m line.
1 MINUTE LATER: That was a shambles of a lineout and it's called not straight. Considering they've had a team meeting before every lineout, that's pretty poor. Scrum Blues on their own 10m line. Lions' captain Ken Owens comes off.
1 MINUTE LATER: Scrum penalty Lions! Really big scrum by the visitors there and the Blues can't keep up. Leigh Halfpenny points to the sticks and they have a chance to take the lead back here.
2 MINUTES LATER: Halfpenny earns his paycheque and kicks it from about 40 out on a pretty tough angle. Lions hit the lead but it's not over yet.
1 MINUTE LATER: Blues knock on from the kick off but Lions play on. Lions ball on their own 22 and Webb clears, again.
Lions get a maul turn over and their players are going off! Back slaps all over the shop.
1 MINUTE LATER: The Lions are close here and they can sense it. There's a little bit of a feeling around the ground that the momentum has turned. Lions ball on halfway.
1 MINUTE LATER, WEST TRY: Amazing!!!!! Luatua hand off to Sonny Bill Williams who hands off to Ihaia West. Incredible. Under the posts!!!
1 MINUTE LATER: Absolutely stunning and the Blues take a six point lead. The game has just turned like that folks. Amazing. An electric crowd and the Lions are in strife.
1 MINUTE LATER: Lions regain the kick off and they're on attack on the Blues 22. Big d needed by the home team here. Lions need to dig deep.
1 MINUTE LATER: Lions attacking well on the Blues 22 but they can't crack this d. Here come the Lions!!
BLUES PENALTY!!! Impressive from the Lions but they earn a penalty at the breakdown
1 MINUTE LATER: The Lions were just 6m out from the Blues line. Ihaia West clears and it's not a great kick but the Blues have the ball. Lions will do everything to disrupt this lineout.
1 MINUTE LATER: Blues win the lineout and all they need to do is close it out. Blues forwards are pick and driving and they just want to hang on to the ball.
Lions win a penalty!!!!!
1 MINUTE LATER, BLUES WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FULL TIME: THE LIONS HAVE BEEN BEATEN. They coughed the ball up from the lineout and all the Blues had to do is put it out. And it's done!
FULL TIME: Don't go anywhere and we'll have the highlights for you right now as the taiaha is presented to James Parsons.
Final score Blues 22, British and Irish Lions 16
Blues 22 - 16 British and Irish Lions
And what do I think of the game, it was absolutely amazing & it is good that the Blues won by becoming the 1st Super Rugby team to topple the British & Irish Lions & what about Sonny Bill Williams? He had a strong game that makes it look too easy & he is quite good enough to be an All Black like no other & SBW has been awarded man of the match (Or player of the game) efforts compared to Taulupe 'Toby' Faletau against the NZ Provincial Barbarians.
So that is my 114th blog of the year 2017 (MMXVII)...until next time it is bye from us.
P.S. And the All Blacks have revealed our squad for the Pasifika Challenge test against Samoa & the British & Irish Lions test series so here it is:
Hookers
Dane Coles (Wellington/Hurricanes)
Liam Coltman (Otago/Highlanders) *1
Nathan Harris (Bay Of Plenty/Chiefs)
Codie Taylor (Canterbury/Crusaders)
Props
Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury/Crusaders)
Charlie Faumuina (Auckland/Blues)
Owen Franks (Canterbury/Crusaders)
Joe Moody (Canterbury/Crusaders)
Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Auckland/Blues)
Locks
Scott Barrett (Cantebury/Crusaders)
Vaea Fifita (Wellington/Hurricanes) *1
Brodie Retallick (Hawke's Bay/Chiefs)
Luke Romano (Canterbury/Crusaders)
Sam Whitelock (Canterbury/Crusaders)
Loose forwards
Sam Cane (Bay Of Plenty/Chiefs)
Akira Ioane (Auckland/Blues) *1
Jerome Kaino (Auckland/Blues)
Kieran Read (Captain, Canterbury/Crusaders)
Ardie Savea (Wellington/Hurricanes)
Liam Squire (Tasman/Highlanders)
Matt Todd (Canterbury/Crusaders) *1
Halfbacks
Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Waikato/Chiefs)
TJ Perenara (Wellington/Chiefs)
Aaron Smith (Manawatu/Highlanders)
First five-eighths
Beauden Barrett (Taranaki/Hurricanes)
Aaron Cruden (Manawatu/Chiefs)
Lima Sopoaga (Southland/Highlanders)
Midfielders
Ryan Crotty (Canterbury/Crusaders)
Jack Goodhue (Canterbury/Crusaders) *1
Ngani Laumape (Manawatu/Hurricanes)
Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato/Chiefs)
Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau/Blues)
Outside Backs
Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay/Crusaders)
Rieko Ioane (Auckland/Blues)
Waisake Naholo (Taranaki/Blues)
Julian Savea (Wellington/Hurricanes)
Jordie Barrett (Taranaki/Hurricanes)
Ben Smith (Otago/Highlanders)
*1: Injury cover player
And my cousin Paige has sent me an email wishing me a happy birthday so here's her message in it's full entirety:
Hi Whetu,
Just want to wish you a very happy birthday. I hope you have had a lovely day.
Lots of love, Paige xx
And here's her reply:
Hi Whetu,
I'm glad you got my message. What did you get up to for your birthday? I saw on facebook you went out for a lovely dinner.
Hopefully you can come and visit when you are in Wellington.
Love Paige xx
And the season finale of the 2016 reboot of MacGyver is on tonight on Prime at 7:30pm.
And finally the British & Irish Lions have named their team to take on the Crusaders at AMI Stadium so here is the starting lineup anyway:
1 (Loose head prop): Mako Vunipola (England/Saracens)
2 (Hooker): Jamie George (England/Saracens)
3 (Tight head prop): Tadhg Furlong (Ireland/Leinster)
4 (Lock): Alun Wyn Jones (Captain, Wales/Ospreys)
5 (Lock): George Kruis (England/Saracens)
6 (Blindside Flanker): Peter O'Mahony (Ireland/Munster)
7 (Openside Flanker): Sean O'Brien (Ireland/Leinster)
8 (Number 8): Taulupe Faletau (Wales/Bath (England)
9 (Half-back/Scrum-half): Conor Murray (Ireland/Munster)
10 (First five eighth/Fly-half): Owen Farrell (England/Saracens)
11 (Left Wing): Liam Williams (Wales/Scarlets)
12 (Second five eighth/Inside Centre): Ben Te'o (England/Worcester Warriors)
13 (Centre/Outside Centre): Jonathan Davies (Wales/Scarlets)
14 (Right Wing): George North (Wales/Northampton Saints (England)
& 15 (Fullback): Stuart Hogg (Scotland/Glasgow Warriors)
And in the reserves are Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, CJ Stander, Rhys Webb, Johnny Sexton & Anthony Watson.
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