Sunday, 30 December 2018

The year in review (Part 6 AKA #TheGrandFinaleIII)

Well, it all comes down to this because this is the final part of my year in review so here's another of those best blogs with the most views of the month from the November - December (Excluding the 6 part year in review) period beginning with All Blacks team naming against Italy:

Well, after our devastating, heart breaking & gut wrenching loss against the Irish, the All Blacks have named their team against Italy (Our pool opponents at next years Rugby World Cup in Japan) for our final rugby test match of the year (Well, can we wrap up 2018 with a win?) at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome so here is the starting lineup in it's entirety:

FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Auckland/Blues)
2 (Hooker): Dane Coles (Wellington/Hurricanes)
3 (Tight head prop): Nepo Laulala (Counties Manukau/Chiefs)

SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Patrick Tuipulotu (Auckland/Blues)
5 (Lock): Scott Barrett (Taranaki/Crusaders)

BACK ROW
6 (Blindside Flanker): Vaea Fifita (Wellington/Hurricanes)
7 (Openside Flanker): Ardie Savea (Wellington/Hurricanes)
8 (Number 8): Kieran Read (Captain, Canterbury/Crusaders)

HALVES
9 (Half-back): TJ Perenara (Wellington/Hurricanes)
10 (First five eighth): Beauden Barrett (Taranaki/Hurricanes)

MIDFIELD
12 (Second five eighth): Ngani Laumape (Manawatu/Hurricanes)
13 (Centre): Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato/Chiefs)

OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left Wing): Waisake Naholo (Taranaki/Highlanders)
14 (Right Wing): Jordie Barrett (Taranaki/Hurricanes)
& 15 (Fullback): Damian McKenzie (Waikato/Chiefs)

And in the reserves are:

16. Nathan Harris (Who replaces Dane Coles with Coles elevated to the starting lineup to replace Codie Taylor)
17. Karl Tu'inukuafe (Who is dropped to the bench to replace Ofa Tu'ungafasi with Tu'ungafasi elevated to the starting lineup)
18. Angus Ta'avao (Who also replaces Nepo Laulala with Laulala elevated to the starting lineup to replace Owen Franks)
19. Brodie Retallick (Who is dropped to the bench to replace Scott Barrett with Scott Barrett elevated to the starting lineup to replace Sam Whitelock)
20. Dalton Papali'i (Who replaces Matt Todd to cover at the open side flanker position)
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Who also replaces TJ Perenara with Perenara elevated to the starting lineup to replace Aaron Smith)
22. Richie Mo'unga
& 23. Rieko Ioane (Who is also dropped to the bench to replace Anton Lienert-Brown with Lienert-Brown elevated to the starting lineup to replace Jack Goodhue).

And the 2nd one is taken from Italy Vs All Blacks review (My very last rugby report of 2018):

Well, the All Blacks have completed the year 2018 in style, finishing it off with a win against Italy (AB's utility back Jordie Barrett was the hero of that test match, scoring 4 tries just like his brother Beauden did against the Wallabies at Eden Park in Auckland during the month of August this year while Damian McKenzie got a hat trick of tries as well (Just like Rieko Ioane did against France at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin & Ngani Laumape against Japan at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu, Tokyo) so here is the match commentary provided by Newshub:

Kia ora and welcome into Newshub's live updates between the All Blacks and Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

The test is the final match of the year for both teams.

In total there are 11 changes to the starting side with an all-new tight five, midfield and wing pairing the most significant changes to the team.

Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie have retained the 10 and 15 jerseys respectively with Jordie Barrett slotting onto the right wing and TJ Perenara coming in at halfback.

The final change from last week’s starting fifteen against Ireland is Vaea Fifita at blindside flanker in place of the injured Liam Squire.

Line-ups

All Blacks

1-Ofa Tuungafasi, 2-Dane Coles, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Patrick Tuipulotu, 5-Scott Barrett, 6-Vaea Fifita, 7-Ardie Savea, 8-Kieran Read (c), 9-TJ Perenara, 10-Beauden Barrett , 11- Waisake Naholo, 12-Ngani Laumape, 13-Anton Lienert-Brown, 14-Jordie Barrett, 15-Damian McKenzie

Reserves: 16-Nathan Harris, 17-Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18-Angus Ta'avao, 19-Brodie Retallick, 20-Dalton Papali'i, 21-Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 22-Richie Mo'unga, 23-Rieko Ioane.

Italy

1-Andrea Lovotti, 2-Leonardo Ghiraldini (c), 3-Simone Ferrari, 4-Alessandro Zanni, 5-Dean Budd, 6-Sebastian Negri, 7-Jake Polledri, 8-Abraham Jurgens Steyn, 9-Tito Tebaldi, 10-Tommaso Allan, 11-Luca Sperandio, 12-Tommaso Castello, 13-Michele Campagnaro, 14-Tommaso Benvenuti, 15-Jayden Hayward

Replacements: 16-Luca Bigi, 17-Cherif Traore, 18-Tiziano Pasquali, 19-Marco Fuser, 20-Johan Meyer, 21-Guglielmo Palazzani, 22-Luca Morisi, 23-Edoardo Padovani.

Head-to-head and past results

Played: 14
Won: All Blacks 14

Previous results:

2016: New Zealand won 68-10 in Rome
2012: New Zealand won 42-10 in Rome
2009: New Zealand won 20-6 in Milan
2009: New Zealand won 27-6 in Christchurch
2007: New Zealand won 76-14 in Marsellie (RWC)

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gaüzère (France), Sean Gallagher (Ireland)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)

2:25 AM: The match is due to start in just over 30 minutes. This is the last All Blacks test of the year.

2:35 AM: Last week, Italy lost to Australia 26-7, while the All Blacks lost to Ireland 16-9.

2:45 AM: We're now 15 minutes away. Both teams are back in the sheds and will be back out shortly for the anthems and then the haka.

2:51 AM: The stadium isn't full which is off to see in an All Blacks test admittedly. Both teams emerge from the sheds and are out on the field.

2:53 AM: There is a choir singing in the New Zealand anthem and they sound great doing it. Something different instead of music blasting out of the speakers.

2:56 AM: The 2 Kiwis in the Italian squad - Dean Budd and Jayden Hayward - are both pictured singing Italy's anthem with lots of passion.

2:57 AM: Kieran Read is leading the haka which i've never seen before. TJ Perenara is at the front where Read is usually placed.

2:58 AM: As talked about yesterday, most of the All Blacks are wearing rainbow laces.

KICK OFF: We're underway in Rome. Beauden Barrett gets us underway.

1ST MINUTE: Early line out to the All Blacks and captain Read wins it on the halfway line. New Zealand drive forward, but the maul goes to ground, and Italy wins the turnover.

3RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): After multiple re-sets, Italy wins a free kick and they take a quick tap.

4TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The All Blacks get the ball, but a loose carry means Italy go on the counter attack. There was another fumble and the referee says "no advantage" and Italy have another scrum.

6TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Penalty to NZ, and they take the quick tap and TJ Perenara kicks the ball forward.

7TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: The All Blacks are caught offside and now Italy has another penalty. They kick for touch, but their line out throw isn't straight, so we have another scrum...

9TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: TJ Perenara is over for New Zealand. They caught Italy napping. They attack down the right wing, and Jordie Barrett passes the ball back infield and Perenara dives over.

10TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION MISS: A poor coversion by Beauden Barrett and the All Blacks have a 5-0 lead.

11TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Italy get inside the All Blacks' 22 for the first time as Luca Sperandio goes on a big run.

13TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Penalty to the hosts. They will kick for goal here.
PENALTY GOAL ITALY: Tommaso Allan lands the penalty attempt and now the score is 5-3 to New Zealand.

14TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): All Blacks knock the ball on from the re-start.

15TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Another free kick to Italy from the scrum. They take the tap and go for it.

16TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Time is off here but referee Andrew Brace is down with a knee injury. The medics come on and use some magic spray and water on the Irishman's knee. Hopefully he doens't need to go off with injury.

17TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Play resumes and the All Blacks had a penalty so they kick for touch.

18TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Damian McKenzie goes in under the posts. That was a beauty. Kieran Read attacks the line and somehow gets the ball to Patrick Tuipulotu, who runs a great line and a simple draw and pass to his fullbacks sends him through.

19TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION: Beauden Barrett lands the conversion. All Blacks lead 12-3.

21ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Italy building some phases together, but then a poor pass goes to ground and then Dane Coles kicks the ball away. What can't Coles do?

22ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Scrum to the All Blacks after Italy drops the ball just inside NZ's half.

24TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Big news here as Andrew Brace is leaving the field. The Irishman has a knee injury. He had it looked at earlier but he is in pain (And is unable to continue). Assistant Pascal Gaüzère will take his place, but then who replaces the Frenchman on the sideline?

25TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Play resumes with a scrum to Italy.

26TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty to the All Blacks and they kick for touch and they will have a line out inside the 22.

27TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Damian McKenzie has a brace. Nice easy try as Beauden Barrett gets the ball, and grubbers the ball through and the fullback scores. The in-goals are massive so plenty of space to try kicks like that.

29TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), CONVERSION MISS: Another missed conversion by Barrett as the All Blacks lead 17-3.

30TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty to Italy. They could kick for goal here, but they opt to kick for touch. They'll have a line out about 10 out from the line.

32ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Jordie Barrett gets in on the scoring as he finishes off a move started inside their half. Ardie Savea turns the ball over and they counter. Dane Coles makes a break and finds Damian McKenzie who then gives it to Barrett to score under the posts.

33RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Beauden Barrett lands the conversion. All Blacks lead 24-3.

35TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The All Blacks have an attacking line out here. Can they score their fifth here.

37TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The All Blacks are just messing with Italy now. They nearly score an amazing five-pointer, but the last pass from Jordie Barrett to TJ Perenara is forward. Vaea Fifita goes on a big run which involved about five or six of the players.

38TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Marco Fuser comes on for Alessandro Zanni.

39TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty to New Zealand as a mini scuffle breaks out. Nothing serious. All Blacks will look for one more try before halftime.

40TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Another penalty to NZ. They really want that 5th try right now.

40TH MINUTE + 3RD MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Jordie Barrett has his brace now as he scores a rugby league-esque try. Beauden Barrett gets the ball and kicks out to the wing where his brother is one-on-one with Jayden Hayward, and he soars through the air and catches the ball to score in the corner (Well, Beauden Barrett hasn't been doing a lot of his cross field kicking lately this year).

HALFTIME, CONVERSION: Beauden Barrett lands the conversion and the All Blacks lead 31-3 at the break. Damian McKenzie and Jordie Barrett both have two tries while TJ Perenara has the All Blacks' other.

40TH MINUTE: The 2nd half is underway in Rome. Pascal Gaüzère (Who took over from the injured Andrew Brace) blows his whistle as Tommaso Allan gets us started.

42ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Italy with the ball inside the All Blacks' half with a penalty advantage.

43RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: But their advantage comes to nothing as the All Blacks win a penalty and now they're just outside Italy's 22.

44TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Ngani Laumape gets in on the scoring act as some great offloading gets the second-five into space to score near the posts.

45TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION: The conversion goes over. The All Blacks lead 38-3.

46TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Now Beauden Barrett scores for the All Blacks. Italy tries a trick play from the line out and Barrett reads it to perfection as he intercepts the ball and sprints over for the try.

47TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION: The conversion goes over from the tryscorer Beauden Barrett. The score is now 45-3.

48TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Ardie Savea comes off for Dalton Papalii Would have liked to have seen Savea out there more due to his form, but great to see Dalton get 30-odd minutes.

50TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The All Blacks are back on the attack one more and are just outside the 22.

51ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SUBSTITUTION: The All Blacks have a line out five out from the line. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Richie Mo'unga both come on now. TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett are the ones to come off.

52ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The All Blacks take a quick line out and they attack down the left wing, but it comes to nothing as the ball goes into touch.

53RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Damian McKenzie has a hat-trick now as he dives over for his 3rd. The All Blacks grubber through and it bounces off the post, into the path of McKenzie to score.

54TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION: Richie Mo'unga lands the conversion.

55TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The All Blacks try some trick plays now with a kick over the top, and it sits up nicely, but a pass out wide goes to ground.

56TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Waisake Naholo's night is over. He was very quiet. Rieko Ioane will come on the park as his replacement.

57TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Things are going from bad to worse for Italy who give away a penalty at the scrum. The AB's kick for touch and they have another line out 5 out from the line.

58TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The All Blacks try a grubber kick to the corner, but it doesn't hold up for Rieko Ioane and goes dead.

60TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): We're into the final quarter in Rome. Can the All Blacks score four more tries to bring up 80?

61ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The All Blacks clear the bench so Nathan Harris, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Angus Ta'avao, and Brodie Retallick all come on.

63RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Scrum to Italy after a mistake by the All Blacks.

65TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): That took a long time to complete as the scrum is finally complete.

66TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Italy looking more deadly with the ball now, as they build some phases together.

67TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Italy have an attacking line out and they get a drive going, but play is brought back for a penalty advantage.

69TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): This game as turned very scrappy now and quite dull in all fairness. All Blacks have a scrum to feed.

71ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Penalty to the All Blacks as once again the scrum takes forever to complete.

72ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The All Blacks make a nice run down the middle of the field. The next play, they kick the ball forward, but it touched in-goal by Jayden Hayward.

74TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Jordie Barrett now has a hat-trick, and Nathan Harris has set up a try. The All Blacks make a break and the hooker puts in a grubber to the wing of Barrett who scores in the corner.

76TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), CONVERSION: Richie Mo'unga lands the conversion and the lead is now 59-3.

78TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Now Italy is close to the line. Can the end their season with a try?

79TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Italy with a line out 5 out from the line. But it is a poor throw and the All Blacks get the ball.

80TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The All Blacks have a line out no and they'll try get one more try before the match ends.

80TH MINUTE + 2ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Jordie Barrett scores his 4th and what a statement match by the 21-year-old. Way too easy there.

FULL TIME, CONVERSION: The conversion goes over and that is it. The All Blacks win 66-3 against Italy.

5:05am: Thanks for tuning in. Check back in later. But don't forget, the World Rugby awards are tomorrow (All Black second rower Brodie Retallick won try of the year for his dummy pass against the Wallabies during the 1st Bledisloe Cup test then star Irish first five Johnny Sexton becoming world's best rugby player (Effectively taking over from Beauden Barrett by ending Barrett's 2 year reign as the best rugby player in the world) while Ireland have been awarded team of the year (That's why because of their 6 Nations crown in which they won as well as the grand slam (By beating all 5 teams participating in the 6 Nations such as England, France (Including that epic match winning drop goal by the newly crowned best player in the world, Johnny Sexton), Italy, Scotland & Wales) & triple crown (By beating all 3 home unions such as England, Scotland & Wales) for the 1st time since 2009 then they won the test series against Australia despite the single blip in the 1st test at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane & they had a clean sweep in the autumn internationals including that famous win at home against the All Blacks) while speedy South African winger Aphiwe Dyantyi had been crowned best breakthrough player of the year (Rieko Ioane won last years award (English second rower Maro Itoje won it in 2016 & injury prone All Black winger Nehe Milner-Skudder won it in 2015 which was in fact, World Cup year) but Dyantyi's stellar rugby career began as an aspiring young up & coming winger who played in the Currie Cup last year then earned selection for the Lions Super Rugby team in which he performed well by scoring a heap of tries & known for his lightning pace then a Springbok call up beckoned meaning that he is now officially a Springbok after an impressive Super Rugby season due to his good performances so the rest is history about the miracle story of pace man Aphiwe Dyantyi), beating the likes of Irish winger & fullback Jordan Larmour & rookie All Black prop Karl Tu'inukuafe (Although at the start of the year that he probably might get a short term Super Rugby contract with the Chiefs then an All Black call up later because he was so overweight (Although he provided security at a nightclub or bar down in Auckland as a bouncer or should I say, a doorman because he was out of shape) but he had to shed that one off (He is now 135 kilos, the required weight for a prop like that) by getting a short term deal with the Chiefs (Although he is playing with the Blues next year for family/whanau reasons) then an All Black call up beckoned meaning that he was declared fit enough to join the squad & the rest is history about the miracle story of big Karl Tu'inukuafe) & Coach of the year went to Joe Schmidt for his excellence in coaching Ireland.

ITALY 3-66 ALL BLACKS

Well, all good things must come to an end because it is most definitely the end of the rugby season because we are now entering the cricket season (Well, England is the birthplace of rugby (Our number 1 sport here in New Zealand & Wales), cricket (Our main summer sport here in New Zealand & number 1 sport in Australia (Along with Aussie rules football), England & the West Indies (Including Barbados, Guyana & Jamaica (Spiritual home of cricket & reggae music) & soccer (World's most popular sport & of course the number 1 sport in Denmark (Along with handball) isn't it?) so we will see you next year in February with the 6 Nations 1st then Super Rugby & after that it's the shortened Rugby Championship as well as the Mitre 10 Cup before the big one which is the Rugby World Cup in Japan (I am most looking forward to next year (Along with my father & Raewyn's wedding on the 16th of February).

And finally I will be doing a blog (I'll be covering 8 blogs to reach my target of 80 this year (My all time record number of blogs for the year currently stands at 100) about the year in review about highlights of 2018 with the main sports topics of the year from ball tampering fiasco by the Aussies in South Africa (With Steve Smith (The modern day Bradman), David Warner (The enforcer of Australian cricket) & Cameron Bancroft being the 3 culprits that are serving a ban (Smith & Warner: 1 year & Bancroft: 9 months) to soccer world cup fever in Russia (Won by the glorious but entertaining French side (Featuring Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann, Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, young Paris St Germain forward Kylian Mbappe & captain Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur) against the high flying but spirited Croatia (Featuring captain & Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, FC Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic, Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic & AS Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic) in the final at Luzhniki Stadium in Russia's capital city, Moscow, 20 years after their last triumph in front of their adoring home fans in France).

P.S. And Joe Schmidt is stepping down as coach of the Ireland Rugby team (The Irish are captained by Ulster hooker Rory Best but can Best become the 1st Irish captain to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy? Because Ireland (Who are competitive now because they have now found the competitive edge) have never reached the semifinal stages & final of the Rugby World Cup before (But can they finally break their drought by reaching the semifinals & final?), reaching the quarterfinal (That's always their best result but their worst result was in the pool stages in 2007, losing both games to hosts France (They used to have big second & back rower Sebastien 'Cave Man/Seabass' Chabal) & the tournament's surprise package Argentina (Featuring future vice chairman of the sport's governing body which is in fact, World Rugby, halfback & former captain, Agustin 'Gus' Pichot) 6 times (In 1987 (Losing to Australia featuring the likes of David 'Campo' Campese, captain Andrew Slack, Michael Lynagh, Nick-Farr Jones, Simon Poidevin, Enrique 'Topo' Rodriguez & Tom Lawton), 1991 (Australia again featuring the likes of Campese as well as captain Farr-Jones, Phil Kearns (AKA Kearnsy), Ewen McKenzie, David Nucifora, John Eales (World class second rower known as Ealesy), Lynagh, Tim Horan & his midfield partner Jason Little), 1995 (France featuring the likes of both Philippe Sella & Philippe Saint-Andre as well as Fabien Galthie, Abdelatif 'Abdel' Benazzi, Christian Califano, Thierry Lacroix, Emile Ntamack, Jean-Luc Sadourny, Olivier Brouzet & Christophe Deylaud), 2003 (France again featuring the likes of Raphael Ibanez, Fabien Pelous, Serge Betsen, Oliver Magne, Imanol Harinorduquy, Galthie, Frederic Michalak, Christophe Dominci, Yannick Jauzion, Kiwi born player Tony Marsh, Aurelien Rougerie, Dimitri Yachvili, Clement Poitrenaud & Sebastien Chabal as I mentioned before), 2011 (Wales featuring the likes of captain Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau (Known as Toby at the time), Leigh Halfpenny, Shane Williams, George North, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Rhys Priestland, Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips, Dan Lydiate, Alun Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies, Luke Charteris, Adam Jones, Huw Bennett & Ken Owens) & 2015 (Argentina featuring the likes of captain Agustin 'Gus' Creevy, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Pablo Matera, Leonardo Senatore, Tomas Cubelli, Martin Landajo, Nicolas Sanchez, Marcelo Bosch, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Juan Martin 'El Mago' Hernandez, Matias Moroni, Horacio Agulla, Santiago Cordero, Juan Imhoff, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino & Joaquin Tuculet) after next years Rugby World Cup for family reasons (Although Joe Schmidt has a son who is suffering from a convulsive fit (Just like Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo had prior to the 1998 FIFA World Cup final against hosts France in which they lost by 3 goals (Zinedine Zidane scored both headers from corners as well as Emmanuel Petit finishing the Brazilians off with a wonder strike that clinched France their 1st of 2 World Cup titles despite during the game when Marcel Desailly got sent off after receiving a second yellow card) because he is about to be replaced by ex England league & union player Andy Farrell (Owen's father) just like Wayne Pivac (Ex Auckland coach) replacing Warren Gatland (Bryn's dad) as head coach of Wales from 2020.

And finally I'll tell you an interesting story that the lead singer of Pearl Jam (Lifelong friends of Soundgarden compared to Queens Of The Stone Age who are lifelong friends of the Foo Fighters), Eddie Vedder (Who is a friend of the late Soundgarden & Audioslave lead singer Chris Cornell), is the only one left (1st it was Kurt Cobain of Nirvana in 1994 (Cobain's bandmate Dave Grohl (Another one of the late Chris Cornell's friends) went on to establish the Foo Fighters in the same year) who tragically passed away followed by Layne Staley of Alice In Chains way back in 2002 then Scott Weiland of both the Stone Temple Pilots (Still operating under a new lead singer Jeff Gutt who took over from the late Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington (And another friend of the late Chris Cornell) & Velvet Revolver in 2015 & most recently, Chris Cornell (He has a number of good friends including Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters & the late Chester Bennington of Linkin Park) of both Soundgarden (How did they break up again in 2018? Because of Chris Cornell's sudden passing in 2017) & Audioslave last year in 2017) as lead singers of grunge rock (Took over from glam rock which made an impact during the 1980's because it was the main rock music genre of the early to mid 1990's followed by Nu Metal in both the late 1990's & early 2000's before alternative rock took over since the mid 2000's as the most popular rock music genre).

And the 3rd one is taken from 2019 Rugby World Cup pool & match schedule (My 1st blog in December):

Well, it gives me great pleasure that I will reveal the pool & match schedule for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan next year:

Pool A

Ireland
Scotland
Japan (Host nation)
Russia
Samoa

Japan Vs Russia: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
Ireland Vs Scotland: International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Russia Vs Samoa: Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya
Japan Vs Ireland: Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka
Scotland Vs Samoa: Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe
Ireland Vs Russia: Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe
Japan Vs Samoa: City of Toyota Stadium, Aichi
Scotland Vs Russia: Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka
Ireland Vs Samoa: Fukuoka Hakatamori Stadium, Fukuoka
Japan Vs Scotland: International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama

Pool B

New Zealand (Defending champion)
South Africa
Italy
Namibia
Canada

New Zealand Vs South Africa: International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Italy Vs Namibia: Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka
Italy Vs Canada: Fukuoka Hakatamori Stadium, Fukuoka
South Africa Vs Namibia: City of Toyota Stadium, Aichi
New Zealand Vs Canada: Oita Stadium, Oita
South Africa Vs Italy: Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka
New Zealand Vs Namibia: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
South Africa Vs Canada: Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe
New Zealand Vs Italy: City of Toyota Stadium, Aichi
Namibia Vs Canada: Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi

Pool C (AKA pool of death)

England
France
Argentina
United States
Tonga

France Vs Argentina: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
England Vs Tonga: Sapporo Dome, Sapporo
England Vs United States: Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe
Argentina Vs Tonga: Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka
France Vs United States: Fukuoka Hakatamori Stadium, Fukuoka
England Vs Argentina: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
France Vs Tonga: Kumamoto Stadium, Kumamoto
Argentina Vs United States: Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya
England VS France: International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
United States Vs Tonga: Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka

Pool D

Australia
Wales
Georgia
Fiji
Uruguay

Australia Vs Fiji: Sapporo Dome, Sapporo
Wales Vs Georgia: City of Toyota Stadium, Aichi
Fiji Vs Uruguay: Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi
Georgia Vs Uruguay: Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Kumagaya
Australia Vs Wales: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
Georgia Vs Fiji: Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Osaka
Australia Vs Uruguay: Oita Stadium, Oita
Wales Vs Fiji: Oita Stadium, Oita
Australia Vs Georgia: Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Shizuoka
Wales Vs Uruguay: Kumamoto Stadium, Kumamoto

Quarterfinals

Winner Pool C Vs Runner up Pool D: Oita Stadium, Oita
Winner Pool B Vs Runner up Pool A: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
Winner Pool D Vs Runner up Pool C: Oita Stadium, Oita
Winner Pool A Vs Runner up Pool B: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo

Semifinals

Winner QF1 Vs Winner QF2: International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama
Winner QF3 Vs Winner QF4: International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama

3rd & 4th place playoff

Runner up SF1 Vs Runner up SF2: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo

Final

Winner SF1 Vs Winner SF2: International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama

And last but not the very least, the 4th one is taken from All Blacks history at the Rugby World Cup:

Well, hello hello, with Japan set to host the next Rugby World Cup in 2019, here is some of the history of the All Blacks Rugby World Cup campaigns over the years:

1987 - The 1st World Cup

Captain: David Kirk (Originally Jock Hobbs (Concussion) then Andy Dalton (Hamstring)
Coach: Sir Brian 'BJ' Lochore
Standout players: John 'JK' Kirwan (Backs) & Michael 'Iceman' Jones (Forwards)
Main challenger: France (Final)

1991 - The downfall

Captain: Gary Whetton
Coaches: John Hart & Alex 'Grizz' Wyllie
Standout players: Graeme Bachop (Backs) & Ian 'Kamo' Jones (Forwards)
Main challenger: Australia (Semifinal)

1995 - The heartbreak

Captain: Sean Fitzpatrick
Coach: Laurie Mains
Standout players: Jonah Lomu (Backs) & Zinzan 'Zinny' Brooke (Forwards)
Main challengers: England (Semifinal) & South Africa (Final)

1999 - The professional era

Captain: Taine Randell
Coach: John Hart
Standout players: Andrew 'Mehrts' Mehrtens (Backs) & Josh Kronfeld (Forwards)
Main challengers: France (Semifinal) & South Africa (3rd/4th place playoff)

2003 - The disappointment

Captain: Reuben Thorne
Coach: John Mitchell
Standout players: Doug 'Dougie' Howlett (Backs) & Ali Williams (Forwards)
Main challengers: South Africa (Quarterfinal) & Australia (Semifinal)

2007 - The low point

Captain: Richie McCaw
Coach: Sir Graham 'Ted' Henry
Standout players: Dan 'DC' Carter (Backs) & Jerry 'JC' Collins (Forwards)
Main challenger: France (Quarterfinal)

2011 - All Blacks forever

Captain: Richie McCaw
Coach: Sir Graham 'Ted' Henry
Standout players: Cory 'CJ' Jane (Backs), Richie McCaw & Jerome Kaino (Forwards)
Main challengers: Australia (Semifinal) & France (Final)

2015 - Back to black

Captain: Richie McCaw
Coach: Steve Hansen
Standout players: Dan 'DC' Carter (Backs) & Brodie 'Guzzler' Retallick (Forwards)
Main challengers: South Africa (Semifinal) & Australia (Final)

2019 - Seeking history

Coach: Steve Hansen
Main challengers: Australia, Ireland & South Africa

So that is my 260th blog of the year 2018 (MMXVIII) & my 80th of this year (Happy new year tomorrow so 40 more blogs till I reach the triple ton which is 300).

P.S. And I did enjoy Christmas 6 days ago, it was better than last year but my favourite Christmas presents are the money that I've got (I did get a total of $300 meaning that I've now got $2,878 because I always save a lot of money in the meantime as usual) & a new copy of my favourite book which is the Team New Zealand Story 1995 - 2003 as well as the world of football/soccer book.

And the Kane Williamson led Black Caps have taken victory against the Dinesh Chandimal led Sri Lanka by a world record 423 runs in the boxing day test to win the test series 1 - 0 after a dominant display at Hagley Oval in Christchurch to end 2018 on a high for New Zealand.

And what do I think of 2018? Me oh my I have enjoyed that yes boy! (As said by famous ex All Black rugby player turned commentator Justin Marshall) It was way better than 2017. Because it's PANDEMONIUM! ABSOLUTE SCENES! (As said by Andrew 'Mulls' Mulligan from The Rock FM's Morning Rumble show & Prime's sports show The Crowd Goes Wild).

And finally I would like to say thanks to my whole friends & family such as Pops, my dog Buck, Dad, Jansen, Raewyn, Aunty Tania, Rejean, Uncle Bryan, Aunty Viv, Ashley, Leon Benbaruk, Hanne, Sophia Ong, Paige Williams, Kathryn, Ken Branch, Ben Blain, Ben's girlfriend Robina, Sherylle-Anne Collins, Carole Webb, Carole's son Andrew, Carole's brother Martin, Martin's wife Leila, Martin & Leila's son Marat, Wai Lam (My 4th Asian friend along with both Malaysians Lim & Sophia & a Filipina woman who is Murray Gray's partner named Viluz), Wai Lam's wife Marie as well as my Mum (Who stayed here at 15A Kells Avenue from the 27th of December until yesterday) for all my support, thank you...As we will see you in 2019.

Saturday, 22 December 2018

The year in review (Part 5)

Well, this is part 5 of my year in review so here's another of those best blogs with the most views of the month from the September - October period beginning with Mitre 10 Cup round 3 review (My 1st blog of September):

Tasman maintained their impressive start to the Mitre 10 Cup season when achieving their third win in as many starts to remain on top of the Premiership, while Hawke's Bay has shown the benefit of posting bonus points to move four points clear in the Championship.

But it was also the first week when teams played two games, and neither Counties Manukau nor Taranaki were able to claim two wins.

Northland, who had been winless in their first two games provided the upset of the round when beating Taranaki 18-17 in Whangarei on Sunday, Taranaki having beaten Counties Manukau 26-19 on Wednesday.

Counties Manukau v Taranaki

It was a thrilling finish in Pukekohe on Wednesday when firstly Counties Manukau wing Tony Pulu scored a sensational try to draw his side level 19-19 with six minutes left. But then Taranaki scored from the restart with fullback Beaudein Waaka scoring his second try of the night to end up with 21 points to give Taranaki the win.

Auckland v Waikato

Just how much of a different prospect Auckland are this season was evident in their 35-17 win over Waikato at Eden Park. Although far from the finished article, there is more steel in the Auckland approach and hooker Robbie Abel demonstrated that with two tries, a feat matched by fullback Jordan Trainor. Waikato have traditionally been a banana skin for Auckland, but not this time.

Wellington v Southland

Down 0-40 at halftime it looked curtains for Southland against Wellington at Westpac Stadium but a much stronger second half effort made life more difficult and although there was never any prospect of Wellington missing out, they were left with plenty to think about. Ben Lam had a big game with three tries while Southland showed they should be not too far away from an overdue win.

Bay of Plenty v Canterbury

Bay of Plenty were bold in taking their scrum to Canterbury for much of the first three-quarters of the game but Canterbury aren't champions without good reason and they saved their best until the final quarter when they finished the stronger of the two sides to pull away for a 31-19 win. Bay of Plenty deserved better than the final margin, but showed plenty to offer further hope.

Manawatu v Otago

Otago finally got on the board, and were impressive in doing so, boosted by a commanding display from Naulia Dawai. They scored seven tries with a dominant second half effort which shut the home team completely out of the game as 43 points were posted without answer. Josh Ioane complemented the try scoring with six conversions as Otago posted their half-century for a 50-17 win.

North Harbour v Tasman

New All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell played like he was making up for lost time to inspire a superb forward display by Tasman at North Harbour Stadium en route to a 32-20 win. Frizell was everywhere while the Tasman pack proved too powerful for the home unit. North Harbour had sufficient ball but struggled to consistently breach the determined Tasman defence.

Hawke's Bay v Counties Manukau

Finding their second wind after some untidy and loose play early in the game Counties Manukau ended Hawke's Bay's winning streak at the start of their season by claiming a match-winning 78th minute try, scored by captain and lock Matiaha Martin to give the visitors a 29-25 win. It was a first win for Counties Manukau who were playing their second game in five days.

Northland v Taranaki

Playing away from home has proved an issue for Taranaki who lost to Bay of Plenty in the first week and they lost to another Championship side Northland in Whangarei on Sunday going down 17-18. That was due to Matt Wright landing a penalty goal just out from the end of the game to secure the win. Northland dominated possession in the second half and shut Taranaki out for a key win.

And the 2nd one is taken from All Blacks team naming against Argentina:

Well, the All Blacks have named their team this morning against Argentina in Nelson (Which will host their 1st ever test match at this city) so here is the starting lineup in it's entirety:

FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Karl Tu'inukuafe (North Harbour/Chiefs)
2 (Hooker): Codie Taylor (Canterbury/Crusaders)
3 (Tight head prop): Owen Franks (Canterbury/Crusaders)

SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Brodie Retallick (Hawke's Bay/Chiefs)
5 (Lock): Scott Barrett (Taranaki/Crusaders)

BACK ROW
6 (Blindside Flanker): Shannon Frizell (Tasman/Highlanders)
7 (Openside Flanker): Ardie Savea (Wellington/Hurricanes)
8 (Number 8): Kieran Read (Captain, Canterbury/Crusaders)

HALVES
9 (Half-back): TJ Perenara (Wellington/Hurricanes)
10 (First five eighth): Richie Mo'unga (Canterbury/Crusaders)

MIDFIELD
12 (Second five eighth): Ngani Laumape (Manawatu/Hurricanes)
13 (Centre): Jack Goodhue (Northland/Crusaders)

OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left Wing): Waisake Naholo (Taranaki/Highlanders)
14 (Right Wing): Nehe Milner-Skudder (Manawatu/Hurricanes)
& 15 (Fullback): Ben Smith (Otago/Highlanders)

And in the reserves are:

16. Nathan Harris
17. Tim Perry (Who replaces Karl Tu'inukuafe with Tu'inukuafe elevated to the starting lineup to replace the injured Joe Moody)
18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
19. Sam Whitelock (Who replaces Scott Barrett with Barrett elevated to the starting lineup to start in the second row)
20. Luke Whitelock (Who replaces Ardie Savea with Savea also elevated to the starting lineup to replace Sam Cane at the openside flanker position)
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Who replaces TJ Perenara to make his test debut off the bench with Perenara elevated to the starting lineup to start at halfback replacing Aaron Smith who is rested)
22. Damian McKenzie
& 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.

And the 3rd one is taken from Rugby Championship round 3 review:

Well, the All Blacks have of course beaten Argentina during the 3rd round of the Rugby Championship in the test match at Nelson so here's the full match commentary taken from Newshub:

Kia ora, good evening and welcome to our live coverage of the All Blacks Rugby Championship test against Argentina from Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

A win for New Zealand tonight will go a long way in locking up yet another trophy at New Zealand Rugby HQ.

The Pumas are 1-1 from their opening tests against South Africa, winning at home a week after the Springboks did the same.

The All Blacks are a different looking team from that which retained the Bledisloe Cup last time out, with Richie Mo'unga earning his first start in a test match jersey.

Elsewhere there are returns for Nehe Milner-Skudder and Shannon Frizell with Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Scott Barrett and Karl Tu'inukuafe all coming into the starting lineup.

Look for Chiefs halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi to make his debut off the bench.

7.20pm: Evening all - thanks for dropping by tonight. Huge 80 minutes ahead for Richie Mo'unga as he looks to put some pressure on Beauden Barrett for the 10 jersey. Very cold evening in Nelson as the crowd floods in. 21,000 expected.

7.25pm: No late changes to report. Teams are as advertised.

7.27pm: Decent breeze about with the Pumas opting to run with it in the first 40.

7.28pm: Argentina have made their way out as the look to break their duck against New Zealand. Kieran Read leads out the All Blacks who are playing a test for the first time in Nelson tonight.

7.29pm: Anthem time. Argentinian to be sung by Elin Tomos. Great tune.

7.31pm: Lizzy Marvelly to sing God Defend New Zealand.

7.34pm: Mo'unga shed a wee tear. Cool. ABs will power out Ka Mate led as always by TJ Peranara.

7.35pm: Shannon Frizell was in full beast mode for that. Chills.

Kick off: The French referee gets us underway ---- Richie Mo'unga with the kick. Pumas clear through Sanchez.

1ST MINUTE: Early penalty for the ABs. Pumas ruled offside on halfway. Mo'unga misses touch however and the Pumas clear.

2ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Retallick down holding his knee and wrist. Nice breakout from Milner-Skudder over halfway. Retallick hammered in the tackle and went down badly. He's up now so hopeful he is okay as he heads into the scrum.

3RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): All Blacks hammer the Pumas at the first scrum. Karl Tu'inukuafe destroys his opposite. Mo'unga will have a shot at points from 30m out.

4TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL ALL BLACKS: The Crusaders playmaker makes no mistake. Nice kick and he is on the board as a test rugby player. NZ 3-0.

6TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Nico Sanchez missed a chance to get the Pumas back level. ABs offside at ruck time but the Pumas No.10 couldn't convert from a handy spot.

8TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): All Blacks play through 14 phases and finally breakout through Laumape. Ben Smith is through and tries to find Mo'unga but he can't gather the pill. Pumas with the ball now on halfway.

10TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Scrum for Argentina. Referee got in te way of a pass out of a ruck. Laumape down witha sore knee. He tried to bulldoze fullback Boffelli earlier and it was a heavy collision. Ben Smith off the park with a HIA test, Retallick doesn't look good and Laumape is now hobbling off. Wow.

11TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Retallick, Laumape and Ben Smith all off the park. Smith may come back but the other two are done. McKenzie, Lienert-Brown and Sam Whitelock on.

12TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Nice scrum move from the ABs. Massive net gain off a Goodhue kick as the Pumas clear their line.

14TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): End-to-end at the moment. Frizzel with a great bust up the middle but his pass can't find Mo'unga. Pumas clear and the ABs have a 22m lineout. Ben Smith back on.

15TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ARGENTINA: Ramiro Moyano. Wow! Superb effort. Moyano had a lot to do from 30m out. Beat Frizell, Milner-Skudder and Ben Smith. Skinned Smith. They are hear to play folks. ARG 7-3.

18TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Nehe Milner-Skudder. Welcome back Nehe. Great interplay in the midfield with the impressive Frizell showing nice slight of hand. Taylor finds himself in wide open spaces and fires a pass over to Milner-Skudder who runs 15m to score in the corner. Great conversion from wide out for Mo'unga. NZ 10-7.

22ND MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): Pumas go close again. They are posing the ABs some serious issues at the moment. Number 8 Javier Ortega Desio busted through three or four tacklers out wide but loses the ball forward in contact with a man free inside him. Great cover from Whitelock. Great test so far. Warriors up 12-2 in Sydney. You can follow that game here.

25TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): ABs have a penalty just short of halfway. Mo'unga finds touch.

26TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Another penalty for the All Blacks 14m out. Mo'unga finds touch. Attacking lineout coming up. Frizell is having a tremendous test match.

27TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): All Blacks turn the ball over and the Pumas clear deep into NZ territory. Naholo counter-attacks and is through but his pass to Taylor is off the mark. Pumas try to break out now. They are playing serious rugby here. Pumas on halfway.

28TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Whitelock earns the ABs a penalty at the breakdown on halfway. Another touch finder for Mo'unga.

30TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS - TJ Perenara. ABs forwards take over with 9 phases of pick 'n' go. Mo'unga with a short pass to Goodhue and he is almost there - great cover but Perenara dives over and the ABs have their second five-pointer. Mo'unga can't add the extra two from a handy spot. NZ 15-7.

33RD MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): All Blacks go back on attack after another breakdown penalty. Taylor loses the ball forward out wide and the chance is gone.

35TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Could be a Pumas try here. Breakout from Sanchez and he finds Maroni who dives over in a Perenara covering tackle. Could be obstruction against Argentina. Oh jeez. It's a no try! Not because of obstruction but Maroni just grazed the touchline in the Perenara tackle. Just grazed it. What a great tackle form the halfback but plenty of holes in the ABs defensive line tonight.

37TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): So many holes in the ABs midfield. Another clear break, this time from Boffelli, he finds his winger Delguy but the cover is very good from Naholo. Sanchez kicks through but it goes dead....just and the ABs will have a scrum 20m out from their own line.

39TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Dominant scrum for the All Blacks. Yet another penalty. Mo'unga finds touch.

40TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Another penalty - this time for offside and Mo'unga will look to end the half with another three points.
PENALTY GOAL ALL BLACKS - Richie Mo'unga. He makes no mistake and the ABs will take an 11-point lead into the break. Be back shortly.

HALFTIME: All Blacks have looked great with ball in hand, specifically Shannon Frizell who has tormented the Pumas. Argentina for theor part have been excellent and deserve to be closer. ABs lost Retallick and Laumape within the first six minutes so they have had to rejig somewhat.

2ND HALF: Back underway in Nelson. Nico Sanchez with the restart.Lienert-Brown collects and the ABs look to reset. Turnover and the Pumas go on attack right of the bat. 5m out.

41ST MINUTE, TRY ARGENTINA - Nico Sanchez. Superb from the Pumas. Awful start for the ABs. Good forward play from the Argentinian pack, eventually Sanchez spots a gap in the black wall and scores a deserved try. He adds the extra two. NZ 18-14.

44TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): 5m scrum for Argentina. Another line break, this time from Moyano. Eventually Sanchez grubbers and Mo'unga can't clean it up....Ben Smith does but he is tackled in goal.

46TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Great work from Ardie Savea to win a defensive penalty for his side. Pumas relentless with ball in hand but the Hurricanes flanker wins the turnover and the referee blows the whistle. Lineout ABs on their own 10m line.

47TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Taylor muffs a lineout from inside the Pumas 22 and Argentina looking to run it out. Sanchez decides to clear and Nahol brings it back to halfway.

49TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS - Kieran Read. Ben Smith ignites his side. ABs through a couple of phases and Smith runs through a huge hole...still going, finally brought down 10m out. ABs shft it right and Mo'unga finds Goodhue who finds Read, the ABs skipper cuts back inside and crashes over. Mo'unga adds the two from out wide. NZ 25-14.

53RD MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): Great ball retention from the Pumas. They carry the ball from their own 10m line to the ABs 22. Desio creates an overlap out wide, but his pass is too high for Delguy and the ABs survive.

54TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Delguy cuts the All Blacks defence to ribbons again. Impressive from teh winger..good cover from Smith. Pumas penalty 30m out from in front.

55TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY ARGENTINA - Nico Sanchez. Makes no mistake. 8-point ball game. NZ 25-17.

57TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS - TJ Perenara. Brilliant. Aimless kick from Sanchez costs his side big time. Nice ohase play from the ABs, Lienert-Brown spots a gap and powers through four tacklers, fires it inside to an unmarked Perenara who scores his second. Conveted by Mo'unga. NZ 32-17.

61ST MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): Great ball retention from Argentina. 13 phases and the earn a midfield penalty. Doesn't find touch and the ball bobbles round, Pumas almost score but Peranara just gets there. 22 ABs. Crazy.

64TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Nathan Harris on at hooker and his first throw is average. Pumas with the ball 30m out.

65TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Pumas earn another penalty and have a lineout throw 5m out.

66TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Another penalty. ABs pulling the lineout drive down. Pumas opt for the lineout.

68TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Yet another penalty. Barrett pinged for not rolling away. Five in 10 minutes against the ABs. Scrum Argentina.

70TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ARGENTINA - Emiliano Boffelli. Lovely set piece work. Sanchez collects at first receiver and puts his fullback in untouched. Goodhue was nowhere that time. Sanchez adds the two. NZ 32-24.

73RD MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS - Shannon Frizell. Frizell deserved that. He has been outstanding tonight. Great phase play from the ABs. Everyone involved as the ABs march 30m upfield. Within 5m now and it's Frizell who crashes over close to the posts. Converted by Mo'unga. NZ 39-24.

76TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Penalty for the ABs. Lineout on halfway.

79TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Game getting a bit messy as we wind up. As I say that........
TRY ALL BLACKS - Jack Goodhue. Tahuriorangi shows some magic with a georgeous pass that finds Goodhue who scores. That's the game folks. NZ 46-24.

What a test match. The Pumas came to play and showed that if you put this All Black team under pressure they can leak points. Defence wasn't great tonight but the attack was sublime....simply sublime. Shannon Frizell man of the match for me.....he was brilliant. Perenara was great and Lienert-Brown was excellent again.

FULL TIME: All Blacks 46 Pumas 24

And the Wallabies get their 1st win in their 2018 Rugby Championship campaign against the Springboks in a close game in Brisbane after back to back losses against the All Blacks in both Sydney & Auckland.

And the 4th one is taken from Mitre 10 Cup round 4 review:

Auckland in the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership and Hawke's Bay in the Championship are the only unbeaten sides in the competition after week four action.

But the big news of the weekend was Waikato's triumphant double to take a win over Wellington before lifting the Ranfurly Shield from Taranaki in a dominating display in New Plymouth on Sunday afternoon.

Waikato 43 Wellington 31

Shaking off what had been a dire start to their season with two losses, Waikato showed Wellington they meant business with a powerful showing up front, some in-your-face defence and speed on the flanks with Sevu Reece scoring the first hat-trick of the weekend. It's a fine line in the competition for sides who have to play three times in a week, and Wellington opted to rest players, something Waikato cashed in on as a dress rehearsal for their Ranfurly Shield challenge.

Canterbury 34 Manawatu 23

Canterbury would not have needed any reminding of the fact that games with Manawatu have been a banana skin game for them in recent times. For all the fire and brimstone that Manawatu dished out, it was the conservative lineout maul that did the damage in the first half for Canterbury before their backs cut loose in the second half to secure a comfortable win.

Otago 27 Northland 23

Up 17-7 early in the second half Northland must have felt they had the chance of a win in Dunedin, but the home team resolve overcame the Northland defence. Jona Nareki and Joketani Koroi did the damage for Otago by touching down for tries that built on the goal-kicking of Josh Ioane to claim the win. That gave Otago second place in the Championship while Northland stayed in touch with the playoffs positions by virtue of their bonus point.

Auckland 36 Tasman 10

Lock Patrick Tuipulotu's first half hat-trick of tries gave Auckland a vital lead which resulted in Tasman being placed under some rare pressure in the Premiership clash of the unbeaten sides at Eden Park, and they didn't handle it too well. But Auckland showed some welcome unity and ability to take their chances to breathe some hope back into the hearts of diehard fans who have stood by them.

Southland 26 Counties Manukau 43

Try as Southland might they can't buy a favour in the Championship. Up by 14-0, they saw Counties Manukau turn on the magic with some lovely tries to secure a lead that never looked like being challenged at halftime. There is a capacity to score points, and to defend, but when things go wrong at the moment for Southland they compound very quickly and a team as dangerous as Counties Manukau on the break was never going to make it any easier for the home side.

Hawke's Bay 29 Bay of Plenty 28

It was halfback heaven in Napier as respective halfbacks Brad Weber and Richard Judd scored two tries apiece in what was a thrilling contest, decided in the 78th minute with a home town try for replacement prop Joe Apikatoa. More importantly, the win has put Hawke's Bay clear in the Championship and looking forward to a top of the table contest with Waikato in Week Five.

Wellington 35 North Harbour 23

Wellington needed to get back in the winners' circle and while it took them 70 minutes to achieve that there could be no doubt they were deserving winners over North Harbour. The visitors' squandered too many chances and failed to secure ball from their own lineout especially and paid the price. It doesn't get any easier this week either when they host Canterbury and Bay of Plenty.

Taranaki 19 Waikato 33

It may have been a tough few days for Waikato but the rewards will outweigh any pain with consecutive wins over Premiership sides Wellington and Taranaki and a Ranfurly Shield to savour. But they can't celebrate too long as they face their first challenge from Hawke's Bay on Thursday. But a second place in the Championship has ensured them of a competitive chance of securing a home playoffs berth.

And the 5th one is taken from All Blacks team naming against the Springboks:

Well, the All Blacks have named their team yesterday morning against the Springboks (Who'll be out for revenge 4 years after they last beat them in Johannesburg) at the Cake Tin in the windy city of Welly so here is the starting lineup in it's entirety:

FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Karl Tu'inukuafe (North Harbour/Chiefs)
2 (Hooker): Codie Taylor (Canterbury/Crusaders)
3 (Tight head prop): Owen Franks (Canterbury/Crusaders)

SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Sam Whitelock (Canterbury/Crusaders)
5 (Lock): Scott Barrett (Taranaki/Crusaders)

BACK ROW
6 (Blindside Flanker): Liam Squire (Tasman/Highlanders)
7 (Openside Flanker): Sam Cane (Bay Of Plenty/Chiefs)
8 (Number 8): Kieran Read (Captain, Canterbury/Crusaders)

HALVES
9 (Half-back): Aaron Smith (Manawatu/Highlanders)
10 (First five eighth): Beauden Barrett (Taranaki/Hurricanes)

MIDFIELD
12 (Second five eighth): Ryan Crotty (Canterbury/Crusaders)
13 (Centre): Anton Lienert-Brown (Waikato/Chiefs)

OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left Wing): Rieko Ioane (Auckland/Blues)
14 (Right Wing): Ben Smith (Otago/Highlanders)
& 15 (Fullback): Jordie Barrett (Taranaki/Hurricanes)

And in the reserves are:

16. Liam Coltman (Who replaces Nathan Harris at reserve hooker with Harris being told to rest by the All Black selectors)
17. Tim Perry
18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (Who replaces Sam Whitelock with Whitelock elevating to the starting lineup replacing the injured Brodie Retallick)
20. Ardie Savea (Who replaces Luke Whitelock with Sam Cane returning to the starting lineup)
21. TJ Perenara (Who is dropped to the bench to replace Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi with Aaron Smith back in the starting lineup)
22. Jack Goodhue (Who is dropped to the bench with Sonny Bill Williams's comeback being put on hold to wear the number 22 jersey)
& 23. Damian McKenzie (Who shifts to the reserve back position to replace Anton Lienert-Brown who is elevated to the starting lineup replacing Jack Goodhue at centre).

And the 6th one is taken from South African rugby risen from the ashes (Jordie Barrett's fault):

Well, unfortunately for the All Blacks, they have lost, this time to the dominant South Africa side during the 4th round of the 2018 Rugby Championship season at Westpac Stadium (Simply known as the Cake Tin) in Wellington.

And so many mistakes which cost them our chance of winning such as Jordie Barrett's quick throw in turned into an intercept allowing Springbok fullback Willie Le Roux to capitalize in order to score a vital try (That's what the All Blacks coaching staff were thinking for the next match in Buenos Aires against Argentina to tone down the quick line out throws) & Beauden Barrett's goal kicking nightmare misery despite only nailing a single conversion not only because we were inconsistent.

And not only Rassie Erasmus may have saved a certain job as Springbok coach after his country's vital win against the All Blacks who are desperately need to bounce back but 1st they must play Argentina in Buenos Aires at the Estadio Jose Amalfitani in the next round of the 2018 Rugby Championship season before taking on the Springboks again in Pretoria at Loftus Versfeld for possibly the decider if the Boks seek revenge & beat the Wallabies.

And the 7th one is taken from Mitre 10 Cup round 5 review:

It's official, Auckland are back.

The last box needing to be ticked by them was beating Canterbury in Christchurch and they achieved that on Sunday with their 34-29 win.

After years of being Canterbury's whipping boys, Auckland muscled up and took the game to the defending champions ensuring the latter stages of the season are going to provide some more competitive play.

In the Premiership, Auckland, Canterbury, Wellington and Tasman have put a gap between themselves and the chasing sides.

Ranfurly Shield holders Waikato are sitting on top of the Championship, although all other sides have a game in hand. Hawke's Bay, Otago and Northland hold the first four places.

North Harbour 21 Canterbury 31

Canterbury's ability to react to pressure was tested in the first game of the fifth round when North Harbour scored classic tries to tie the game up at 14-14. However, in their inimitable fashion, Canterbury resorted to type and poured on the pressure in the second half to get out to 31 points before North Harbour mounted a belated but ultimately unproductive surge.

Waikato 42 Hawke's Bay 22

Hawke's Bay journeyed to Hamilton buoyed by the prospective of a Ranfurly Shield challenge. After all, what better way to take revenge for their loss of the log of wood in 2014 than to claim it back. That was especially knowing the game was the third in eight days for Waikato. In fact, that never became an issue as Waikato were in complete control of the game with their dynamo Sevu Reece again a spark to their success.

Northland 49 Manawatu 19

Sometimes redemption comes in the most unlikely form and after seven straight losses to Manawatu, Northland turned it on big time for their fans in Whangarei when running in seven tries to three in a dominant display that kept their Championship playoffs hopes alive. Their Australian import Jack Cebreczeni showed his worth in contributing 19 points.

Tasman 53 Taranaki 17

Losing the Ranfurly Shield can go two ways. Teams bounce back with emphatic wins, or they slip further into the mire, and that was the case in Nelson as the home team underwent their own revival after a heavy loss to Auckland. The power of the home pack proved significant and demonstrated why Tasman are such a threat when the playoffs arrive.

Counties Manukau 12 Wellington 53

Wellington retained the Jonah Lomu Memorial Trophy in emphatic fashion on a glorious Saturday afternoon in Pukekohe. After powering to a 29-0 halftime lead on the back of strong performances from Jackson Garden-Bachop and Vaea Fifita, Wellington didn't relinquish their stranglehold on the match as they ran out bonus point winners.

Southland 24 Otago 43

No relief from their lack of success occurred for Southland who were well beaten by their southern neighbours Otago at Rugby Park. A hat-trick of tries to Mitchell Scott was only part of the frustration for the home side who also saw Jona Nareki cross twice as well. They did score three tries of their own but they were unable to break the control the visitors exerted.

North Harbour 32 Bay of Plenty 20

Relief at last for North Harbour who found themselves on the bottom of the Premiership table. Bay of Plenty were in their firing line on Sunday. It wasn't the most classic of games but North Harbour made the better use of their opportunities with Shaun Stevenson setting up a key try for Tevita Li while Bryn Gatland's 17 points proved crucial, especially as Bay of Plenty lost their own first five Mike Delany at halftime.

Canterbury 29 Auckland 34

From the moment flanker Dalton Papali'i pulled off an interception from a scrum in the first minute, it was clear that this Auckland unit was different from some of those in the past. Second five-eighths TJ Faiane benefited by scoring a hat-trick of tries and the confidence Auckland showed in running the ball from their line highlighted their changed approach. Canterbury finished strong with two late tries but the damage had been done.

And the 8th one is taken from Mitre 10 Cup round 6 review:

Auckland has the slimmest of leads in the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership after the sixth week of games, but they have a game in hand and not facing their double round until the last week of regular season play.

Waikato are five points clear in the Championship, although second-placed Hawke's Bay has a game in hand.

Sixth week action was:

Manawatu 19-29 Tasman
It can be tough when having to play two games in a round and Tasman opted to give the bench players starts in Palmerston North. That meant there was work to be done to contain a lively Manawatu side which faced the same predicament. Two in front at halftime, Tasman made good use of its bench and with a lively display from halfback Finlay Christie who stirred the side along for the win which was just as well given how close they were pushed in their second game of the round. Tasman are one point behind Auckland, with Wellington and Canterbury one point behind.

Northland 26-10 Southland
Taking key points when they are on hand, Northland are proving consistent in the Championship and lifted themselves to third place while Southland are still looking for their first win. Periods of defensive inertia cost the southerners dearly while Northland have developed a level of confidence that ensures opportunities seized are capitalised on to the maximum. It's not the sort of warm-up Southland wanted ahead of a Ranfurly Shield challenge on Saturday.

Bay of Plenty 21-54 Waikato
Waikato demonstrated their desire to make a quick exit from the Championship when claiming a key win to dominate the points table to further highlight their recovery this season. Up 21-7 at the turn, Waikato hit Bay of Plenty hard early in the second half with a chargedown try and the confidence went all in Waikato's direction. Hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho scored twice to make it six for the season – level with North Harbour's Tevita Li.

Hawke's Bay 34-51 North Harbour
North Harbour produced a stunning finish to finally kill off a positive Hawke's Bay effort at McLean Park. The home team refused to concede ground for 68 minutes of the game when the scores were locked at 34-all. Whether it was the home team getting over-excited sniffing an upset, or sheer doggedness from North Harbour in securing key turnovers, the visitors picked up three late tries to put distance between themselves and the Bay, hooker James Parsons celebrating his ton of games for Harbour by landing the last conversion.

Otago 25-47 Canterbury
Sometimes it is hard to believe there is any disparity between the two levels of the tournament and for 55 minutes that was the case in Dunedin. Otago pulled off some lovely set piece plays but let other opportunities slip. And against a team like Canterbury that is always likely to cost points. So it proved with three tries in eight minutes around the three-quarter mark ending Otago's bid. But there were encouraging signs for the southerners.

Taranaki 30-31 Auckland
If ever a team knows about being down on their luck it is Auckland but they came out on the right side of the ledger when in spite of two conversion attempts in injury time, Stephen Perofeta was unable to steal a win for a desperate Taranaki side. That was on top of Akira Ioane's brilliant start to the game, scoring the first try after only 29 seconds. Auckland stayed top of the points table in their best season for several years while Taranaki could only lament lost opportunities.

Tasman 21-19 Counties Manukau
It was just as well Tasman scored their 21 points when they did because they faced a storming effort from Counties Manukau as they scored 19 unanswered points. They breathed a sigh of relief when a conversion attempt by Luteru Laulala was wide in the late stages. But a similar effort in Wellington next Saturday could prove a worry for Tasman unless they buck their efforts up. Counties have a chance to gain some vital points when hosting Northland on Sunday.

Wellington 49-7 Manawatu
Things flowed nicely for the resurgent Wellington team who overran their northern neighbours in Palmerston North on Sunday afternoon. That's encouraging as they look to secure a playoffs place in their first season back in the Premiership. But things don't look so good for a Manawatu team who fired some big shots early on without being able to maintain the effort through the middle stages of the competition.

And the 9th one is taken from Scott Dixon's 5th Indycar title & Tiger Woods's PGA Tour victory report:

And it's been a fortnight & 2 days since our very own Kiwi Scott Dixon (Remember that guy known as the Iceman as he was crowned rookie of the year honors in his 1st season in Champ Car in 2001, 2 years before moving over to the IRL (Indy Racing League) in which Dixon won his 1st title in 2003, 5 years before he won the Indy 500 once (Same year that both Champ Car & IRL merged & became the Indycar Series) and again became the Indycar Series champion in 2008, 5 years before he won his 3rd Indycar Series title way back in 2013 & of course, 3 years before Dixon would win his 4th title in 2015) won his 5th Verizon Indycar Series title in Sonoma after a 2nd place finish & is now 2nd to A.J. Foyt's all-time record for United States open wheel titles ensuring that Dixon won 3 races (In the 1st of 2 races in Detroit, Texas & Toronto) over the course of the 2018 Indycar season.

And finally in golf news, Tiger Woods (Also remember the guy who was world no.1 in men's golf from 1998 to 2003 (It was in 2004 that the great Fijian golfer, Vijay Singh, took over the number 1 world ranking from Woods), 2005 to 2009 & once briefly in 2013) has at last, won a PGA Tour event for the 1st time in over 5 years at the Tour Championship at the East Lake golf course in Atlanta, Georgia.

P.S. And we saw that Johnny English movie on Sunday & it was incredibly funny & after that, had Indian for lunch with Pops & Carole (I quite liked her meals when we had our dinner of the day today at Carole's house (Known as Tikitere).

And we had the Japanese visitors (Their names were Aya & Hiroyuki) from the Friendship Force here last month which was a success (They went to the rugby on a Saturday & to Caroline's for dinner on a Thursday).

And the 10th one is taken from Aunty Tania's famous people mentions:

Just to mention that Aunty Tania told me during our family trip to the South Island last year that she saw very famous Irish actor Liam Neeson at a cafe in Melbourne as well as she sat next to famous All Black rugby star Jonah Lomu at a Tongan graduation in 1995 but Aunty Tan emailed to me this year that she went with Bull Allen at Stratford High School because he was at her class & she infamously saw All Black Michael Jones at Timo Tagaloa's wedding (Although he married one of Aunty Tania's best friends Frances Tagaloa) & was among several rugby players present.

And the 11th one is taken from All Blacks team naming against Argentina (Part 2):

Well, the All Blacks have named their team against Argentina at the Jose Amalfitani Stadium in Buenos Aires (But the big question is: Can we bounce back after our devastating loss against South Africa in Wellington? I'd would say probably, we will just wait & see but if we win, we retain the Rugby Championship for another year (Much more like if they build it they will come) so here is the starting lineup in it's entirety:

FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Karl Tu'inukuafe (North Harbour/Chiefs)
2 (Hooker): Codie Taylor (Canterbury/Crusaders)
3 (Tight head prop): Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Auckland/Blues)

SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Sam Whitelock (Captain, Canterbury/Crusaders)
5 (Lock): Scott Barrett (Taranaki/Crusaders)

BACK ROW
6 (Blindside Flanker): Shannon Frizell (Tasman/Highlanders)
7 (Openside Flanker): Sam Cane (Bay Of Plenty/Chiefs)
8 (Number 8): Ardie Savea (Wellington/Hurricanes)

HALVES
9 (Half-back): TJ Perenara (Wellington/Hurricanes)
10 (First five eighth): Beauden Barrett (Taranaki/Hurricanes)

MIDFIELD
12 (Second five eighth): Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau/Blues)
13 (Centre): Ryan Crotty (Canterbury/Crusaders)

OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left Wing): Rieko Ioane (Auckland/Blues)
14 (Right Wing): Waisake Naholo (Taranaki/Highlanders)
& 15 (Fullback): Ben Smith (Otago/Highlanders)

And in the reserves are:

16. Nathan Harris (Who has been brought back to the bench to replace Liam Coltman)
17. Tim Perry
18. Angus Ta'avao (Who replaces Ofa Tu'ungafasi to make his test debut off the bench with Tu'ungafasi elevated to the starting lineup to replace Owen Franks who is being rested along with skipper Kieran Read)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu
20. Jackson Hemopo (Who had to replace Ardie Savea who is elevated to the starting lineup to replace Luke Whitelock who had to pull out 50 minutes before kick off due to a stomach bug)
21. Aaron Smith (Who is dropped to the bench with TJ Perenara back in the starting lineup)
22. Richie Mo'unga (Who replaces Jack Goodhue to cover at first five)
& 23. Anton Lienert-Brown (Who replaces his good mate Damian McKenzie to cover the midfield).

And the 12th one is taken from All Blacks win 16th southern hemisphere rugby competition (Tri-Nations (1996 - 2011) & Rugby Championship (Since 2012):

Well, the All Blacks have retained the Rugby Championship & returned to winning ways after they got it done right against Argentina so here is the full match commentary:

Kia ora and welcome to live updates of the All Blacks as they take on the Pumas at Estadio Jose Amalfitani.

The Pumas pushed the world champs to the limit for 70 minutes in Nelson earlier this month. Can they go one better on home soil and claim a special slice of rugby history?

Commentary will start from around 11:30am (NZ time).

Line ups:

New Zealand: 1-Karl Tu'inukuafe, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 4-Samuel Whitelock, 5-Scott Barrett, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Sam Cane, 8-Ardie Savea, 9-TJ Perenara, 10-Beauden Barrett, 11-Rieko Ioane, 12-Sonny Bill Williams, 13-Ryan Crotty, 14-Waisake Naholo, 15-Ben Smith

Reserves: 16-Nathan Harris, 17-Tim Perry, 18-Angus Ta'avao, 19-Patrick Tuipulotu, 20-Jackson Hemopo, 21-Aaron Smith, 22-Richie Mo'unga, 23-Anton Lienert-Brown

Argentina: 1-Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, 2-Augustin Creevy (c), 3-Ramiro Herrera, 4-Guido Petti 5- Tomás Lavanini, 6-Pablo Matera, 7-Marcos Kremer, 8-Javier Ortego Desio, 9-Gonzalo Bertranou, 10-Nicolás Sánchez 11-Matías Moroni, 12-Bautista Ezcurra, 13-Jeronimo de la Fuente, 14-Bautista Delguy, 15-Emiliano Boffelli

Reserves: 16-Julian Montoya, 17-Juan Pablo Zeiss, 18-Santiago Medrano, 19-Matías Alemanno, 20-Juan Manuel Leguizamon, 21-Tomas Cubelli, 22-Matías Orlando, 23-Sebastian Cancelliere.

11:00am: A late change for the All Blacks starting side as Luke Whitelock (Who has got some problems but we have Luke Whitelock who has been struck down with food poisoning) is scratched with illness.

11:08am: Here's your updated All Blacks squad.

Both these sides love to counter-attack, we should see plenty of end-to-end action this morning.

11:20am: What began as a gloomy day in Buenos Aires righted itself just in time for nightfall and conditions seem ideal for some open, running rugby.

11:23am: All Blacks coach Steve Hansen clarifies the nature of Luke Whitelock's illness. Let's just say he hasn't left the bathroom for a while.

11:37am: A valiant effort from the local singer with the NZ anthem. Some deft camerawork to avoid revealing that he's blatantly reading the words.

11:40am: Passion in buckets as the Argentina anthem rings through the stadium. Stirring, rousing, all of that good stuff.

11:42am: Perenara leads the haka in his 50th test - Kapa o Pango is the flavour for today. Crowd soaks it up in silence.

1ST MINUTE: SBW gets his first touch from the opening kick. Penalty quickly blown for NZ and they'll move to a lineout at halfway.

2ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Shocker of a throw by Taylor and the Pumas are on the offensive. Bomb goes up and they regain possession but the penalty goes to NZ, great work at the breakdown by Cane.

4TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): And another mistimed throw sails over the back from taylor, Pumas claim the ball. Sanchez charged down, recycling well but the NZ defense is up to the task.

5TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Bomb goes up and Naholo makes a meal of it, Pumas back on the attack. Ball goes wide, some quick hands release wing Delguy and they've earned a penalty right in front of the posts. Frizell pinged for offisde at the ruck. Sanchez slots it with ease to start the scoring.

7TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Taylor nails his throw this time as NZ launch....

8TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Naholo bursts through a yawning gap, holds the ball up well for Ben Smith who links with Rieko Ioane, over he goes for yet another five-pointer in the corner. And what do ya know, Barrett sends it over the black dot from the sideline. (NZ 7-3)

10TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Frizell drops one cold as NZ look to exit, Pumas edge towards the 22m...and they've got another penalty, this time for not releasing. Scott Barrett the offender. Sanzhez from close range...and he's absolutely shanked it. One of the best kickers in the world, wow.

12TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Barrett clears, Pumas return fire. Barrett crushes one out on the full. Pumas lineout at the NZ 22m.

14TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Pumas knock-on at the lineout. NZ scrum just outside their 22m.

15TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Barrett soars to claim the high ball and Frizell is freed on the outside, finds Ioane and they edge towards the Pumas 22m.

16TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Pumas knock-on again from a line-out at their own 5m mark. NZ pack down with plenty of attacking options.

17TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Monster NZ scrum stopped just short, Perenara goes quickly to a storming Naholo who does brilliantly to reach out at full stretch and score. Barrett converts. (NZ 14-3)

19TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Pumas scrum after a slick behind the back pass from Barrett edges forward. They launch from halfway...

21ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The Pumas work it well through the midfield but another error kills their momentum. NZ scrum on their 10m mark.

22ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): NZ work the wrap play from setpiece but the Pumas read it well, Crotty taken down and the ball is fumbled. Pumas will feed a scrum just outside the NZ 10m.

23RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Enormous shove from the NZ pack and Perenara bursts clear but the ref pulls it back, deems the front-rows had come up. Hmmmm.

24TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Pumas free kick for the early shove. they hoist one into the cluds and barrett does really well to claim the free kick under duress.

26TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Pumas win the line-out and work through the phases. NZ fringe defence is punishing, lead by none other then Sam Whitelock. Slow progress here, they go wide but a poor pass is knocked on.

28TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): NZ scrum 30m from their line. Another huge shunt from the All Blacks pack which continues to dominate its Pumas counterparts. Penalty NZ and Barrett kicks a gem of a touchfinder. NZ lineout at the Pumas 22m...

30TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Ball springs from the ruck after a Pumas turnover, Ioane pouces to go 30m untouched and score his second try of the day. Unfortunate for the locals after some fantastic defense. Taylor was hoved at the ruck and into the ball which appears to have forced it clear. Barrett ignore the jeers and whistles and sends another conversion right down the middle. (NZ 21-3)

32ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): NZ make good metres from the restart, lovely interplay from the forwards as they move past halfway...

33RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Tu'inukuafe direct as usual, Savea bounces off defenders as they enter the redzone. Turnover Pumas, they win the penalty at the ruck. Lineout back at their own 10m.

34TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Beautiful chip and regather play from phase one by the Pumas. Sanchez through a gap, 10m from the NZ line now...

36TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): NZ defense scramles well, Savea getting through a mountain of work. SBW with a crucial ball-and-all hit but the Pumas win a penalty, early tackle ruled. Pumas turn down the shot and go to the 5m lineout...

37TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), UH-OH...UH-OH! YELLOW CARD: More phenomenal defense from NZ on their try line. Play stalls at the ruck courtesy of Sam Cane but the ref is going back for an advantage. SBW is shown a yellow card after minimal warning. Cops one for the team there, repeated offside.

38TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Pumas go to the lineout again, and they knock-on amid the contest from Scott Barrett. NZ rewarded for a great defensive spell.

40TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Savea off the back of a shaky scrum, barnstorming run. Pumas penalised and that may see us into the sheds. Nope, time for one last lineout for NZ, right on the 50m.

42ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Pumas hold Savea up in the tackle and rip the ball clear, they're off on the counterattack! Pulled down at the NZ 22m line but the subsequent pass from ther ruck goes forward. And that will do us for the half.

HALFTIME - Decent first half of action both ways, Pumas have dominated possession and territory but poor execution has let them down. Meanwhile the All Blacks, taking the chances they've been afforded. Join us back here shortly for the second half.

Second half underway....

40TH MINUTE: NZ take the clearing kick from the restart and they work to halfway. Barrett hoists a non-threatening bomb and it's easily claimed.

42ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Petti finds space from the base of the ruck and the Pumas build momentum, over halfway they go...

43RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Sanchez ghosts through a gap, goes inside the NZ 22m and then is met by a brutal hit from both Crotty and B. Barrett which sends him horizontal to the deck. On review it's called a penalty, that's a really harsh call.

44TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Sanchez looks for the cheeky crossfield kick and it's straight to Naholo, but Taylor knocks on from the ensuing ruck. Pumas scrum 5m out...

46TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): But there's that NZ pack again, enormous hit at the scrum and they inw a penalty to relieve the pressure. NZ work it from the lineout but Petti does really well to hold the attacking player up and win his side the loosehead feed just inside NZ territory.

48TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): NZ scrum bulldozers forward but the ref pings them for a penalty. Pumas on the offensive, dragged down just 5m short. Advantage being played, and blown up. Bit of niggle between the two sides as Taylor has a shove. Ref wants a word and the crowd volume lifts to another level.

49TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): And another golden opportunity bungled by the Pumas as the lineout throw sails long. NZ win a penalty and Barrett takes us to a lineout at the NZ 10m.

50TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Taylor's throw is off the mark again, that's his third error. Pumas feed at the scrum but great pressure by Perenara leads to a fumble. The error-fest continues.

51ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): NZ ring the changes and out jogs Dilworth School great Angus Ta'avao to earn his first test cap. A special moment for the big prop.

52ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Ardie Savea bursts from the back of the scrum and schews up 30-odd metres before making a great offload to naholo, but the wing loses the ball in the tackle. This one is certainly not pretty viewing.

53RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): SBW draws defenders before throwing an audacious trademark offload to free Ioane, the winger setting sail for the line but tripped by a last-ditch ankle tap. NZ win the penalty.

54TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Sustained goal-line pressure as NZ keep it tight before Patrick Tuipulotu hits a short ball at pace and crashes over out wide. Barrett nails yet another one, you think he's been working on his kicking after Wellington? Perfect off the tee so far today. (NZ 28-3)

58TH MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): Pumas break clear from the restart, Sanchez the catalyst again. NZ have to scramble on defense, as they've done plenty this contest. Taylor's tackle is ruled high and the Pumas throw a lineout 5m out....
TRY ARGENTINA: Cubelli pulled down just short, they go upstairs to review it. Looks as though he's had a second effort while tackled but the ref says no double movement, try awarded. (NZ 28-10)

60TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Mo'unga into the action quickly, breaks the line but his pass wide is knocked back by a Pumas defender to save a certain try.

62ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Ioane on the inside ball but he's spilled it in the tackle, Pumas clear to halfway.

63RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Mo'unga on for Smith, by the way. Barrett to fullback. And he's back in the action again on a slick double around, frees Barrett but the next pass is off the defender's shoulder and into touch.

65TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Ta'avao anchors a monster ABs scrum to win a penalty against the feed. NZ lineout 5m out now....

67TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Edging towards the line now, the All Blacks keeping the ball tight as they pick and go. Lavanini pounces on a ruck and wins his side a penalty, impressive work by the lock.

68TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Smith and Hemopo now on the park.
TRY ARGENTINA: Pinpoint grubber placed from halfway by Sanchez puts the Puimas just metres form the line, Matera pulled down just short and the quick skip pass wide puts Boffelli over the chalk. Sanchez nails the sideline conversion and it's game on. (NZ 28-17)

70TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): NZ swiftly back on attack as they look to reply but Scott Barrett fumbles and the Pumas hoof one deep. Barrett cleans up at the back and has to scramble one into touch. Pumas throw the lineout but a poor pass is kicked deep with just one defnder at home, Barrett chases hard and the Pumas have bungled the clean up and Barrett may have got a hand on the ball to score. Upstairs they go...

71ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Looks like the defender just got a hand on the ball to force it before Barrett. It will be a 5m scrum for the All Blacks.

73RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: The NZ scrum makes mice meat of the Pumas yet again and the arm goes out for advantage, Mo'unga with a heads-up play to grubber through and he judges it perfectly for Anton Lienert-Brown to plant it next to the post. That should kill off the contest. Barrett keeps it 100. (NZ 35-17)

77TH MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): Pumas unable to control the ball after they breach the NZ 22m. All Blacks scrum.

78TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Crotty breaks clear! Find Lienert-Brown inside and they go to ground at the Pumas 22m. Brilliant support from Cane to keep the movement alive.

79TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Tuipulotu knocks on and the Pumas clear, Mo'unga scoops it up and places a deft kick to trap the Pumas deep in their own corner, NZ will throw a lineout at the 22m.

80TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Penalty and ball into touch, that will do it for the Rugby Championship - chalk up a 16th title for New Zealand.

All Blacks - 35 Argentina - 17

P.S. And the Springboks have won 2 in a row in the 2018 Rugby Championship (Well, with the All Blacks hoping for payback in the next game since South Africa beat them in Wellington), downing the out of control Wallabies at Port Elizabeth.

And the 13th one is taken from All Blacks team naming against the Wallabies for Bledisloe III in Japan:

Well, the All Blacks have named their team against the confident Wallabies side (Who are hungry for a win in order to avoid an 0 & 3 against the AB's for the 2nd year running) in the 3rd & final Bledisloe Cup test in Yokohama, Japan so here is the starting lineup in it's entirety:

FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Joe Moody (Canterbury/Crusaders)
2 (Hooker): Codie Taylor (Canterbury/Crusaders)
3 (Tight head prop): Owen Franks (Canterbury/Crusaders)

SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Sam Whitelock (Canterbury/Crusaders)
5 (Lock): Scott Barrett (Taranaki/Crusaders)

BACK ROW
6 (Blindside Flanker): Liam Squire (Tasman/Highlanders)
7 (Openside Flanker): Ardie Savea (Wellington/Hurricanes)
8 (Number 8): Kieran Read (Captain, Canterbury/Crusaders)

HALVES
9 (Half-back): TJ Perenara (Wellington/Hurricanes)
10 (First five eighth): Beauden Barrett (Taranaki/Hurricanes)

MIDFIELD
12 (Second five eighth): Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau/Blues)
13 (Centre): Ryan Crotty (Canterbury/Crusaders)

OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left Wing): Rieko Ioane (Auckland/Blues)
14 (Right Wing): Ben Smith (Otago/Highlanders)
& 15 (Fullback): Damian McKenzie (Waikato/Chiefs)

And in the reserves are:

16. Nathan Harris
17. Karl Tu'inukuafe (Who is dropped to the bench with the injury prone Joe Moody successfully coming back from a thumb injury to start at loose head prop)
18. Nepo Laulala (Who successfully returns from a broken arm to replace Ofa Tu'ungafasi)
19. Brodie Retallick (Who replaces Patrick Tuipulotu after successfully recovering from a shoulder injury)
20. Matt Todd (Who is back with the All Blacks (Including a stint with the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan) after being named on the bench, replacing Ardie Savea (Who is elevated to the starting lineup to replace Sam Cane who is ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a serious neck injury)
21. Aaron Smith (Who is dropped to the bench with TJ Perenara returning to the starting lineup)
22. Richie Mo'unga
& 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.

So that is my 259th blog of the year 2018 (MMXVIII) & my 79th this year (And it is 2 days remaining until the big day which is the real thing on the 25th of December, Christmas).

Monday, 17 December 2018

The year in review (Part 4)

Well, this is part 4 of my year in review so here's another of those best blogs with the most views of the month from the July - August period beginning with 2018 FIFA World Cup final review (+ Super Rugby news) but this topic is about the 2018 FIFA World Cup final in which the French (Led by Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris & coached by a great former World Cup winning player & captain 20 years ago, Didier Deschamps + some star power including Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid, Paul Pogba of Manchester United & the young teenage sensation of Paris St Germain, Kylian Mbappe) prevailed over the Croatians (Led by Real Madrid's best player in the world now (Who had taken over from the incomparable Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal), Luka Modric & coached by Zlatko Dalic & some stars including FC Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic, Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic & AS Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic) on a faithful Russian night to remember in Moscow (Well, France had to triumph with no love lost between the 2 sides but they were rightfully became champions of the world again after 20 long years & had to go home from Russia with a love affair at the World Cup but the news headlines would probably say: ALLEZ LES BLEUS! THE FRENCH RESISTANCE CONQUER RUSSIA) & the Super Rugby news flash had just happened just before the quarterfinals had taken place:

Well it was on Sunday that me & Pops went to Thai Villa for dinner (I had a Pad Thai there) on the eve of the 2018 FIFA World Cup final (Although one of my Jewish mates Leon watched it on Prime at the Command Post at 15 Alexander Street but he was here yesterday at my home since December 2016) between France & Croatia but the match ended at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia (Host nation) which France (Featuring the likes of Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann, Manchester United's Paul Pogba & young 19 year old teenage sensation from Paris St Germain on loan from AS Monaco, Kylian Mbappe) prevailed over Luka Modric (Who plays for Real Madrid) & Co of Croatia in a 4 - 2 victory to lift their 4th World Cup trophy so here's the match commentary taken from NZ Herald:

France and Croatia will take unchanged lineups into the World Cup final.

France coach Didier Deschamps has retained the starting 11 which beat Belgium 1-0 in the semifinals after Blaise Matuidi returned from a suspension in the quarterfinals.

Zlatko Dalic has stuck with Marcelo Brozovic in midfield after he came into the lineup for Croatia's 2-1, extra-time semifinal win over England. That means forward Andrej Kramaric remains on the bench.

Lineups:

France: Hugo Lloris, Benjamin Pavard, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe, N'Golo Kante, Blaise Matuidi, Lucas Hernandez.

Croatia lineup: Danijel Subasic, Sime Vrsaljko, Ivan Strinic, Ivan Perisic, Dejan Lovren, Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic, Mario Mandzukic, Ante Rebic, Domagoj Vida.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will help present the trophy to the winning captain after the World Cup final.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino will join Putin for the ceremony on the field at Luzhniki Stadium.

The recent World Cup tradition is for presidents of FIFA and the host nation to jointly hand over the gold-and-malachite trophy.

Four years ago, then-FIFA leader Sepp Blatter and Brazil's then-president Dilma Rousseff presented the trophy to Germany captain Philipp Lahm.

So it's France vs Croatia. Either Hugo Lloris or Luka Modric will lift the trophy this morning. After all the surprises this tournament has thrown up it seems these two teams certainly deserve their spots in the final.

Meanwhile it's a Serbian trying to steal a little bit of limelight on Croatia's big day. Novak Djokovic is two sets up over Kevin Anderson in the Wimbledon final.

Here come the players under the stadium about to play the biggest match of their lives.

Here comes German great and 2014 winner Philipp Lahm with the World Cup. I learned during the week that the winning team will get to have the trophy for the post-match but then have to hand it back to FIFA. They will then be given the Winner's Trophy - a second World Cup trophy - which is the one they take home for four years.

The players walk out. Seven Nation Army is played. Here are the anthems. The French first.

The players shake hands. We're a few minutes away.

France: 1 Hugo Lloris, 2 Benjamin Pavard, 4 Raphael Varane, 5 Samuel Umtiti, 6 Paul Pogba, 7 Antoine Griezmann, 9 Olivier Giroud, 10 Kylian Mbappe, 13 N'Golo Kante, 14 Blaise Matuidi, 21 Lucas Hernandez.

Croatia: 1 Danijel Subasic, 2 Sime Vrsaljko, 3 Ivan Strinic, 4 Ivan Perisic, 6 Dejan Lovren, 7 Ivan Rakitic, 10 Luka Modric, 11 Marcelo Brozovic, 17 Mario Mandzukic, 18 Ante Rebic, 21 Domagoj Vida.

Six of the French team started the European final two years ago. Interesting to note Olivier Giroud has not had one shot on target at the World Cup.

Croatia unchanged with most of these players have played in three extra-time games.

We're underway.

1ST MINUTE, FRANCE 0 CROATIA 0: Croatia begin with possession but can't get forward too far before turning it over. An early foul by Modric on Samuel Umtiti as the French defender looks to bring it out on the edge of his own box.

2 MINUTES LATER, FRANCE 0 CROATIA 0: And Modric gives away another foul in the French half. Croatia with the first attack of the game. Benjamin Pavard gives up the ball and Ivan Perisic gets into the box. But France clear.

2 MINUTES LATER, FRANCE 0 CROATIA 0: Croatia on the attack again. Sime Vrsaljko gets space wide right and sends in a cross but it's blocked by Varane. France once again clear.

Croatia have a corner as Ivan Strinic gets in the French box

4 MINUTES LATER, FRANCE 0 CROATIA 0: Lloris doesn't get to it but Giroud clears with his head. All Croatia early on.

2 MINUTES LATER: France 0 Croatia 0: Long ball from Ivan Rakitic finds Ivan Perisic in the box. He brings it down but loses the ball as it goes out for a goal kick. Croatia winning the midfield battle. A number if turnovers turned into attacking chances.

2 MINUTES LATER, FRANCE 0 CROATIA 0: Yet to have a shot on goal. Croatia have had 66% of possession in the opening 13 minutes.

But another Croatia attack down the lefthand side with Ivan Perisic. He can't get a shot on goal as France clear for a throw-in.

5 MINUTES LATER: France 0 Croatia 0: France look to attack for the first time as a long ball finds Mbappe. He can't control the ball but Giroud wins in back. A foul on Griezmann gives France a prime spot from a free kick. About 25 metres out.

GOAL FRANCE

Griezmann's free kick finds a head and goes in

Possible own-goal? Yes. It's off the head of Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic. It's the 12th own goal of the tournament.

Griezmann was aiming at one French head among five Croatian defenders and it was a Croatian who nodded it in.

FRANCE 1 CROATIA 0

It's the fourth time in the knockout stage that Croatia are trailing.

3 MINUTES LATER: France 1 Croatia 0: Now Croatia with an attacking freekick.

This one is wide right.

Luka Modric finds the head of Vida but it goes over the crossbar.

Since 1974 just one team has comeback to win the World Cup final - Italy over France in 2006. And the losing sides have combined for just one goal in the last seven finals.

3 MINUTES LATER, FRANCE 1 CROATIA 0: Things opening up as France attack once again but it's quickly shut down. Croatia go down the other end and get another attacking freekick.

1 MINUTE LATER, FRANCE 1 CROATIA 0: Modric sends it into the box and Lloris punches away. Croatia regain the ball and a cross comes in for Mandzukic who attempts a volley that goes well over that bar. That would have been some goal if he was on target.

Yellow. First card of the game goes to Kante after bringing down Perisic as the Croatian was on attack

GOAL CROATIA

Ivan Perisic!

A great goal from Croatia and they hit back once again in this World Cup. The ball bounced around in the box before falling to Ivan Perisic. He took a touch to his left before striking it through several French defenders and past Lloris.

FRANCE 1 CROATIA 1

So that was the first shot on target of the final and it's the man who equalised in the semifinal against England with the equaliser in the final. A goal worthy of a World Cup final.

8 MINUTES LATER, FRANCE 1 CROATIA 1: France with a corner, their first of the game. Blaise Matuidi gets a head on it. Possible hand ball in the box?

In other news Novak Djokovic has claimed his fourth Wimbledon crown.

VAR checking the hand ball. Huge call. It's a penalty

We haven't had a massive VAR call in the finals but we have one in the final. It clearly hit Ivan Perisic's hand but not sure if he had time to pull it away.

Antoine Griezmann steps up. Can he give France the lead again?

GOAL FRANCE - Antoine Griezmann​

He scores and it's France 2 Croatia 1

Antoine Griezmann​ went low left Danijel Subasic went the other way.

So Croatia will need to comeback again. Five minutes left before the break.

Yellow for Lucas Hernandez. Hard tackle with Croatia on attack

Croatian free kick leads to a corner.

A few more chances there for Croatia. Seems like they have another goal in them. Samuel Umtiti is down

Three minutes of injury time. Croatia have a corner but Vida can't get a head on the ball and it goes out for a goal kick.

Halftime.

What a strange half in terms of goals. France have a 2-1 lead thanks to an own goal and a VAR handball penalty. Croatia levelled it up before the penalty. They've looked the better side as France haven't really been down the other end expect for the two goals.

Both teams are out for the second half. The question from the first half - was that a deliberate hand ball from Ivan Perisic? I say no.

45TH MINUTE, FRANCE 2 CROATIA 1: Croatia on attack early wide right but French defence shuts it down. France then have their first shot on goal in play. Griezmann attempts from outside the box but straight at Subasic.

Ante Rebic fires a shot on goal that Lloris tips over the bar. Croatia corner.

A Croatian head sends the ball back across goal but Vida can't get onto the end of it and it goes out for a goal kick.

5 MINUTES LATER, FRANCE 2 CROATIA 1: Varane gives up the ball and Mandzukic advances into the box. He looks for a pass across goal but can't find his man. However Croatia win a corner. Good start to the second half. The corner is cleared, the ball falls to Sime Vrsaljko who fires from distance over the bar.

It's end to end stuff. Croatia on attack but quickly down the other end Mbappe outpaces Vida and fires on goal but Subasic saves.

We have four pitch invaders on the field but they are quickly dealt to.

Odd scenes. Two of the got to the middle of the field.

Croatia have a corner as a long ball is punched away by Lloris. Though the decision is changed to offside.

N'Golo Kante coming off. Steven Nzonzi on.

GOAL FRANCE

Paul Pogba makes it 3-1. France on the counter attack through Kylian Mbappe. He passed across goal where the ball eventually found Antoine Griezmann who played it back to Pogba on edge of box. He sent it by an unmoved Subasic.

France almost score again. They have a corner.

GOAL FRANCE

Wow. Wow. Wow. Kylian Mbappe. The 19-year-old with a stunner.

From outside the box he fires low and it bounces by Danijel Subasic. Only the second teen since Pele to score in a World Cup final. France 4 Croatia 1

CROATIA GOAL

Strange mistake by Lloris. Has the ball at his feet and tries to take on a fast charging Mario Mandzukic. Mandzukic takes the ball off him and taps in for a simple goal. What an error.

France 4 Croatia 2 - 20 minutes to play

What a final this has been

Ante Rebic off. On comes Andrej Kramarić

26 MINUTES LATER, FRANCE 4 CROATIA 2: France on the attack again. They have a throw in in line with the edge of the box but Croatia win the ball back. Can they get another? Would make for a fascinating final 15 minutes.

Ivan Rakitic fires wide. They are not done yet.

Off goes Giroud. He leaves the World Cup without a goal but likely as a champion. On comes Fekir.

Marko Pjaca on for Ivan Strinic

Eight minutes to go. Looking like a second World Cup title for France as time runs out on Croatia. They have a freekick from wide left.

But Ivan Rakitic sends it over the wall and straight at Lloris. Pogba goes down injured but he seems fine.

Ivan Rakitic fires a shot over the bar. Five minutes of injury time coming up as they enter the final minute.

Pogba misses a sitter to claim his second.

Time almost up.

FRANCE WIN

We await the medal presentation as French players run around the field. Croatia just standing waiting

Finally it seems the trophy is on the way

Fifa young player award goes to Kylian Mbappe

Golden ball goes to Luka Modric

Harry Kane takes out golden boot with six goals

Golden glove to Thibaut Courtois

The rain falls as Croatia get their second placed medals

The rain is really coming down now

French captain Hugo Lloris lifts the trophy!

And what do I think of the World Cup final? It was top notch (It was even better compared to 4 years ago between Germany & Argentina because this years World Cup final didn't have to go into extra time), because the French were able to redeem themselves 2 years after losing to Portugal in the Euros & they were back to its best by lifting the World Cup trophy themselves instead (And each of their 23 men have achieved their boyhood dream to say the least).

And what a great performance from their star talisman for France in the form of Antoine Griezmann (Maybe he is a huge fan of that popular video game Fortnite because of that celebration being dished out by him) of Atletico Madrid by getting his player of the game honours (He scored a penalty but he never looked like missing because France always win when Griezmann scores a goal) after his relatively good form that he carried because he is now officially a World Cup winning player along with 22 others.

And what about the young gun of Kylian Mbappe? What a tournament he is having for the Cristiano Ronaldo fanboy as he became only the 2nd teenage player to score at a World Cup final after Pele in 1958. Because he was having a good game when he scored that incredible goal as well as picking the best young player at the tournament (2006 it was Lukas Podolski of Germany followed by Podolski's fellow countryman Thomas Muller in 2010 & one of Mbappe's French teammates Paul Pogba (Who also had a great match by scoring a goal after he had an attempt to shoot but it was deflected by one of the Croatian players) in 2014).

And it has been 20 years since France (Which used to have players such as Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry (Who used to play for Arsenal, FC Barcelona & New York Red Bulls before becoming assistant coach for Belgium), Patrick Vieira (Now coaches Nice back home in France after playing with clubs such as Arsenal & Juventus), Didier Deschamps (Who is now joined the likes of Mario Zagallo & Franz Beckenbauer to have won the World Cup as both a player & coach), Emmanuel 'Manu' Petit & Lilian Thuram) last lifted the World Cup trophy but their road to World Cup glory began with a 2 - 1 win over Australia before dispatching Peru 1 goal to nil to clinch a place in the round of 16 then their only blemish at the World Cup for the French was a goal less draw against Denmark in their final group game before they took on Leo Messi's Argentina side in the round of 16 & won 4 - 3 (It was hailed as one of the greatest FIFA World Cup matches of all time by British online newspaper The Independent) by advancing to the quarterfinals in which they took on Uruguay minus Edinson Cavani but they were victorious in the end with 2 goals being scored by Real Madrid's Raphael Varane & Griezmann then it is semi final time as they scraped past the Belgians allowing FC Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti to capitalize in order to score in what would be the match winning goal that sent France through into the World Cup final in 12 years (They lost to Italy on penalties way back then after Zinedine Zidane got sent off for a headbutt on Italian defender Marco Materazzi in the match that will always be remembered) in which they faced Croatia with Mario Mandzukic scoring their 1st own goal of the World Cup final then Ivan Perisic equalized before things have gotten out of hand by the Croatians as they gave away a penalty (Perisic the goalscorer was the culprit this time) allowing Antoine Griezmann to capitalize by scoring off a penalty to take France back into the lead just before the break but 2 incredible all time goals during the 2nd half scored by Paul Pogba & the young Kylian Mbappe had tripled to their advantage but the French conceded a goal off an embarrassment from French captain Hugo Lloris who was attempting to pass but he gave the ball away to Mandzukic allowing the Croatian player to score but in the end, France have won the World Cup after 20 years of heartbreak & disappointment.

And then onto the post match presentation where Kylian Mbappe was best young player of the tournament followed by Croatia skipper Luka Modric being awarded best player of the tournament which is in fact the golden ball but golden boot for top scorer of the tournament goes to English captain Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur & finally the golden glove award for best goalkeeper went to Belgian goalie Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea (Formerly of Atletico Madrid) before Croatia receive the runners up medals followed by the victorious French side receiving their winners medals before FIFA President Gianni Infantino presents the World Cup trophy to French captain Hugo Lloris before lifting the trophy in the air in the wet to be officially declared themselves champions of the world.

And finally my last thoughts about the 2018 FIFA World Cup before I wrap this blog up? It was astonishing, an absolutely incredible way to sign off a tournament like that because that final was especially epic, it was way better than 2014 by the way (And my favourite World Cup moment was Korea Republic's 2 - 0 upset win over the defending & reigning champions Germany (Compared to Mexico knocking over Germany in the opening group match) which knocked the Germans out of the World Cup allowing the Mexicans to progress but I feel sorry for the Germans, I mean there is no one else to blame about Manuel Neuer moving out of his own penalty area allowing the South Koreans to capitalize in order to score the 2nd goal but the worst moment of the World Cup was Neymar's diving antics (Well, he needs to hurry up here about his simulations at the World Cup (He just kept on diving in games against Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia (In during the game in which he rolled on the floor after getting fouled by a Serbian player) & Belgium) but why is he faking an injury? Just like he rolled on the floor during their round of 16 clash against Mexico after Mexican defender Miguel Layun picked the ball up, although Harry Maguire did a Neymar against Colombia in the round of 16 then one of Neymar's PSG teammates Mbappe dived like Neymar against Uruguay, so too is Griezmann against Croatia in the World Cup final allowing themselves to win a free kick before Mario Mandzukic headed into his own net) but one of the funniest moments/bloopers of the tournament had to go to French captain Hugo Lloris's goalkeeping mishap in the final allowing Mandzukic to score the last goal of the 2018 FIFA World Cup (Reminiscent of the UEFA Champions league final where Real Madrid striker & former French international Karim Benzema kicked the ball out of Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius's hands) but the real winner is Borussia Dortmund player Michy Batshuayi of Belgium after his country had scored a vital goal against England in the last group game, Batshuayi kicked the ball into the post but it immediately backfired which ricocheted off the post, smashed into his face (And man it was like a pinball to start with), therefore copping a bit of a falcon, LOL.

P.S. And in Super Rugby news, the 14 man Chiefs held on to beat the Hurricanes but miss out on hosting a home quarterfinal in Hamilton then the Highlanders defeat the Rebels in an action packed close game in Dunedin then the Crusaders managed to get better of the Blues in Christchurch.

And finally here is the confirmed list for the quarterfinal games being played in the 2018 Super Rugby season (I really don't know what teams will face because I have decided to keep a low profile of watching the rugby until tonight):

Hurricanes Vs Chiefs
Crusaders Vs Sharks
Waratahs Vs Highlanders
& Lions Vs Jaguares

And the 2nd one is taken from Super Rugby quarterfinal news (My 1st post FIFA World Cup blog) + Whanganui club rugby final review, German soccer star's retirement & Rugby Sevens World Cup wrap up:

Well, the quarterfinals of the 2018 Super Rugby got started as the Hurricanes win by 1 against the Chiefs to go through to the semifinals of the competition in Wellington a night before the Crusaders beat the dangerous Sharks side by 40 points in an tough game in Christchurch while the Highlanders season ends in defeat against the spirited Waratahs side who had an incredible comeback in Sydney then the Lions had to roar past the Jaguares (Which fielded its test team) to advance through to their 3rd consecutive semifinal in Johannesburg.

And here is the confirmed list for the semifinal games being played in the 2018 Super Rugby season:

Crusaders Vs Hurricanes
& Lions Vs Waratahs

And it was on Saturday that we went to the Whanganui premier club rugby final between defending champions Ruapehu & Pirates so here's the news report coming straight out of New Zealand Herald:

If you want to understand why Saturday's Tasman Tanning Premier championship game had the second largest winning margin in WRFU finals history, the answer can be found at the after match.

Collecting the trophy following their 41-17 triumph, McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu brought their families and friends around them, after accepting a haka from several of their Ohakune brethren.

Meanwhile, after picking up their own prizes for the season, the members of Black Bull Liquor Pirates just drifted away in dribs and drabs, barely a handful of old school players following the custom of waiting for the victors to hoist the silverware.

It summed up the afternoon in a nutshell; the truely united team won on the day, and won well.

In a departure from the Cooks Gardens thrillers of the past four years, the defending champions Ruapehu showed big match composure and cohesion, playing with structure and supporting each other in key moments.

Meanwhile, Pirates just kept trying to bash their way through in one's and two's, playing into the hands of a country side who could match them for physicality, absorb that pressure and then probe their opposition's weak points on the turnaround.

Unlike seven days before against Waverley Harvesting Border, it was harder to point out dynamic performances.

The retiring veteran No8 Andrew Evans gave an inspiring effort for a deserved man of the match award, while sharp winger Shaquille Waara scored an extremely rare grand final hat trick.

Yet simply, every Ruapehu player did his job as well as covering for the man alongside him after their occasional mistake – it really was just an honest team effort.

Even when still injured centre Craig Clare departed following his sideline conversion of Ruapehu's opening try in the second half, while captain Roman Tutauha came off not long after with a suspected broken arm, there was no concern in the champion's camp, although representative coach Jason Caskey will be frowning.

It was everything Ruapehu coach Daisy Alabaster could have asked from his charges in a championship match, minus one rush of blood which led to Pirates scoring their first try right before halftime to keep a bare sniff at 24-10.

"It's the whole squad [performing]," Alabaster said.

"Forward pack, defence.

"We let them have [that try] before halftime.

"If we'd shut that, it would have been a whole different second half.

"We had to work on defence and wait for the mistake."

For Pirates, it was now obvious the departure of their leading Samoan players at the expiration of their work visas last month left gaps which could not be filled.

In addition, talented young first-five Desmond Tyrell was immediately backing up after just playing 75 minutes of St Johns Club Whanganui Metro's outstanding win over Massey White in the Manawatu Colts semifinals.

Although Tyrell had the stamina for another 80, it laid bare Pirates lack of a Plan B, as they also moved barnstorming midfielder Soonalote Tauialoto out to the unfamiliar position of wing, where two big errors led to Waara snatching back-to-back tries in the first quarter, with Ruapehu never looking back.

"Not enough accuracy," said Pirates coach Phillip Morris.

"Lots of individual stuff, but team moments we just got lost.

"You can't leak easy points to these guys.

"I'm pleased the boys were in the final.

"It's no excuse for the four guys that aren't here, but it may have made a difference."

Morris singled out double tryscoring centre Vaovasa Afasua, who really stepped up in the third quarter as Pirates tried to drag themselves back into the match, while midfield partner Meki Magele made "a hundred tackles".

Taking first use of the wind, Ruapehu invited Pirates to try and bash their way out of their own half, with prop Gabriel Hakaraia looking to leave a mark on defence while Tutauha brought down the Pirate King Lasa Ulukuta after he had shrugged out of several tackles.

Overeagerness at the breakdown saw Ruapehu give up a couple of penalties, with Pirates fullback Junior Ainea missing his first long range attempt but getting the second to open accounts after seven minutes.

Ruapehu regained the kickoff and worked their way forward, before a grubber kick towards Tauialoto's sideline was accidentally fumbled backwards off the knee of the big man and the chasers swooped - getting the turnover on the tryline with Waara going over with the pass off the ruck.

Clare nailed a low sideline conversion, and after Evans made a good run from the kickoff, Ruapehu chipped ahead to the same wing and Waara flew up on Tauialoto to get a charge down and win the race to the ball for a massive momentum swing at 12-3 after 12 minutes.

Unable to get a line break, Pirates could only attempt another long range penalty through Ainea, which was away, with Ruapehu happy to make tackles and then clear the ball up centre field.

The pressure was building as one Tyrell free kick clearance went out very shallow and then Magele lost the ball on the hitup from the lineout.

Ruapehu worked forward as the pack drove over the tryline, but after being held up they simply reset from the scrum win and had another go, with prop Te Uhi Hakaraia burrowing his way under the posts in the 34th minute.

Pirates were falling apart as one of the front rowers tried a wild cut out pass in their own 22m that missed winger Elijah Ah Chong as Clare, despite his limp, was able to run through and score, leaving defenders on their knees in anguish.

However, they got a glimpse of hope just before the break when Clare looked to spread from another clearance, and fullback George Williams had his kick charged, with Afasua showing great control to get the bounce on the dive and score.

Ruapehu got those seven points back after the break as flanker Jamie Hughes ran from a midfield turnover and put down an excellent grubber kick, with Waara blitzing through to score in the corner.

Pirates lifted to their final stand, as following Tutauha coming off they slowly worked their way down field with one-off bursts- Afasua and Ulukuta leading the way with runs and offloads.

Getting a penalty 5m out, Afasua took a quick tap and ducked his way through, diving over the last defender for a gutsy try with 20 minutes left.

But again Hughes responded, as from a ruck on the 40m he fended his way through tired tacklers, transferring the ball to each hand, and fed Waara, who this time turned the ball back inside for flanker Jack Kinder to sprint away for the try of the match.

Pirates had no more shots left to fire, as Ruapehu emptied their bench and slowly ground their way back down to the tryline, to see first-five Josh Fifita repeat his semifinal effort by taking the pass off the ruck and sprinting low for the try to wrap up the season with only a few minutes left.

Ruapehu 41 (Shaquille Waara 3, Te Uhi Hakaraia, Craig Clare, Jack Kinder, Josh Fifita tries; Clare 3 con) beat Pirates 17 (Vaovasa Afasua 2 tries; Desmond Tyrell 2 con, Junior Ainea pen). HT: 24-10.

And finally in the soccer news department (Although this is going to be my 1st blog after the 2018 FIFA World Cup), Arsenal midfield player Mesut Ozil calls it quits (Along with Australia's Tim Cahill, Croatia's Mario Mandzukic & Danijel Subasic, Mexico's Rafael Marquez, Russia's Sergei Ignashevich & Spain's Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique & David Silva have moved on after the 2018 FIFA World Cup) after announcing his retirement from international soccer for Germany (Who had a disappointing World Cup with just the single win against Sweden (Real Madrid player Toni Kroos scored the match winning goal at the death) & both defeats against Mexico (Hirving Lozano scored an all important goal in which they won) & Korea Republic (Including Manuel Neuer moving out of the penalty area allowing the South Koreans to capitalize) in convincing fashion) at the tender age of 29 over claims of racism about the Turkish president.

P.S. And both the Black Ferns & All Blacks sevens teams (Well that's the 1st time that the All Blacks sevens gone back to back as well as winning it 3 times (They 1st did it way back in 2001 in Mar Del Plata, Argentina then in 2013 in Moscow, Russia & now this year in 2018) have won both the women's & men's rugby sevens World Cup titles in San Francisco, California (Well, Pops has been following it on TV, so too is Carole Webb who is due to move here in 2 days from Albany to right here in Whanganui).

And finally the 3rd & final one is taken from 2018 Super Rugby final review (My 1st blog of August 2018):

Well, the Crusaders have done it, beating the Lions to successfully defend the Super Rugby title in 2018 at AMI Stadium in Christchurch so here is the match commentary taken from Newshub:

Kia ora and welcome to AMI Stadium as the Crusaders play the Lions in the 2018 Super Rugby final.

Commentary will start at 7.20pm.

Lineups

Crusaders

15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.

Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor.

Lions

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronjé, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen.

Replacements: 16 Corné Fourie, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 23 Howard Mnisi.

Match officials

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant Referees: Glen Jackson, Nic Berry

TMO: Shane McDermott

Previous results

01 Apr 2018 Crusaders v Lions 14-8 Johannesburg

05 Aug 2017 Final Crusaders v Lions 25-17 Johannesburg

23 Jul 2016 Crusaders v Lions 25-42 Johannesburg

01 Apr 2016 Crusaders v Lions 43-37 Johannesburg

14 Mar 2015 Crusaders v Lions 34-6 Christchurch

05 Apr 2014 Crusaders v Lions 28-7 Johannesburg

7:20pm: Well, we're finally here. The 2018 Super Rugby season comes to a close as the Crusaders look to win back-to-back titles with victory over the Lions tonight.

7:22pm: Few giving the Lions chance, but even as a Crusaders fan, you'd surely want a game of it? If the visitors are to get up and cause the upset, it'll no doubt be from the work of Malcolm Marx, the world's best hooker.

7:25pm: Here's also hoping there's little negative stuff to talk about tomorrow and we don't have any cards, or contentious decisions from the officials.

7:30pm: Sold out crowd at AMI Stadium so plenty interest from the locals. Players from both teams cuddling for the last time in the sheds before making their way out.

7:32pm: Weather's absolutely perfect. Whitelock leads the Crusaders out onto the field. Just moments away from kick-off.

1ST MINUTE: We're underway and it's Jantjies who kicks-off for Barrett to take in. Hall fires it to Mo'unga, he hooks his kick and finds touch just outside the 22m.

3RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Jantjies tries the cross-field kick, Marx can't hang on and Crotty kicks through for the Lions hooker to dive onto. Barrett makes a good tackle but holds on too long and is penalised.

5TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Lions going backwards, Combrinck cleans up, rights across field and he goes clean through! He beats Mo'unga and is tackled just a metre out. Lions putting it through the phases but the Crusaders defence are up to it. Lions knock on at the ruck.

7TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Both packs struggling to settle for the first scrum of the game and the Lions concede the free-kick. Mo'unga clears up to the Crusaders 10m for a Lions lineout.

9TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Lions playing with plenty of intent, taking the direct approach. Vorster spots space behind the Crusaders defence and Bridge fumbles it into touch for a Lions lineout just 5m out.

11TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Moody made contact with Orie too early at the lineout jump but escapes being penalised and instead the Lions concede the turnover for a Crusaders scrum. Great maul defence from the defending champs.

13TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Hall's kick doesn't find too much distance and the Lions have it once again just outside the Crusaders 22m. Barrett concedes another penalty at the breakdown and Jantjies slots the kick at goal to give the Lions the lead.

15TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Read gets up to win the lineout for the Crusaders and Tamanivalu makes a strong charge up the middle. Vorster attacks the ball at the ruck and concedes the penalty. Looked to have rights to it. Mo'unga kicks the penalty and we're all tied up.

17TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Mo'unga clears down field and Coetzee shows to kick before slipping. Lions still in possession, but Coetzee is penalised for sealing off at the breakdown

19TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Tamanivalu takes it up the middle once again from the lineout win. They go wide through Bridge, he tries stepping in field and putting his head down for the try line but he's tackled into touch.

21ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), CRUSADERS TRY - TAMANIVALU: Bedwell-Curtis is put through half a gap and almost goes through. Crusaders fire it wide to Tamanivalu, he bumps off Combrink, rides the tackle of Mostert and dots down for the game's opening try.

23RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Lions looking to attack direct but the Crusaders do well to hold up Vorster and force the maul and then the turnover.

25TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Moody goes down twice and is rightly penalised at the scrum. Combrinck finds touch just five metres out from the try line.

26TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Orie gets up to win the lineout and again the Crusaders send their driving maul backwards before conceding the penalty. Jantjies puts it into the corner for another lineout. Lions struggling to get a maul going.

28TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Mostert wins the lineout this time and again make no progress at all with the drive. Dreyer loses the ball forward in contact. So much territory, little to show.

30TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Crusaders manage to get the ball back from the scrum before Mo'unga sends it down field for Coetzee to counter. Janties tries the kick over the top but is marked easily by Mo'unga. Jantjies makes the mistake, takes it back and dots down for a Crusaders scrum 5m out.

32ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Lions piling the pressure on at the scrum but it's the visitors who are penalised for "not holding" their weight. Mo'unga slots the easy shot at goal to extend the Crusaders' lead.

35TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), CRUSADERS TRY - HAVILI: Barrett takes in the Lions' restart and Hall kicks from the base. Jantjies' kick is taken easily by Mo'unga on the run and he's through! He links up with Goodhue and Mapoe makes a great tackle to keep him out. Numbers out wide and Havili's in for the try! Jantjies is just horrific.

37TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Moody is penalised for a neck-roll on Marx and the Lions will have a lineout just 10m out from the try line. They absolutely need to score here.

39TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Lions looking to attack up the middle through their forwards and they have the advantage. They're not making any progress so we'll come back. Todd was offside and Jantjies slots the easy penalty.

40TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Skosan shows good feet and bursts into a hole! He steps another but his pass is intercepted and the Crudaders clear down field. Combrick fires a long pass straight into touch. Halftime.

HALFTIME: CRUSADERS 20 - 6 LIONS

41ST MINUTE: We're back underway and it's Mo'unga who kicks-off for Skosan to run it back. Jantjies clears and finds touch on halfway but Havili takes it quickly.

43RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Crusaders putting it through the phases, taking it into contact up the middle. Brink is penalised for not rolling away and Mo'unga will have a shot at goal. He lines it up and sends it home to extend the lead.

45TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Jantjies goes long with the restart and Havili takes it in. Read charges up the middle before Mo'unga kicks only as far as the 10m for the Lions to attack.

47TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Lions now putting it through a number of phases, slowly working their way upto the Crusaders 22m and Smith almost goes through but we'll come back for a penalty. Franks was offside.

49TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Lions not learning from previous failings and again their maul is driven backwards. They still have it as Marx makes a strong charge up the middle. Jantjies has a crack, reaches out for the line but he's JUST short. We'll come back for another offside penalty.

50TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Lions' scrum send the Crusaders pack marching backwards but concede the penalty for popping up. Little going the way of the visitors.

52ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Lions struggling to find gaps in the Crusaders defence but the hosts concede another penalty and Jantjies finds touch inside the 10m. Another maul then?

54TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), LIONS TRY - BRINK: Brink gets the ball, bumps off Todd, fends off Bedwell-Curtis and races away 20 odd metres to score the Lions' first try. Great piece of individual brilliance. Is there life for the Lions?

56TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Combrinck puts up the bomb and the Crusaders knock on for the Lions to attack through Dyantyi. Whiteley throws a loss pass and it goes into touch and the Crusaders again take it quickly.

58TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Cronje's in a bit of space from the scrum, finds Combrick and he's tackled nicely on right wing. Jantjies tries the cross-field kick and Tamanivalu knocks on before conceding the penalty for holding on.

60TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The Lions are just 10 points behind and opt for the shot at goal. Interesting, but you have to think the Crusaders will be happy with them doing so. It's a tough kick for Combrinck and he hooks it left.

62ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), CRUSADERS TRY - DRUMMOND: Mo'unga shows nice feet and almost goes through. Crusaders putting it through the phases, taking it up the middle through their forwards. Mo'unga again almost goes through, Todd hits the line, offloads to Taylor and puts Drummond in under the sticks for the try.

64TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Havili takes in Jantjies' kick-off and gives it to Samu to run it back. Crusaders try and go quickly, but Goodhue knocks on for the Lions to now counter. Mapoe frees up Combrinck and he almost goes over in the corner.

66TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Lions doing well to keep possession but the Crusaders defence up to the challenge before they concede the penalty for a dangerous tackle.

68TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), LIONS TRY - MARX: Lions claim the lineout ball and the Crusaders again defend the maul well before Crotty's shown the yellow card for coming in at the side of the tackle. Lions win the lineout and try the drive, Marx breaks away. Marx gets it again and bashes his way over the try line.

70TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), CRUSADERS TRY - BARRETT: Dyantyi shows good feet again before the Lions kick upfield for Read to charge it back. Bridge goes cleans through! He links up with Drummond, he fires it to Samu and he's tackled just a couple of metres out. They go quickly to Barrett and he bashes his way over for the try!

72ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Read spins out of one tackle before finally being tackled. Crusaders go left to Samu and there's a bit of space for him. Crusaders turn it over but the Lions knock on.

75TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Crusaders quite happy to keep ball in hand and play their way out of trouble. Whitelock makes a strong carry as the phase count approaches 13 but concede the penalty for holding on.

77TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Read makes a good tackle as the Lions look to make their way into the Crusaders 22m. They go right but are penalised for obstruction.

80TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Crusaders looking to close out the game, putting it through a number of phases but they finally concede the penalty for holding on too long. Mostert wins the lineout for the Lions but this time they breakaway from the drive.
Lions struggling to breach the defence as they approach 17 phases now. Todd concedes the penalty and we'll go again. We'll have a lineout. Ball is ripped away and kicked into touch! Fulltime! Crusaders win again!

FULLTIME: CRUSADERS 37 - 18 LIONS

So that is my 258th blog of the year 2018 (MMXVIII) & my 78th this year (And it is only 7 days to go until Christmas (AKA The real thing) which is happening next week).