And the America's Cup! Is heading back to New Zealand at long last for the ages! Something that has been missing for 14 years (Our last victory is where we defended it way back in 2000 but I wonder the headlines would say: THE AMERICA'S CUP IS BACK IN NEW ZEALAND) but it has been a long time coming, because we gained revenge/utu on Jimmy Spithill's Oracle Team USA not only they beat us 4 years ago (And we did manage to avenge our demons in San Francisco but we finally did it in Bermuda just because we just came here to chew bubble gums...and they are all out of gums, groovy baby!) but hey, we just won so the Kiwis are on celebration mode so here is the news report from the official America's Cup website (And Pops managed to watch it on TV at 5am in the morning because he told me that we won just moments before I had a shower & breakfast because I only watched the presentation then after breakfast took our new pet dog named Buck for a walk & after that, I watched the race in it's entirety because not only I recorded it but man we did it! That was totally awesome! Because we're partying like it's 1995!):
Peter Burling and Emirates Team New Zealand have won the 35th America’s Cup.
Another dominant race win for Peter Burling and Emirates Team New Zealand in race nine of the America’s Cup Match, presented by Louis Vuitton, gave the Kiwi team victory on the Great Sound in Bermuda, sparking wild celebrations on board their America’s Cup Class (ACC) boat, and the team’s support boats on the Great Sound. Burling now adds the 35th America’s Cup to the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup trophy he won in San Francisco, 2013.
The Kiwi team dominated the final stage of the 35th America’s Cup, winning 8 races to ORACLE TEAM USA’s one race win, giving the New Zealanders a final winning scoreline of 7-1.
The America’s Cup was last won by a team representing New Zealand in 2000 and they are now the defenders of the America’s Cup for the 36th installment of the competition for the oldest trophy in international sport.
In the final press conference of the 35th America’s Cup, Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand, also announced that the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has accepted the challenge of Circolo della Vela Sicilia, who will be the Challenger of Record for the 36th America's Cup and will be represented by Luna Rossa.
America’s Cup Match, presented by Louis Vuitton
Race 9
Race 9 started with both Emirates Team New Zealand and ORACLE TEAM USA enjoying clean starts and engaged in a drag race to the first mark, the US team edging just ahead but then losing ground to their rivals on the run to the second mark.
Burling was serene at the helm of the Kiwi boat, displaying no nerves as he steered his team towards glory, but Spithill and the ORACLE TEAM USA crew were not giving up, pushing harder than ever to try and take the tie to race ten. However, it was not to be.
By the third mark the Challenge’s lead was up to 26 seconds, increasing further still at the fourth mark, up to 34 seconds, and from that point, barring mistakes by Burling and his all-conquering Emirates Team New Zealand crew, the die was cast.
ORACLE TEAM USA managed to peg back their rivals slightly in the latter stages of the race, but New Zealand sealed their win in impressive style, crossing the finish line for the final time in the 35th America’s Cup 55 seconds ahead of the US team.
Selected quotes from Emirates Team New Zealand, ORACLE TEAM USA and America’s Cup Event Authority
Peter Burling, helmsman, Emirates Team New Zealand:
“We’re just blown away. We came here to win the America’s Cup and right now we’re taking the America’s Cup back home to New Zealand.
“To be able to win eight races in Beautiful Bermuda in front of a big crowd of our own fans is overwhelming, we’re just happy to be able to share this moment with them, we’re just blown away.
“I’ve grown up watching this competition as a fan and to be a Kiwi and taking this Cup home is a dream come true.
“To be able to win this event at such a young age is an unreal feeling. However, I’m just a tiny part of a massive team and it is incredible to be able to reward the hard work of those hundreds of people who have supported us, not only here but back home in New Zealand as well.
“We’ve had to go through some incredibly tough times to get to this point. It has been an incredibly tough path to get past the rest of the challengers and then ORACLE TEAM USA and it’s credit to every team that competed.
“It’s so unique to get to sail these boats, every day they can be different. Our incredible shore team gave us that edge and to be able to reward their hard work and bring this Cup home with us is an amazing feeling.
“It’s just sinking in really and I think that will be the same feeling for all of those Kiwi fans watching us win the America’s Cup back home.
“For me I think the reason we won was because of what happened four years ago. This team has gone through some really tough spots from San Francisco and to be able to reward this team with the America’s Cup is the best feeling, because they are such an incredible team.
“I’d like to say thank you to Bermuda. It has been an amazing venue for a sailing event and I’ve absolutely loved this place, I’d love to come back at some stage.
Glenn Ashby, Skipper, Emirates Team New Zealand:
“It’s just an amazing feeling of satisfaction to have finally won the America’s Cup.
“It has been an incredibly tough journey to get here. We came across late to Bermuda from New Zealand and to be able to get the boat into good shape in such short time is all credit to our amazing team.
“I’m just so proud to be a part of this team and to be able to bring the Cup home and I want to thank the support of the whole country.
“What happened in 2013 was a brutal experience for everyone involved, to be so close was extremely disappointing and is something that will live with all of us for the rest of our lives.
“So to be able to come here a few years later and pull off an unbelievable victory has really redeemed that situation for New Zealand and it feels like justice has prevailed.
“I think we’ve seen some unbelievable advancements here with the boats and the type of races we’ve seen and it’s great for our sport. From a sailing perspective it’s going to be hard to sail anything else after what we’ve seen in these boats, the technology is just absolutely amazing.”
Grant Dalton, CEO, Emirates Team New Zealand:
“We’ve done it, finally!
“We probably don’t realise how big a deal this is back in New Zealand. I’ve been told that there was traffic jams at 4am with people trying to get to work just to see the races, which is utterly incredible.
“We’ve had a phenomenal group of guys, we’ve battled some serious adversity but as a group we’ve overcome everything. There have been a lot of people behind that and none more so than Matteo De Nora, who has stuck with the team through thick and thin and believed in everything that we have done. New Zealand owes a lifetime of gratitude to him for what we have achieved.
“We thought outside of the square and we did it our way. After San Francisco we knew we couldn’t out-spend other teams here so we had to out-think everyone. One of the things to come out of San Francisco is that we were out-designed and we knew this time round that we had to push that area.
“This time round we had no restrictions on design. We just wanted to see what we could come up with and we have achieved some truly amazing things that have been revolutionary in this sport.
“After San Francisco we had a pretty tough debrief and came up with 20 points that we had to change. One of those was that we had to invest in technology and the people that provide it. We also had to get our arms around the next generation of yachtsmen that were coming through and Peter (Burling) was one of those.
“He told me he wanted to be helmsman, so it was all about investing in the right people and giving them the responsibility to go out and achieve what we knew we could.
“It is important that we make the next America’s Cup affordable but we also need to remember that it is the America’s Cup and it is one of the top sports and not a little beach regatta. It is never going to be cheap.
“It is a fine balance between not making it prohibitively expensive, but not being so cheap that it devalues the competition.
“At the core of what we believe, we have to create an event that takes a lot of the good that has happened here, because there been a lot of good here. Just because we didn’t sign the Framework Agreement, that doesn’t mean to say there weren’t elements we didn’t agree with, it was just didn’t agree with every element.
“To me it is a privilege to host the America’s Cup. It is not a right and we will put in place rules and an organisation of our own that will do everything to be good enough.”
Jimmy Spithill, Skipper, ORACLE TEAM USA:
“On behalf of the whole of ORACLE TEAM USA, congratulations to Emirates Team New Zealand. What an incredible team. They’ve been a class above everyone in the 35th America’s Cup and we take our hats off to you. Well done.
“They sailed better than anyone else out here and so, rightly so, they are the 35th America’s Cup champions.
“The defeat hasn’t really sunk in yet and it is definitely weird looking at the trophy and knowing we won’t be taking it home.
“With hindsight there are a lot of things you would like to change but I think it’s far too early to say what might have gone wrong.
“Finally, I want to say, to Bermuda, you’ve welcomed us to your beautiful island and we’ve loved every moment of it. Thank you.”
Sir Russell Coutts, CEO, America’s Cup Event Authority, was quick to acknowledge the first New Zealand victory in the America’s Cup since 2000, saying, “I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations and praise to everyone in Emirates Team New Zealand for winning the 35th America’s Cup.
“Helmed brilliantly by Peter Burling, with the guiding influence of skipper Glenn Ashby, supported by a world class sailing, design and shore team, they performed magnificently here in Bermuda, winning in dominant fashion.
“I know just how much this victory means to the team and to the people of New Zealand. This is a remarkable achievement, one that will be rightly celebrated in Bermuda and across New Zealand and I hope those celebrations live long in the memory, much as the team’s victory in Bermuda has now written a new chapter in the history of the America’s Cup. Congratulations Emirates Team New Zealand. You deserve your victory, you deserve the accolades coming your way, and now, you deserve to enjoy it.”
And here is another news report coming from Radio New Zealand:
"We're on top of the world." Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling, 26 - the youngest person to win the race for the America's Cup - put it nicely after comfortably beating Oracle Team USA in the dash for the Auld Mug today.
His syndicate won this morning's first race in Bermuda to give it an emphatic 7-1 win over the holders.
The victory quells the nightmare of four years ago when Team USA's Australian helmsman Jimmy Spithill and his crew turned an 8-1 deficit against Team New Zealand into a 9-8 victory and a successful defence of the oldest trophy in international sport.
Both catamarans started side by side on the start line today, but the Americans got to the first mark with a three second advantage over Team New Zealand.
By the time they reached the end of the second leg, the New Zealanders had turned their deficit into a five second advantage after getting on the inside of Team USA.
Halfway through the third leg, Team New Zealand had extended its lead to over 100m as its superior boat speed in light winds got the better of Spithill.
At the top of the third leg, it had extended to 26 seconds, close to 250m, even though both boats were averaging speeds just over 21 knots.
At gate four, the New Zealanders were 35 seconds ahead by but by the next gate that was cut to 26 seconds after a slightly sloppy gate entry from Burling.
On the final downwind leg, Team New Zealand put the pedal to the metal and ended with a whopping 350m lead and a 55-second victory.
Burling was elated following the win.
"It's just unreal. It's exactly what we came here to do and we're just on top of the world.
"It's been three years of hard work from so many people in this team and this exactly what we came here for."
It was heartache for Team USA's helmsman, Spithill, who fought back the tears while being gracious in defeat.
"What a series. [They] made fewer mistakes and they fully deserve it, so our hats are off to them.
"You've really got to give credit to what an incredible job they've done but let's not forget they also sailed very, very well."
Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton said the team had battled serious adversity and had to think outside the square.
"After [the defeat in] San Francisco we knew we couldn't outspend them [Oracle].
"If they outspent us 5 to 1, if they needed to go to 7 to one they would, so we had to out-think them."
San Francisco taught the New Zealanders they were out-designed and they had to "throw the ball out as far as we can and see if we and get to it " and have no restriction on design," he said.
"And just see what we can do here."
It's the first time New Zealand has held the Auld Mug since 2003.
And here is another news report coming straight out of Stuff News:
The America's Cup is coming back to New Zealand.
Four years after falling agonisingly short against Oracle Team USA, Team New Zealand buried the ghosts of San Francisco as they beat the Americans by 55 seconds in race nine to record an emphatic 7-1 series victory.
Having dominated Oracle throughout the battle of Bermuda, the Kiwis went into Monday's (Tuesday NZ time) race in the exact same position as 2013; one win away from glory with a seemingly unassailable lead.
But unlike 2013, there was to be no epic collapse this time around.
Led by cool-headed skipper Glenn Ashby and brilliant young helmsman Peter Burling the Kiwis produced another flawless performance, grabbing the lead in the second leg to once again leave Oracle in their wake.
"I don't think we'd be here without the heartache of San Francisco," said Burling, who was sailing in his first America's Cup campaign.
"It's unreal, this is exactly what we came here to do. I'm just on top of world.
"It's been three years of hard work, probably 100 people working at one time at this goal."
It was a truly remarkable campaign from the Kiwis, who overcame a terrifying capsize in the challenger semifinals to win the Auld Mug for the first time since 2000.
While Burling has been the face of the team, multihull expert Ashby, the only surviving member of the 2013 crew, was the glue that held it together and Burling played tribute to the 39-year-old and the rest of his teammates.
"Obviously he plays massive part in what we do but Blair (Tuke) as well trimming the foils, everyone in whole team," he added. "You can see how much we're all ecstatic about what we managed to achieve here.
"It's going to be a good night."
New Zealand's chief tormentor in San Francisco, Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill again did all he could to unsettle his rivals both on and off the water.
However, the 'Pitbull' was gracious in defeat, conceding that they were simply beaten by the better team.
"We're obviously disappointed but first of all full credit to Team New Zealand, what a series," the Australian said. "They made fewer mistakes and they fully deserve it so our hats are off to them.
"We were obviously focused getting that lead at the first mark and the boys did a great job. But unfortunately they were the quicker boat today downwind for sure. I thought upwind the boats were more competitive but downwind they had the speed."
After two heavy defeats on Sunday (Monday NZ time), Spithill faced questions as whether he would hand the wheel over to tactician Glenn Ashby today.
But while he was on the helm as usual, the 37-year-old said he had not contemplated his future.
"I've just spent so much time and energy really focusing on one day at a time," Spithill said.
"I really want to go and thank the entire team and we'll take it from there."
Having been embarrassed in the starts by Burling on Sunday (Monday NZ time), Spithill cleaned up his act to lead by three seconds at the first mark.
It did not last for long, though, as a crucial gybe from Team NZ saw them overtake the Americans and reach the lay line first at gate two.
While shifty conditions meant no lead was safe, New Zealand made significant gains throughout the third leg to make the turn 26 seconds in front.
In a search for more breeze, the Americans conceded more ground as the teams went upwind for the final time.
Spithill had caused New Zealand problems during the fifth leg in previous races but, while they managed to cut the deficit by 10 seconds, Burling and co remained solid throughout to seal their place in history.
And what do I think of the race? It was astonishing, beautiful & marvelous epic display from Emirates Team New Zealand (Skippered by Australian born Glenn Ashby (Who was the sole survivor of our ill fated campaign at San Francisco in 2013) while London silver medalist & Rio gold medalist Peter Burling (Well he is the Beauden Barrett of sailing because I did not know that Burling hails from Tauranga) is the helmsman but Dean Barker is long gone because he is now the skipper for SoftBank Team Japan who lost to the team we beat in the Louis Vuitton challenger series from Sweden. Artemis (Skippered by Aussie Nathan Outteridge who went overboard during the race) because we beat Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing (Who collided with SoftBank Team Japan during the race & not only after Ben Ainslie was called up 4 years ago in San Francisco by Oracle Team USA to replace John Kostecki in order to complete a greatest miracle comeback possible) in the semifinal but we started our America's Cup campaign -1 because Oracle Team USA had a bonus point) there. But commiserations for Oracle Team USA, as they did put up a fair fight for the Auld Mug. Me oh my I have enjoyed that? Yes boy! (In the famous words of former 81 test All Black halfback turned rugby commentator, Justin Marshall...Well it is business as usual but we mustn't look back in anger) But the Australian media claim that Australasia had won the America's Cup because of Glenn Ashby who is an Aussie while fellow Aussie Jimmy Spithill finally claimed to be the loser at all for Oracle Team USA. And how did we improvise the boat to get it repaired after we took a nose dive against Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing? I wonder why because we did overcome & done the damage to the broken foils at any time in Bermuda in which we won the cup in a seriously damaged state.
And the history of the America's Cup goes back to 1851 when the Americans have long held the world's oldest international trophy for 132 years but only 4 nations have won the America's Cup such as the United States, Australia (Who had finally broken through in 1983 by winning the Auld Mug in Newport, Rhode Island, USA), New Zealand (We 1st competed in 1987 in Fremantle, Australia then we 1st won it in 1995 in San Diego, California, USA (You know what yachting commentator Peter Montgomery used to say when we 1st won it: ''The America's Cup...Is now New Zealand's cup'') & we successfully defended it in 2000 in Auckland, New Zealand (Although Montgomery used to say when we successfully defended it: ''The America's Cup! Is still...New Zealand's cup'') & Switzerland (1st won it in 2003 in Auckland & successfully defended it in 2007 in Valencia, Spain because Switzerland was a landlocked country).
And of course the next America's Cup will be held in Auckland in 4 years time actually because we might be taking on the Italians (Matteo de Nora is our team principal at Emirates Team New Zealand) such as Luna Rossa (Even Patrizio Bertelli backed Emirates Team New Zealand all the way as well as former French sailor Bruno Trouble who's heading to New Zealand because we just won & from the likes of both 'Mr America's Cup/Big Bad' Dennis Conner (Once public enemy number 1 in New Zealand along with Kiwi born Wallaby Quade Cooper) & Brad Butterworth (Russell Coutts's old sparring partner) as our challenger of record which will be opened up by other challengers such as Alinghi (Owned by Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli who also backed Emirates Team New Zealand to win the Auld Mug).
And finally I will update on the final midweek game of the New Zealand Lions Series sponsored by DHL between the Hurricanes & the British & Irish Lions tomorrow.
So that is my 120th blog of the year 2017 (MMXVII). Fare thee well.
P.S. And the final midweek game between the Hurricanes & the British & Irish Lions has been played last night but the match ended in a draw so here is the live commentary of the game from Newshub:
Hello (Kia Ora) & welcome to live updates of the Hurricanes hosting the British and Irish Lions at Westpac stadium in Wellington.
We bring you live streaming written commentary, and all the action.
Commentary will start from around 7:30 pm (NZT). In the meantime check out the video above as Chris Boyd talks about being the last Super Rugby team to face the British and Irish Lions.
Lineups
Hurricanes
1. Ben May, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Jeffery To'omaga-Allen, 4. Mark Abbott, 5. Sam Lousi, 6. Vaea Fifita, 7. Callum Gibbins, 8. Brad Shields (c), 9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 10. Otere Black, 11. Julian Savea, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Vince Aso, 14. Nehe Milner-Skudder, 15. Jordie Barrett
Reserves: 16. Leni Apisai, 17. Chris Eves, 18. Mike Kainga, 19. James Blackwell, 20. Reed Prinsep, 21. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, 22. Wes Goosen, 23. Cory Jane
Lions
1. Joe Marler, 2. Rory Best (c), 3. Dan Cole, 4. Iain Henderson, 5. Courtney Lawes, 6. James Haskell, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. CJ Stander, 9. Greig Laidlaw, 10. Dan Biggar, 11. George North, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 14. Tommy Seymour, 15. Jack Nowell
Reserves: 16. Kristian Dacey, 17. Allan Dell, 18. Tomas Francis, 19. Cory Hill, 20. George Kruis, 21. Gareth Davies, 22. Finn Russell, 23. Leigh Halfpenny
Match facts and stats
Referee: Romain Poite (FRA)
Last time Lions played: All Blacks 30 def Lions 15, June 24, 2017
Last time Hurricanes played: Chiefs 17 def Hurricanes 14, June 9, 2017
Last time Lions played at Westpac Stadium: All Blacks 48 def Lions 18, July 2, 2005
Lions record in Wellington: Played 30, won 16, lost 12, drawn 2
7:15 pm: SQUAD UPDATE: Kiwi Jared Payne will miss tonight's clash due to headaches. He will be replaced by Leigh Halfpenny.
7:32 pm: Near full capacity in Wellington. The Lions are the first team out onto the field.
7:33 pm: Brad Shields leads the Hurricanes out.
KICKOFF: We are underway in Wellington. The home-side have first use of the ball.
1ST MINUTE: Brad Shields takes the catch from the kickoff. Two plays later Jordie Barrett clears the ball down to Jack Nowell.
2ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The Hurricanes have possession againand they go wide early and Vinco Aso makes a great run, but on the next play, Jordie Barrett drops the ball and the Lions have the first scrum on the match.
3RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Lions win a free-kick at the scrum and Laidlaw takes the quick tap. The Lion struggle to make ground and after two plays, Laidlaw drops the ball at the breakdown and now the Hurricanes have a scrum inside their half.
4TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): From the scrum, the Hurricanes kick and pin the Lions inside the five. They clear the ball and the Canes counter.
5TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Another knock on by the home side gives the Lions another scrum, just inside their half.
6TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Massive scrum by the Hurricanes and they turn the ball over. But the referee blows his whistle and it is a penalty to the Lions. Players from both teams start pushing each other.
The Canes were penalised for going in on the angle at the scrum.
7TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Lions kick for touch and have a lineout inside Hurricanes territory.
8TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The Lions push and get inside the 22. After seven phases, the Lions win a penalty right in front of the posts and they will go for the points.
10TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY GOAL LIONS: Dan Biggar kicks the penalty goal and the Lions lead 3-0 in Wellington.
11TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Iain Henderson gets the kick off and powers forwards, making at least 15 metres with the ball. Laidlaw then kicks the ball to Jordie Barrett and he returns fire with a rocket into the heavens.
12TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Back to back penalties to the Lions and they are back inside the 22 again.
13TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Now the Hurricanes win a penalty as the Lions did not release. Both teams start puhsing each other again.
14TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Hurricanes scrum inside their 22, and the Canes run the ball out.
15TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Hurricanes win their first penalty of the match, and Jordie Barrett kick the ball into touch.
16TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Hurricanes attack down the wing and Julian Savea nearly runs into the 22. Two plays later they are 10 metres out.
17TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY LIONS: Against the run of play, the Lions score. Greig Laidlaw intercepts the ball and is chased down, but fellow Scotsman Tommy Seymour is in support and he dives over for his second try of the tour.
18TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Biggar lands the conversion.
19TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The Lions thump the ball downfield and Jordie Barrett attacks the line. They then kick the ball downfield into space and Dan Biggar dives on the loose ball. Laidlaw then clears the ball away.
21ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Eight phases now the Lions inside Hurricanes territory.
22ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Lions win another penalty for a dangerous tackle, and they will go for goal 48 metres out.
23RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL LIONS: Dan Biggar lands the penalty goal and the Lions extend the lead in Wellington.
24TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Otere Black attack the line and offloads to Ngani Laumape and he goes on a big run into the Lions 22. Two plays later they attack down the short side but they give the ball away and the Lions clear.
26TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The Lions drop the ball and the Hurricanes have a scrum 22 out from the line. Can they score here?
They win a free kick and Brad Shields takes a quick tap.
28TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY HURRICANES: Callum Gibbins goes over and the Hurricanes score their first points of the game. Nice simple drive over the line to score.
29TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Jordie Barrett lands the conversion. The referee was going to check the try but the TMO saw the ball being grounded.
30TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): From the restart, the Hurricanes are penalised for obstruction and the Lions will go for the 3 points.
31ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL LIONS: Another penalty goal to Dan Biggar and the Lions lead 16-7.
33RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Leigh Halfpenny goes to clear the ball, but slips in doing so and the ball doesn't go far. The Hurricanes are right back on the attack, but drop the ball and the Lions have possession.
34TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Laidlaw clears the ball and Julian Savea missed the ball and it is dropped by Callum Gibbins. The Lions attack and then the referee stops play. The Lions win another penalty, but a poor kick by Dan Biggar keeps the ball in play.
35TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Jack Nowell attacks down the wing and he throws the ball back infield and it bounces off the chest of a fellow teammate and the Hurricanes clear.
36TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY LIONS: George North is over under the posts. Leigh Halfpenny jumps for the high ball and the ball bounces and George North gathers the ball and runs over. The Hurricanes are in unfamiliar territory in Wellington.
37TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Another conversion goes over for the Lions. They lead 23-7.
39TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Lions clear th ball after A Hurricanes mistake. The homeside counter and now they have a penalty advantage.
40TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Julian Savea with a nice run and the Hurricanes are inside the 22. Next play the referee comes back for the penalty advantage, They will kick for touch and have a line out.
41ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Another penalty to the Hurricanes for being offside at the maul. The Hurricanes will go for another line out.
HALFTIME: Great defence by the Lions and they win the penalty. They go into the sheds leading the Super Rugby champions 23-7. This is some poor rugby by the Hurricanes. I must admit. They don't look anything like the defending Super Rugby champions.
40TH MINUTE: The second half is underway in Wellington. The Lions have first use of the ball.
41ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): TRY HURRICANES: Only a minute in and it looks like a new Hurricanes team. Ngani Laumape goes over after a fantastic run. Julian Savea gets put into a gaping hole and the new All Blacks midfielder scoots over smashing Dan Biggar in the process.
42ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Jordie Barrett kicks the conversion.
43RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Messy play by both teams and now the home side has a scrum just inside Lions territory.
44TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Now the Hurricanes win a penalty. Finn Russell is now on the field for the Lions as Dan Biggar goes for a HIA
46TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Jordie Barrett takes a shot at goal from 45 out, but it goes wide.
47TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Dan Biggar comes back onto the field. That did not last long for Finn who has made his Lions debut. Hurricanes scrum 22 out from the line.
48TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The Hurricanes throw the ball around and a pass goes to the ground but the referee was playing an advantage. Both sides start pushing each other around again. The Hurricanes are not happy as the Lions keep throwing the ball away.
49TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL HURRICANES: A rare penalty goal by the Hurricanes and now the Lions lead by six points.
50TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi goes to clear the ball and Iain Henderson reads the play perfectly and charges the kick down. Lions now 10 out with a penalty advantage.
51ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), YELLOW HARD HURRICANES: Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi goes to the bin for a high shot, & coming in from a offside position.
52ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL LIONS: Dan Biggar kicks the penalty goal. Lions leading 26-17.
53RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The Lions kick the ball high and Jordie Barrett drops the ball and guess who?? Iain Henderson has the ball and the Lions are five out from the line.
54TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Iain Henderson goes over the line and the Lions claim a try. TMO George Ayoub will take a look.
No clear evidence to award the try means the Lions have a scrum 5 out. Plus they have a 1 man advantage.
55TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY LIONS: Tommy Seymour goes over for his second of the nights. Nice simply play, the Lions catch the Canes napping and have the overlap out wide and the American-born, Scotland international goes over for his 3rd try of the tour.
57TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Both sides making changes as we approach the last quarter of the match. Hurricanes have a scrum.
58TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Otere Black goes for a run following the scrum. They are making ground, but not much.
59TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Hurricanes turn the ball over and the Lions clear. Canes scrum on the halfway line.
61ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Ngani Laumape finds some space, but the Lions win the race to the ball. The ball goes into touch and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi returns to the field.
62ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): George North goes over for his second but the referees want to check it. But they don't have to go to the TMO cause George Ayoub said North had his foot in touch.
63RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): North put his foot on the line. Very unlucky.
65TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Now the TMO is back in play as they want to check for potential foul play.
YELLOW CARD LIONS: Iain Henderson was playing his way into a Test jersey, but now any chances of that appear to be over. Very dangerous tackle by the Irish lock lifting Jordie Barrett over the horizontal.
66TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Hurricanes kick the ball into touch and now are inside the 22.
67TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): TRY HURRICANES: We have a ball game on our hands in Wellington. The Hurricanes attack close then, Jordie Barrett gets the ball, throws the ball over the top and Wes Goosen goes over for the home team. Barrett kicks the goal and the Lions lead by 7.
69TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Hurricanes are right back on the attack inside the 22.
70TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Vaea Fifita goes over and the Hurricanes claim the try. They look confident but the TMO wants to have a look.
TRY HURRICANES: TIE GAME IN WELLINGTON 31-31. The try is given. What a turn around this has been by the Hurricanes.
72ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Big mistake by Leigh Halfpenny who drops the ball inside Lions territory. They Canes have all the momentum with a one-man advantage.
74TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The Canes are 15 out from the line. But a bad pass and they Hurricanes are now 22 out with 6 minutes to go.
75TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): 11 phases and still 22 metres out. The Hurricanes trying to win a penalty.
76TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Jordie Barrett nearly breaks through. 19 phases now and 10 out.
77TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): But now we are going up to the TMO for a neck roll by one of the Hurricanes players.
It is a penalty and the Lions have the chance to clear the ball.
The Hurricanes go over the line after 23 phases, but they drop the ball. 3 minutes to go. Iain Henderson is back on.
78TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The Lions drive forward and are inside Hurricanes territory. They are 40 out.
79TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Final minute. 35 out and 10 phases down. The Lions are slowly making ground.
Turnover to the Hurricanes. The Lions were 22 out and Sam Lousi wins the turnover.
80TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Hurricanes scrum.
81ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The Hurricanes run out the 22, but Dan Biggar turns the ball over.
FULLTIME: Dan Biggar goes for the drop goal which goes under the posts and the ball goes out. 31-31 is the final score. The Hurricanes trailed 23-7 at the break and tied it up. What a match.
HURRICANES 31 - 31 LIONS
And the All Blacks have named their team against the British & Irish Lions for the 2nd test at Westpac Stadium in Wellington so here is the starting lineup:
1 (Loose head prop): Joe Moody (Canterbury/Crusaders)
2 (Hooker): Codie Taylor (Canterbury/Crusaders)
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): Sam Cane (Bay Of Plenty/Chiefs)
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): Rieko Ioane (Auckland/Blues)
12 (Second five eighth): Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau/Blues)
13 (Centre): Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato/Chiefs)
14 (Right Wing): Waisake Naholo (Taranaki/Highlanders)
& 15 (Fullback): Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay/Crusaders)
And in the reserves are Nathan Harris, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden (Who had won his place ahead of Lima Sopoaga) & Ngani Laumape (Who will make his test debut tomorrow on the bench).
And the Lions have also named their team to take on the All Blacks this Saturday:
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 (Wales/Ospreys)
5 (Lock): Maro Itoje (England/Saracens)
6 (Blinside Flanker): Sam Warburton (Captain, Wales/Cardiff Blues)
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): Jonathan Sexton (Ireland/Leinster)
11 (Left Wing): Elliot Daly (England/Wasps)
12 (Second five eighth/Inside Centre): Owen Farrell (England/Saracens)
13 (Centre/Outside Centre): Jonathan Davies (Wales/Scarlets)
14 (Right Wing): Anthony Watson (England/Bath)
& 15 (Fullback): Liam Williams (Wales/Scarlets)
And in the reserves are Ken Owens, Jack McGrath, Kyle Sinckler, Courtney Lawes, CJ Stander, Rhys Webb, Ben Te'o & Jack Nowell.
And a stranded British & Irish Lions fan named Alex Edwards (Actually he was born in England) may have claimed to have stayed at Akira & Rieko (Well I label Rieko Ioane as the Lions slayer because he was a 2 try hero in the 1st test) Ioane's parents home (The parents are former Samoan international Eddie Ioane (Who played at the 1991 Rugby World Cup) & his wife is Sandra Wihongi (An ex-Black Fern) by accident when he spent a night on the couch & not only because he was invited by both of them whose accommodation in Auckland fell through the night before the Lions played the Blues on the 6th of June.
And finally there are several email messages coming through but the 1st one is from Kathryn:
Dear Whetu
I didn't watch it but Ken watched all of it. He loved it. I gather it was very exciing. Yes we did win the Auld Mug. Did you watch it?
And the 2nd one is from Aunty Tania (I had a chat to her today so I told Buck about it):
Dear Whetu
Thank you for your email - what brilliant news!!!! I have seen it on stuff news too, but I haven't been able to watch any of the racing - and I love watching the Americas Cup races. Totally brilliant that NZ won and what a thrashing they gave.
How are you and Pops doing? Are you enjoying having a dog? He looks really cute. We have been really busy, but I hope to call you guys this weekend if I manage to get hold of you.
Thanks for your email - I can hear your excitement in your words - love it.
Love and hugs
Aunty Tania (and your friend, Giuseppe sends a big bonjour too)
And the 3rd one is from my American colleague Diana Kent:
Dear Whetu,
I didn't watch the America's Cup, but saw on the news later that the Emirates team had won. Because I love New Zealand as well as the USA I get to be happy when either wins!
Congratulations N.Z.!
And the last one is from Cathey's daughter & my cousin, Paige Williams (I told Buck that Paige is my cousin as well as her mother Cathey Middelplaats is my biological aunty yesterday). So here's the message in it's full entirety:
Hi Whetu,
I saw that we won how awesome is that!
I'm going to the all blacks game tomorrow so make sure you look out for me :)
How are you going and what are you getting up to this weekend?
Love Paige xx
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