In The End/One Step Closer/What I've Done: Super Rugby round 15 (Australia & New Zealand only) review & the 2017 British & Irish Lions rugby tour report episode 1: NZ Provincial Barbarians

Kia Ora, G'day & Talofa Lava, welcome to this bumper Queen's Birthday weekend of rugby as round 15 of Super Rugby gets underway for only Aussie & Kiwi teams as the Blues take on the Reds at Apia Park in Apia, Samoa but the Blues win by 5 points but are out of the playoff picture & the turnout appeared to be low due to expensive ticket prices in an historic clash being played then the Crusaders are still undefeated because they're 14 & 0 now by producing a great Southern derby victory over the Highlanders at AMI Stadium in Christchurch with a match winning drop goal scored by reserve 1st five eighth Mitch Hunt then the Chiefs celebrated in style in Stephen 'Beaver' Donald's 100th appearance with a win over the Waratahs at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton with a James Lowe hat-trick & finally my beloved Hurricanes comfortably defeated the Western Force at nib Stadium in Perth with a TJ Perenara magic by pulling out some ridiculous backyard footy skills to the test by unleashing some masterclass during the 2nd half.

So that was Round 15 (Australia & New Zealand) of the 2017 Super Rugby season and here are the matches for Round 16 (New Zealand only):

Hurricanes Vs Chiefs: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

And finally the Lions tour to New Zealand is now under starter's orders as the British & Irish Lions coached by Warren Gatland & led by Welshman Sam Warburton take on the NZ Provincial Barbarians (Which is a team consisting of semi-professional players who play in the Mitre 10 Cup) featuring Warren's son & first five-eighth Bryn Gatland (Who plays for both North Harbour & the Blues as injury cover for Ihaia West) at Toll Stadium (Okara Park) in Whangarei, so here's the live updates coming right at you:

Kia ora and welcome to live updates of the Lions' first match on their 2017 Tour of New Zealand against the Provincial Barbarians at Toll Stadium in Whangarei.

We bring you live streaming written commentary.

Commentary will start from around 7.30pm (NZT). In the meantime check out the video above as Lions' players attempt to locate the country's best pie.

Lineups

New Zealand Provincial Barbarians

15. Luteru Laulala 14. Sam Vaka 13. Inga Finaun 12. Dwayne Sweeney 11. Sevu Reece 10. Bryn Gatland 9. Jack Stratton 8. Mitchell Dunshea 7. Lachlan Boshier 6. James Tucker 5. Keepa Mewett 4. Josh Goodhue 3. Oliver Jager 2. Sam Anderson-Heather (captain) 1. Aidan Ross.

Reserves: 16. Andrew Makalio 17.Tolu Fahamokioa 18. Marcel Renata 19. Matt Matich 20. Peter Rowe 21. Richard Judd 22. Jonah Lowe 23. Joe Webber

British & Irish Lions

15. Stuart Hogg 14. Anthony Watson 13.  Jonathan Joseph 12. Ben Te'o 11. Tommy Seymour 10. Jonathan Sexton 9. Greig Laidlaw 8. Toby Faletau 7. Sam Warburton (capt) 6. Ross Moriarty 5. Iain Henderson 4. Alun Wyn Jones 3. Kyle Sinckler 2. Rory Best 1. Joe Marler

Reserves 16. Jamie George 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Tadhg Furlong 19. George Kruis 20. Justin Tipuric 21. Rhys Webb 22. Owen Farrell 23. Elliot Daly

7.28pm: Kia ora and welcome to Toll Stadium in Whangarei for the first match of the Lions tour to New Zealand. Great to have you with us.

7.29pm: The Lions will be expected to brush away the Provincial Barbarians tonight but there could be a twist in the tale.

7.30pm: The Lions are on the field, led out onto Toll Stadium by Sam Warburton.

7.31pm: Here come the Provincial Barbarians, what an incredible experience it would be to take on this Lions team.

7.32pm: Both teams receive a traditional Maori challenge. The atmosphere is electric.

7.33pm: Not an empty seat in the house although it's chillier than an Everest base camp.

7.35pm: Playing conditions seem good, moments away from kickoff.

KICKOFF: Bryn Gatland gets us underway.

1ST MINUTE: A mistake from the kick off by the Lions, Baabaas on the attack early doors. Not a great start to the tour by the visitors.

1 MINUTE LATER: Baabaas kick it through into the visitors' 22 but Greig Laidlaw relieves some pressure with a box kick. Baabaas take the kick off and have the ball 40 out.

1 MINUTE LATER: A great start from the Baabaas and they're awarded with a penalty. Kicking for the corner.

1 MINUTE LATER: Baabaas right on the Lions line, Gatland attempts a wipers kick but they had the advantage for a penalty right in the corner. They go for the line. What a start!

2 MINUTES LATER: Lions manage to kill the maul and get the turnover right on their line in the corner with Joe Marler coming through the middle. Good d by the visitors there.

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions win a very solid scrum and allow for a box kick by Laidlaw to clear. A mistake from the Baabaas gifts the visitors territory on their 22.

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions win an offside penalty on their 22 and are allowed to clear. Johnny Sexton kicks them into the Baabaas half, just.

1 MINUTE LATER: Baabaas just too keen and getting offside again. Lions earn another penalty and they're going to line up the sticks. Boos ring out from the crowd but it's not a silly decision.

1 MINUTE LATER: Johnny Sexton misses to the right and the crowd loves it. Baabaas take it quickly from the 22 and regather but knock on shortly after. A very attacking scrum for the Lions and they look like they're going to have a go.

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions strong on the set piece which is what we were expecting and they're on attack in the Baabaas 22.

1 MINUTE LATER: Ben Te'o dumped in a beautiful tackle from the Baabaas and they lose the ball the phase after. Great D by the Baabaas but you can see the game the Lions are trying to play, particularly with how they're using Te'o. Both teams take a breather as Baabaas players are attended to on the field.

1 MINUTE LATER: Typical Barbarians play and they run it out from their 22m. A little grubber kick is put in and a Lions player makes a mistake. Baabaas lineout on half.

2 MINUTES LATER: Barbarians on attack and Gatland puts in a kick which isn't very good which is marked by Watson. A quick turn over by the Lions and they have the ball in the Baabaas half.

1 MINUTE LATER: Another offside penalty to the Lions. Almost right in front and just outside the 22, they're going for the sticks. More boos, more outcry. But this is the Lions, they're here to do nothing but win.

1 MINUTE LATER: Sexton slots it. First points of the tour.

1 MINUTE LATER, BAABAAS HELD UP: A break by the fullback Laulala and he's over all day but a solid defensive tackle by Stuart Hogg and Taulupe Faletau and he's held up. 

1 MINUTE LATER: Should have been a try but it was butchered. Not sure the Baabaas are going to get too many better opportunities to score a try. Although they have a 5m attacking scrum. Everyone was sliding, even Angus Gardner the ref came in with a quality slide - probably about a 8 out of 10 slide.

1 MINUTE LATER: Baabaas knock it on five metres from the line in the ensuing pick and go's. Scrum Lions.

1 MINUTE LATER: Both scrums are rock solid and Sexton gets a clearing kick but it probably travelled about 10m and the Baabaas have an attacking lineout.

1 MINUTE LATER: The Baabaas use ye olde midfield bomb, regather and they're on attack 5m out.

1 MINUTE LATER, TRY BAABAAS: The crowd erupts, the stadium shakes and Sam Anderson-Heather drives over. Gatland knocks it over. What a great start from the Baabaas.

2 MINUTES LATER: Baabaas take the kick off and Gatland blasts a torp 35m downfield. Crowd goes nuts again and they get even louder when the lineout throw from Rory Best isn't straight. Scrum Baabaas on their 10.

1 MINUTE LATER: Gatland with the wipers kick that's regathered and Sam Vaka looks to run over the top of Tommy Seymour. That's what we came to see!

2 MINUTES LATER: Ball's won by the Lions who then pump it back down field. Lions then turn over the ball before losing it. Baabaas scrum on their own 22.

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions being absolutely run ragged and the Baabaas take it down field but then the Lions earn a turnover. Some super passes and the Lions are on attack on the Baabaas 22.

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions then string a few passes together and all Hogg had to do is catch and pass but the pass goes awry and Watson get's taken out. Gatland then comes up with a great clearance kick that Stuart Hogg takes into touch. Lineout in Lions half to the Baabaas. Lions starting to warm up a little with ball in hand and they are understandably a little bit rusty. Nothing to take from this Baabaas side, they've been amazing so far.

1 MINUTE LATER: A few inside balls from the Lions and they make a few mini breaks but the Baabaas are holding firm defensively. Lions on attack on the Baabaas 22.

1 MINUTE LATER: Moriarty makes a break on one side before Hogg makes a break on the other and the Scottish fullback is well held up by the Baabaas. Ben Te'o starting to show his quality with the ball in hand.

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions earn a penalty after a few phases from the 5m scrum and they're going for another scrum. Lions looking to use some of their brute strength.

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions player goes into his own man as he looks to burrow over and the Baabaas earn a penalty to the delight of the crowd. Then they get marched 10 after a lazy Lions player stops the kick to touch.

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions are hitting hard and just as I say they're not getting anywhere, the Baabaas drop it in their own half. Lions have a good attacking chance here.

1 MINUTE LATER: Really good scrums from both teams and Sexton tries the wipers kick which goes into touch on the full. You probably would have expected better from the Irish 10.

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions win the Baabaas lineout and they have the ball on the halfway line.

1 MINUTE LATER: A break from the Lions is then followed up with an error from the visitors. The Baabaas then throw a forward pass. Scrappy from both teams there. The crowd starts singing as Poi E comes on. Scrum Lions 30m out

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions getting some good go forward and they're on the Baabaas 22. Some big runs by Faletau and the Lions are held up. More good d by the Baabaas but the Lions are finding their grrrrrrrrrroove. Sorry

1 MINUTE LATER: Hooter sounds and the Lions are pushing the Baabaas defence and they're awarded a penalty. Lions take the scrum. Looks like they're trying to play Baabaas ball too.

2 MINUTES LATER, LIONS HELD UP & THAT'S HALF TIME: The crowd erupts as the Baabaas go into the break 7-3 up. What a half of football and a great show by the Barbarians despite being a little outmuscled later in the 1st half.

HALF TIME ANALYSIS: Lions were starting to find their feet later in that 1st half and they do have a very strong set piece. But this Barbarians team has played their hearts out and been resolute. Not sure how long they'll be able to stay with the Lions but they've done very well so far.

HALF TIME: It's cold but the rugby is hot hot hot. Teams are just coming out onto the field. Stay with us for the 2nd half.

40TH MINUTE: Johnny Sexton gets us underway.

1 MINUTE LATER: Gatland clears but it's just a midfield bomb. Lions now with ball in hand. Very one-up runners from the visitors though, yet to find their flair.

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions get the penalty from some errant hands in the ruck. 25m out, they go for the sticks. Greig Laidlaw taking the tee. Laidlaw eases it over from in front.

2 MINUTES LATER: Lions take it well from the kick off and Sexton throws the inside pass to Watson who gets hammered. Lions go wide and they still have the ball. Getting a bit of go forward. Sexton noodles the ball behind the Baabaas and they make about 15m but lose the ball. Baabaas lineout on their own 22.

1 MINUTE LATER: The Baabaas break out a side kick and they brilliant regather inside their own half. Ball spews out the side of a breakdown and its Baabaas lineout on their own 10m line. This Baabaas team is well drilled believe you me.

1 MINUTE LATER: Baabaas get a penalty from a high tackle and they'll get the chance to boot the ball into the Lions half. Gees this is impressive from the Baabaas.

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions players being spoken to like some school boys but they get the message, keep the gap in the lineout. Baabaas with the ball on the Lions 22m but the Lions turn it over and they run it down to half way.

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions keeping ball in hand but Alun Wyn Jones cops a slamming tackle by Andrew Makalio and the Baabaas win the ball back. What a performance from the Baabaas as Lions make some wholesale changes.

1 MINUTE LATER: Baabaas crabbing across field but they keep the ball. Lions then earn a penalty and take a quick tape. Attacking about 30m out. Then they concede a penalty to the Barbarians. Kyle Sinckler has been impressive but that quick tap wasn't his brightest moment.

3 MINUTES LATER: Baabaas half Jack Stratton throws an intercept pass but not much comes of it. Owen Farrell drills the ball into the Baabaas 22 and they clear the ball. Lions on attack on the Baabaas 22.

TRY LIONS: Anthony Watson scrambles over as the Lions outflank the Barbarians who seem to be running out of steam. Much better from the visitors and the kick goes over from Farrell. You can't say Watson deserves that but the Lions do.

2 MINUTES LATER: The Baabaas haven't played much ball this half and they're looking a little out of ideas. Gatland goes back to the midfield bomb.

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions claim the ball from the kick and are attacking the Baabaas hard. As expected, they could run over the top of them here.

1 MINUTE LATER: A big stoppage before a scrum plays down but the crowd has been magnificent. Mighty loud.

1 MINUTE LATER: Baabaas have the ball on the halfway line and Bryn Gatland says bugger this and drills the ball into the Lions 22. Lions have been much improved but still need to put the foot down.

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions take the maul in but they take the maul down and the Baabaas get the turnover. Baabaas scrum inside the Lions 22. Here we go baby, go baabaas.

1 MINUTE LATER: That scrum is a front rower's dream but the Baabaas go wide immediately and Joe Webber's just taken into touch a couple of metres out from the line.

1 MINUTE LATER: Rhys Webb makes a very good clearance kick from the 22 to the Lions 10. Baabaas lineout.

1 MINUTE LATER: AWJ is hammered again in some very solid d by the Baabaas. Lions go to the air again and the Baabaas have the ball on the half way line.

1 MINUTE LATER: Baabaas earn a penalty on the Lions 10m line despite Alun Wyn Jones getting a big hit back, and they drive it deep into the Lions 22.

1 MINUTE LATER: Baabaas lose the lineout and through an accidental offside, the Lions get a penalty near the halfway line. Farrell makes a good kick just onto the Baabaas 22. They'll be looking to maul this.

2 MINUTES LATER: A maul is exactly what they do and they earn a penalty after the Baabaas collapsed it. Farrell points to the sticks and the crowd love it - not. Farrell hits the post and the Lions make a mistake off the regather inside the Baabaas 22. Scrum Baabaas.

1 MINUTE LATER: With 13 minutes to go, the Baabaas are well and truly in this. Baabaas get the penalty from the scrum and tempers are starting to flare. No-one surely predicted the Baabaas would be playing this well. Baabaas miss touch and the Lions are back on attack.

1 MINUTE LATER: This time the Lions take the midfield bomb option and they regather through a bit of skirmish inside the Baabaas 22. But just as he gets to the 5m line, Rhys Webb drops the ball. Lions flanker Ross Moriarty is down and he doesn't look good.

2 MINUTES LATER: Baabaas get a good exit play but the kick just isn't good enough. Lions attacking lineout on the Baabaas 22. Is this the play to finish the Baabaas off?

1 MINUTE LATER: No it's not. The Lions ruin another chance and concede a penalty to the Baabaas after changing lanes. Laulala makes a very good touch finder in the Lions half.

1 MINUTE LATER: Lions regather the ball after a grubber but then kick it away. The Baabaas go down the left hand side and are hot on attack 25m out. Lions are a mile offside but it's not called.

1 MINUTE LATER: Baabaas still attacking on the Lions 22. Starting to get some good phase play and then get the scrum through a Lions knock on. This is going down to the wire!

1 MINUTE LATER: A sheep farmer from Raetahi who's never played a 1st div game is captain of the Baabaas hot on attack with a 5m scrum against the British Lions. What a time to be alive!

2 MINUTES LATER: The Baabaas lose the ball in a maul and then the Lions knock it on. A scrum to the Lions on their own 22. That may have been the opportunity to snatch a win.  

1 MINUTE LATER: It's elementary for the Lions and Farrell knocks it well down field. Baabaas have the ball though on their own 10m line. Baabaas get a penalty and have the chance to nail it into the Lions 22.

1 MINUTE LATER: I can't quite believe I'm typing these words but the Baabaas have a chance to win it here. A lineout about 40m out. Here we go!

ANOTHER PENALTY to the Baabaas. They're going deeper into the Lions half. 20m out.

1 MINUTE LATER: A big maul to the Baabaas here and Mako Vunipola steals it expertly through the middle. He kills the maul and it's the Lions ball. That was it. That was the opportunity.

1 MINUTE LATER: A free kick to the Lions and they want to put it out. That's it

FULL TIME: The Lions are lucky as the crowd stand and salute the Baabaas. What a spectacle - not the greatest match, but indeed a great spectacle. The Lions mouthing off to the Barbarians' players... Probably leaves a little to be desired from the Lions considering they struggled to overcome the Baabaas.

Provincial Barbarians 7 - 13 British & Irish Lions

So that is my 112th blog of the year 2017 (MMXVII), I'll see you next time.

P.S. And I spoke to Aunty Tania & Rejean a little bit on the phone home alone while Pops was away in Taranaki (AKA the Naki) to hear how is everything going & it felt good so Dad & Jansen came here to watch the Force-Hurricanes game because they only watched the 1st half between the Blues & the Reds & watched the Barbarians-Lions game last night (I had a blunder as I was trying to microwave the pizza but the glass plate shattered & broke so I better use microwave safe plates from now on).

And my birthday is on June 7th, hope it all goes well for me (My Dad's birthday is tomorrow on the 5th of June while Aunty Tania's birthday is in 6 days on June 10th).

And finally Real Madrid has won their 12th UEFA Champions League title with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring 2 goals to beat Juventus in the final being played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff which is Gareth Bale's homecoming.