Well, it was an eventful day on Saturday (On Friday I had to get the new F1 2017 game that I'm totally happy with because of the good ratings so the game features classic cars & I did the 1988 season on Friday then 1991 on Saturday, 1992 yesterday & 1995 today so I'm doing the 1996 one tomorrow & I had to recreate Sebastian Vettel's 4 victories in Australia, Bahrain, Monaco & Hungary of the 2017 season on Saturday then Lewis Hamilton's 4 wins in China, Spain, Canada & Britain yesterday along with Valtteri Bottas's 2 in Russia & Austria & Daniel Ricciardo's 1 in Azerbaijan & on Sunday, Dad & Jansen took me out to both the beach & the dog park with Buck) that we went to the market & had lunch there (I thought I had sausage & onion sammies but I told Pops that I love sushi so I had some sushi for lunch) before going to the foot clinic (Pops had to go there while I had to say in the car) then we headed to the rugby to see Wanganui play against Wairarapa-Bush at Cooks Gardens (We had to get some snacks at Countdown) not only because Wanganui annihilated/demolished/thrashed them so it was a great win for the butcher's boys.
And what a win for the All Blacks against the Wallabies in a tight but intense close Bledisloe Cup game because that is the best one that we have just witnessed of all time at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin so here is the live match commentary from this epic & exciting game:
A warm welcome from Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin as New Zealand host Australia in yet another Bledisloe clash. Australia will be looking for a big response after a 54-34 drubbing in Sydney last weekend. Both sides have made a couple of changes this week and this is how they line up.New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe MoodyReplacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Kane Hames, 18 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 Thomas Perenara, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Anton Lienert-BrownAustralia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Sean McMahon, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Rory Arnold, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Lopeti Timani, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Reece Hodge, 23 Curtis Rona.
Kick off is just 20 minutes away and both sides are out warming up. As always the pitch looks immaculate with the roof on, which should help the running games of both sides.
The sell-out crowd are having to wait a bit to see the teams due to a bit of drama before kick off. Michael Cheika is fuming about pre-match timings meaning Australia went back out to warm-up and left the All Blacks in the dressing rooms. That seems to have been sorted and the two sides are making their way out on the field to do the national anthems and of course the haka.
1ST MINUTE: Nigel Owens is in place and Beauden Barrett has the ball in his hands and we are underway.
TRY!: Australia (Israel Folau). New Zealand 0-5 Australia.
2ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION MISSED!: Australia (Bernard Foley). New Zealand 0-5 Australia.
3RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): What an amazing start. The All Blacks got the ball off the kick off and set off on an attack but as Damian McKenzie looked to spread the ball wide Israel Folau read it perfectly to intercept the pass and sprint 75 metres down the field to score in the 1st minute.
5TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The All Blacks show their intent by turning down a shot at 3 points and heading to the corner. That attack ends with a forward pass but they totally overpower the Wallabies at the resulting scrum and win the ball against the head, giving them another platform to attack from.
8TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Sonny Bill Williams has made his 4th handling error in just 7 minutes to relieve the pressure but the Wallabies defence is partly to thanks for a couple of those with a noticeable increase in intensity and pace.
10TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Interesting tactic from the Wallabies as Foley puts up a monster bomb for Folau, however Damian McKenzie read it well but couldn't gather the ball and knocked it into touch just 5 metres from his own line.
11TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY!: Australia (Michael Hooper). New Zealand 0-10 Australia.
12TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION!: Australia (Bernard Foley). New Zealand 0-12 Australia.
13TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The Wallabies are in again. Stephen Moore finds his man from the lineout and as they look to drive forward the All Blacks try bring them down but Michael Hooper doesn't wait for the advantage and catches the All Blacks by surprise to break through a Kieran Read tackle and score their 2nd try in the early stages.
15TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Just going upstairs to see if the Wallabies have scored a third try through Bernard Foley.
TRY!: Australia (Bernard Foley). New Zealand 0-17 Australia.
16TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION MISSED!: Australia (Bernard Foley). New Zealand 0-17 Australia.
17TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The All Blacks and their fans are stunned as the Wallabies score their 3rd try in the first quarter. It comes a retreating scrum as Will Genia gathers the ball and sets off evading Aaron Smith. The half back has support in Michael Hooper and then Bernard Foley was on his shoulder to get away from the defence.
22ND MINUTE (5 MINUTES LATER), TRY!: New Zealand (Rieko Ioane). New Zealand 5-17 Australia.
23RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION!: New Zealand (Beauden Barrett). New Zealand 7-17 Australia.
It would be fair to say that try was coming. After punting the ball deep into the corner again the All Blacks set up a driving maul and from the base of it Aaron Smith pops the ball back on the inside to Rieko Ioane who scores once again.
27TH MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): Some lovely hands and phases from the Wallabies get them deep inside the All Blacks half but a loose pass is picked up by Rieko Ioane who looked set to score. However the assistant referee said Israel Folau was taken early and the Wallabies earn a penalty.
30TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY MISSED!: Australia (Bernard Foley). New Zealand 7-17 Australia.
These missed kicks could be crucial come the final whistle with seven points now missed by Bernard Foley. Once again he hits the upright and Henry Speight gets to the deflected ball 1st but knocks it just a metre from the try line.
34TH MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): The All Blacks are just one pass away from scoring again with every phase but it just isn't going to hand and the Wallabies are holding on to date.
37TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Will Genia concedes a penalty for holding on after collecting a nice grubber from Barrett and the Read decides not to put the ball into touch but opts for the scrum just 5 metres out from the line.
39TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Ben Smith may have scored under the posts but we need the TMO to check if he was in control when grounding the ball.
Huge result for the Wallabies as Ben Smith was deemed to have lost the ball at the last second so the Wallabies survive five minutes of intense pressure and defence but it isn't over yet with another scrum under the sticks.
40TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY!: New Zealand (Aaron Smith). New Zealand 12-17 Australia.
40TH MINUTE + 1 MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION!: New Zealand (Beauden Barrett). New Zealand 14-17 Australia.
40TH MINUTE + 2 MINUTES (1 MINUTE LATER): What an end to the half with the All Blacks obliterating the visitors scrum yet again and earning another penalty. Despite the hooter going they turn down the three points in search for more, and they do come up with a converted try. Aaron Smith picks up the ball from the back of the scrum and puts a huge step on Michael Hooper to evade the Wallaby captains' tackle and score under the posts to narrow the half time deficit to just 3 points.
40TH MINUTE + 11 MINUTES (9 MINUTES LATER): Both sets of forwards are taking very deep breathes at present due to the frenetic style of the game but it is a great spectacle. Beauden Barrett has been off the field for a concussion test so Lima Sopoaga has taken his spot and the replacement has made some crucial tackles in the last couple of minutes.
HALF TIME, NEW ZEALAND 14, AUSTRALIA 17: That's the end of the first 40 minutes at Forsyth Barr with the Wallabies leading the All Blacks by 3 points. The visitors scored 3 tries in the opening 15 minutes but then the response was emphatic from the home side with tries from Ioane and Smith getting them back into the game. Foley has missed 3 kicks and 7 points from the boot and that could be crucial come the final whistle.
41ST MINUTE: The players are back on the field and Bernard Foley is set to get the action back underway.
43RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): A very positive start from the Wallabies gets them back into a promising attacking postion deep inside the All Blacks half but as Israel Folau looks down the short side he has pulled down and then turned over just short of the line and the All Blacks clear their lines.
47TH MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): This game has come alive in the last couple of minutes with some end-to-end rugby and it is a joy to watch. Ioane is the danger man for the hosts with his rapid pace and quick feet getting him through a small gap a few metres from the Australian line. That break set up a huge overlap to the right but the rush defence of the Wallabies forced another interception and they hack the ball down field to try get a breather.
54TH MINUTE (7 MINUTES LATER): Nigel Owens seemed to award a try to the All Blacks but then decided to go upstairs to Rowan Kitt and he overruled the decision and said Retallick was held up over the line.
56TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Talk about confidence! The All Blacks turned down an easy 3 points to go level with the Wallabies in favour of heading for the corner but it doesn't pay off despite multiple opportunities. Once again the error comes from a Sonny Bill Williams as he has the ball ripped out by Beale.
58TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Dane Haylett-Petty is the next player to give away a penalty in a dangerous position, and with Barrett now back on, he puts the ball in touch just five metres out from the Wallabies line in search of his sides 3rd try.
60TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The visitors are living very dangerously conceding a number of penalties on their line with the latest one an offside infringement and Nigel Owens' patience must be wearing thin. With the line out not functioning too well for the home side it is time for another scrum.
62ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY!: New Zealand (Beauden Barrett). New Zealand 19-17 Australia.
63RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION!: New Zealand (Beauden Barrett). New Zealand 21-17 Australia.
After spending an eternity on the Australian line it seemed inevitabel the home side would score and they do through their first five-eighth. Smith finds Barrett on the short side with Ioane outisde him Haylett-Petty had to make a decision who to take and couldn't stop Barrett with his impressive change of speed.
66TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): The Wallabies are not out of this by any means as they continue to trouble the All Blacks with their fluent passing and impressive hands. Sean McMahon has been a shining light this week and his big carries are getting his side up the field with ease.
67TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY!: Australia (Will Genia). New Zealand 21-22 Australia.
68TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION MISSED!: Australia (Bernard Foley). New Zealand 21-22 Australia.
After 15+ phases the visitors made their way up the field and had the All Blacks very much backtracking with every carry. Like all good nines Will Genia spotted a gap in the defensive line and threw a signature dummy to dart though near the ruck, running 15 metres to score and give his side a 1 point lead. For the 3rd time in the game the kick from Foley hits the upright and the Wallabies lead is just 1.
71ST MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), TRY!: New Zealand (Ben Smith). New Zealand 26-22 Australia.
72ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION!: New Zealand (Beauden Barrett). New Zealand 28-22 Australia.
73RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Scintillating rugby from the home side as they respond immediately and go through 22 phases before they find space and it is the hometown hero Ben Smith who takes the final pass from Damian McKenzie to cross over out wide and regain the lead for his side in his final Test of the year.
77TH MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER), TRY!: Australia (Kurtley Beale). New Zealand 28-29 Australia.
CONVERSION!: Australia (Bernard Foley). New Zealand 28-29 Australia.
Australia show some real bravery themselves as they turn down a kick in front to get within 3 and head to the corner. After some good carries they work their way towards the centre of the field and a great short ball from Genia puts Beale in under the posts which leaves a simple conversion for Foley to give his side the lead once again.
79TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY!: New Zealand (Beauden Barrett). New Zealand 33-29 Australia.
80TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION!: New Zealand (Beauden Barrett). New Zealand 35-29 Australia.
You just can't write off this All Blacks side and they show why once again. They regather the ball from the kick off and start another attack deep inside Wallabies territory. Then the usual suspects came up trumps with Kieran Read going through a half gap finding TJ Perenara on his shoulder and then a quick ball putting Barrett in to win the game for the hosts.
FULL TIME, NEW ZEALAND 35 AUSTRALIA 29: It's all over at Forsyth Barr stadium and the fans have been treated to one of the great games of all time. The Wallabies shot out to an early lead but were dragged back by an impressive home side. A late Beale try gave his side the lead once again with just a couple of minutes to go but the home side, as they always seem to, came back late on through Beauden Barrett and stole it. With the win the All Blacks win the Bledisloe Cup once again and the victory will taste even sweeter this time.
And what do I think of the game? It was close, really close but it's hard to win anyway.
And the Springboks have moved on top of the Rugby Championship standings on points difference with another victory over Argentina in Salta with a news report coming straight at you:
South Africa made it 2 wins out of 2 in the Rugby Championship after they beat Argentina 41-23 at Estadio Padre Ernesto Marlearena.
Crossings from Siya Kolisi (2), Elton Jantjies and Jean-Luc du Preez as well as a penalty try saw the Springboks to an impressive victory.
In reply the Pumas' scores came from Ramiro Moyano and Matias Moroni but they were hindered by a red card from lock Tomas Lavanini.
Argentina took an early lead on 4 minutes when wing Emiliano Boffelli showed off his powerful boot following a ruck penalty. That shot from 55 metres though should've been chalked off by Jantjies but the Springbok first five-eighth missed with his first two kicks soon after.
It took until the 20th minute for the game's 1st try and it went the way of South Africa and Jantjies was the provider, his chip kick on halfway finding Jesse Kriel whose offload to Kolisi saw the flanker go in untouched. Jantjies would make no mistake from in front for 7-3.
Jantjies made it 10-3 seven minutes later with a penalty but the visitors' joy was shortlived when the restart was allowed to bounce and Pumas wing Moyano duly gathered for a gift wrapped try. Juan Martin Hernandez made no mistake off the tee and the game was locked up at 10 points each.
South Africa came close to striking straight back through Andries Coetzee but Kolisi's pass was adjudged to be forward so it was disallowed.
They wouldn't be denied though on 39 minutes when Jantjies slipped a tackle and reached out for a try to make it 17-10 at the turnaround.
After the interval Hernandez cut the lead to 4 points with a penalty on 45 minutes before good interplay between Coetzee and Courtnall Skosan after a turnover set up a 2nd try for Kolisi. Once again the final pass to Kolisi came from Kriel as the Springboks led 24-13.
Then came Lavanini's second yellow card for a deliberate knock down and that was compounded by a penalty try being given, making it 31-13.
On the hour mark the Pumas hit back through Joaquin Tuculet's converted try and with a Boffelli penalty they were only trailing by 8.
With eight minutes remaining though a Jantjies penalty made it 34-23 before replacement Du Preez made sure of an impressive away victory.
And here's the report about the review of the 2nd round of the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup season:
Wellington's bid to relieve itself of Championship status in the Mitre 10 Cup has made a sound start with maximum points after 2 rounds.
Canterbury remain the frontrunner, as they always would be given their remarkable record, after something of a fright in their 30-24 win over Otago in Christchurch on Sunday.
This was never going to be a game noted for its clinical efficiency. The rivalry between the sides is too great to allow that to happen and the right amount of Otago doggedness ensured Canterbury had to fight all the way to claim their win.
But the loss left Otago without a win so far, although its two games have been against premiership sides.
Auckland were left with plenty to think about after getting their 1st win of the campaign, 10-8 over Northland in a slug fest at Eden Park. It doesn't get any easier for Auckland with a home game on Wednesday against Waikato and then a trip over the harbour bridge where North Harbour are waiting on Sunday.
Manawatu welcomed back some old hands to claim their first win of the season, 35-20 over Tasman in Palmerston North on Sunday afternoon. Tries to Nick Crosswell and Kurt Baker demonstrated the worth of experience at this level.
North Harbour turned it on in the later stages to get a 45-20 win over Southland in Invercargill to leave the home side, like Tasman and Otago, as the only sides still without a win in the two sections.
Bay of Plenty bounced back from their loss to Northland to beat Hawke's Bay 46-17 in Rotorua, an impressive display which augurs well for the side as they eye up a Premiership run.
Waikato completed the round with a good home effort to beat their northern neighbours Counties Manukau 33-21 in a keen contest.
Some early impressions are being made in relation to individual honours. Wellington's Jackson Garden-Bachop heads the individual scoring with 30 points while Mike Delany has 27 for Bay of Plenty and Waikato No.8 Jordan Manihera has five tries to top that section while also sitting in 3rd on the overall points list. Canterbury's Richie Mo'unga has 22 points and Hawke's Bay's Ihaia West 21.
And finally Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain) in the Mercedes has begun his road to the Formula 1 title with a win at the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps reducing the deficit of Sebastian Vettel's championship lead from 14 to 7 after successfully starting the race on pole position after hitting the right note in qualifying (And he's on the hunt because Hamilton has tied the all time Formula 1 record for most pole positions at 68 along with Michael Schumacher).
So that is my 138th blog of the year 2017 (MMXVII) & my 58th this year (Apologies for the lengthy delay trying to post my blog because I thought I was going to post it yesterday because I have been playing the brand new F1 2017 game but it's been pushed back to today).
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