The year in review (Part 3)

Well, this is part 2 of my year in review so here's another of those best blogs with the most views of the month from the May - June period beginning with Rules Of The Game Of Thrones 2018 edition (+ Super Rugby round 11 review):

Well, it's been 6 years since I 1st started blogging (I did about 196 blogs but now I'm doing my 197th) so we will keep you informed but it is round 11 of Super Rugby as the Hurricanes (Who impacted by the return from injury of side stepping winger Nehe Milner-Skudder (He had a dodgy game because he got taken out from a Sunwolves player after he kicked the ball in the lead up to the Sunwolves try) thrash the Sunwolves in Wellington (There had so many calls from the TMO with Hurricanes player Vince Aso who got a double but the TMO disallowed both tries being scored by Aso, one was a clear & obvious forward pass by Julian Savea & the other was a illegal neck roll made by Julian's brother Ardie on a Sunwolves player) then the Crusaders defeat the Brumbies in Canberra (Well, in his second game back from injury, there was an unfortunate moment for Crusaders winger Israel Dagg as his opposition player Chance Peni copped a high tackle (It was a double whammy for Dagg as he had to go off for an HIA as well as injuring his knee at the same time meaning that he is out for a couple of weeks ruling out a return to the All Blacks) but was lucky not to be sent off (Just like Conrad van Vuuren) as South African referee Jaco Peyper yellow carded Peni (Well, Peni had to front up the judiciary but he has been suspended for 5 weeks revealing that rugby has gone soft (They just killed the game because of the illegal high tackles so far (Well, rugby is a pathetic game according to English back rower James Haskell) then the Crusaders were reduced to 14 men (1st there was Crusaders second rower Scott Barrett) then 13 (Well, it's like a rugby league team so far as second five-eighth Ryan Crotty goes to the bin for 10 minutes) but the Crusaders managed to hold on to the end) then a match winning penalty goal from London Wasps bound first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga has helped the Highlanders claim a win against the Bulls in Pretoria.

So Pops left on Monday (Although he had to go to Auckland & stayed at Carole Irene Webb's place in order to go to a high school reunion in Waiheke Island but Pops rang me last night that he is at his sister Kathryn's place) meaning that he's coming back here today (I'm having half of the noodle canteen for dinner) & I had a few meals such as cereal & fruit & toast for breakfast, roast pork for lunch & a combination of butter chicken & lamb massaman for dinner while yesterday was the leftover frittata with bacon for breakfast (I didn't take Buck for a walk because it was way too wet out there but I'm always having fun with him all the time but Dad came on Monday night & yesterday afternoon to check up on me), single snack chicken & mushroom for lunch with the leftover tuna, tomato & onion & dinner was again a combination of beef lasagne & home style cottage pie & for breakfast today was cereal & toast (Before I took Buck for a morning walk then watched Star Wars (I enjoyed the movie despite the Blu-ray getting scratched (Well, I tried to fix it yesterday but it didn't work so Pops took me to the Warehouse to get a replacement by showing the lady who works there a receipt but the lady told me not to put toothpaste on a Blu ray disc because using the toothpaste may ruin & damage it although the toothpaste is a bit like sandpaper) ruining both scenes) before having lunch) & lunch was chunky Irish stew but I didn't have the bread because the bread was going off (It went mouldy as I discovered it) & so here I am, doing my 1st blog of the month in May.

And finally, the 2nd one is taken from All Blacks Vs France 3rd test review, international rugby news (Part 3) & 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia report (Part 3):

Well, the All Blacks have thrashed the French in the 3rd & final test at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin despite some poor officiating so here's the live commentary:

Kia ora and welcome to the 3rd & final test between the All Blacks and France at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

Four players will make their test debut for New Zealand, with centre Jack Goodhue and Shannon Frizell named in the run on side and Richie Mo'unga and Jackson Hemopo on the bench.

French captain Mathieu Bastareaud is a surprise omission from their team, with halfback Morgan Parra given the armband instead.

We bring you live streaming written commentary, & all the action.

Commentary will start around 7:20pm.

Lineups

All Blacks
15 Ben Smith, 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Aaron Smith; 1 Joe Moody, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Sam Whitelock (c), 5 Scott Barrett, 6 Shannon Frizell, 7 Ardie Savea, 8 Luke Whitelock.

Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Jackson Hemopo, 20 Matt Todd, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Richie Mo'unga, 23 Jordie Barrett.

France
15 Benjamin Fall, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Remi Lamerat, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Gael Fickou, 10 Anthony Bellau, 9 Morgan Parra (c); 1 Dany Priso, 2 Camille Chat, 3 Uini Atonio, 4 Bernard Le Roux, 5 Yoann Maestri, 6 Mathieu Babillot, 7 Kelian Galletier, 8 Kevin Gourdon.

Replacements: 16 Adrien Pelissie, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Cedate Gomes Sa, 19 Felix Lambey, 20 Alexandre Lapandry, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Jules Plisson, 23 Maxime Medard.

Match officials
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Graham Cooper (Australia)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)

Previous results
2018: New Zealand won 26-13 in Wellington
2018: New Zealand won 52-11 in Auckland
2017: New Zealand won 38-18 in Paris
2016: New Zealand won 24-19 in Paris
2015: New Zealand won 62-13 (World Cup quarter-final) in Cardiff

7:20pm: So, we're finally here. Here's hoping this test isn't marred by controversary and we can just have a good game rugby.

7:24pm: Really happy to see Naholo back in the black jersey and looking forward to seeing the new caps in full flight.

7:27pm: French players making their way out now. Should be interesting to see how Fofana does in the place of his captain.

7:29pm: Whitelock leads out the All Blacks. Just over five minutes now until kick-off. But first, the anthems, followed by the haka.

7:33pm: Perenara leading the haka as always. Whitelock front and centre.

1ST MINUTE: Belleau gets us underway and it's Whitelock who goes up high to take it. Barrett's pass is a poor one, hits the deck and McKenzie cleans up before clearing.

2 MINUTES LATER: Barrett playing like a man possessed early on, making three crunching tackles. France doing well to keep possession, putting it through the phases but the ball's turned over and McKenzie clears.

2 MINUTES LATER: McKenzie's pass is intercepted by Parra and Galletier is away! He's finally tackled on the 22m but France still have it. Babillot in a bit of space and they're just 10 metres out now.

2 MINUTES LATER: Belleau has a dart and he's tackled just short of the try line. France looking to bash their way over but a poor pass forces them back 20 metres. Up to 20 phases now but ABs defence holding firm. They try the grubber but it can only roll into touch.

1 MINUTE LATER: Thomas somehow keeps it in, spots space behind the defence, puts the chip kick through and ALMOST gets the bounce by Aaron Smith cleans up before McKenzie clears.

2 MINUTES LATER: McKenzie boots a HUGE kick through from the ABs scrum but it rolls dead. Looked as if it was just going to hold up but instead the French will have a scrum on the NZ 22m.

2 MINUTES LATER, FRANCE TRY - SERIN: A strong second shove from the ABs almost forces the turnover but it comes back the French's way. Fofana almost dummies his way through. Galletier gets a nice pass and he's just short of the try line. Serin acts to pass but dives over for the try! French strike first.

2 MINUTES LATER: Thomas takes in McKenzie's restart but Barrett's there to meet him and he drives him over the sideline. He's just been an absolute monster so far.

2 MINUTES LATER, ALL BLACKS TRY - BEN SMITH: Chat has a crack over the ball but there's no clear release and is penalised for a ABs lineout just 10 metres out. Ioane puts the foot down and ALMOST goes through. They switch direction, SBW sees Ben Smith on his outside and puts him through the hole for the try. Todd has replaced the injured Savea.

2 MINUTES LATER: Chat beats the tackle of Franks before putting Maestri in half a hole. They lose it moments away and McKenzie counters! He almost goes through but le Roux holds on. They go right for Naholo and he takes it up over halfway but Whitelock's penalised for holding on.

2 MINUTES LATER: France win a scrappy lineout as Serin cleans up. Belleau tries the bomb and Ben Smith drops it backwards for Naholo to clean up. SBW's in space, shows the ball but is hit hard. McKenzie opts to kick before Belleau returns it up over the 22m.

2 MINUTES LATER: McKenzie shows the ball and ALMOST goes through. ABs putting the French under serious pressure and they win the penalty on the tourists' 22m. Hemopo has replaced the bloody Frizell.

2 MINUTES LATER, ALL BLACKS TRY - TODD: All Blacks win the lineout through Hemopo just five metres out and they drive! They're advancing easily and they crash over and it's Todd who dots down for the try.

2 MINUTES LATER: Whitelock gets up to win the restart and they drive. Smith clears before Belleau puts the bomb up and he comes down with it! They try the left touchline and Smith knocks on in the tackle.

2 MINUTES LATER, FRANCE TRY - FOFANA: Gourdon takes the quick tap from the free-kick and France are just five metres out. Chat again bumps off Franks but ABs defence holding firm. Belleau goes to Fofana, he steps out of one tackle, fends another and he's over for the try!

2 MINUTES LATER: Ben Smith gets up to win McKenzie's restart. ABs hot on attack as McKenzie finds a charging Hemopo. The ball's unplayable at the ruck and NZ will have the scrum.

2 MINUTES LATER, ALL BLACKS TRY - MCKENZIE: Wait, we're going upstairs. And it's given! Smith flew from the scrum, found a surging McKenzie and he goes in under the sticks for the try. Only problem is Serin was impeded be the ref and couldn't make the tackle. Controversy strikes again.

2 MINUTES LATER: France look to counter down the right sideline and the bounce of the ball almost goes in their favour but there was a knock on in the play. France still look dangerous, but it's got to be tough when it's always going against you.

2 MINUTES LATER: France get up to win their own lineout before Babillot has a crack. Serin decides to kick and Ioane gathers it in before stepping one and another.

2 MINUTES LATER: Fickou cuts through two ABs tacklers and he's away! He has no support and is tackled just outside the 22m. Fickou tries the grubber and Ben Smith's forced to take it back for a French scrum.

2 MINUTES LATER: France put the shove in and the ball's come back their way. They're keeping it tight, trying through their forwards but Taylor gets up over the ball-carrier and wins the penalty.
It's a poor throw and the French have it! Fickou tries the kick through but McKenzie cleans up before Naholo takes the tackle. They kick it into touch and that's halftime.

HALFTIME: ALL BLACKS 21 - 14 FRANCE

41ST MINUTE: McKenzie tries the short kick but it's too short and the French will have the scrum on halfway. Hansen's not too happy at all. ABs are penalised at the breakdown and France have the lineout just five out.

2 MINUTES LATER: Maestri gets up to win it and France try the drive but oh my, what maul defence from the ABs as they push them back 10 metres. Eventually it's taken down and NZ force the turnover.

2 MINUTES LATER: Smith fires it to SBW and finds Goodhue with a trademark offload but he can't link up with McKenzie before the first-five cleans up and clears. France look to counter down the left wing but they simply just run out of room.

2 MINUTES LATER, ALL BLACKS TRY - MCKENZIE: ABs drive and le Roux is penalised for collapsing the maul. Naholo has a charge off the back of the lineout win. Smith does brilliantly to put Ioane in space but he's well looked after. McKenzie wraps around Whitelock, gets the pass, puts the foot down and races in to score.

2 MINUTES LATER: McKenzie tries the chip through, Barrett gets the bounce and the ABs are hot on attack once more. McKenzie tries to fire it wide and it's ALMOST intercepted by Lamerat but he can't hang on.

2 MINUTES LATER: Moody is penalised at the scrum and Belleau finds touch around the 22m for the lineout. The ABs loosehead has a tough time of it all series.

1 MINUTE LATER: ABs get up to win the steal the lineout and SBW offloads to Todd but he loosie's pass is intercepted before the French give it right back. France are penalised for being offside.

2 MINUTES LATER, ALL BLACKS TRY - IOANE: SBW overlooks a surging Goodhue and finds McKenzie who shows great hands and awareness to put Ioane through a gaping hole on the inside and the winger races in 30 metres to the score the try. New Zealand running riot now.

2 MINUTES LATER: Fickou is well looked after by Naholo in the tackle as France struggle to find holes in the ABs defence. SBW's makes a hard tackle and he's stayed down! He's been attended to for a shoulder injury. Jordie Barrett replaces him.

2 MINUTES LATER, ALL BLACKS TRY - IOANE: ABs are in space down the right wing but Ben Smith is penalised at the breakdown and France take the tap only for the ABs to rip it straight back. Ben Smith gets the quick pass and he draws one in before putting Ioane in open space for the try.

2 MINUTES LATER: Luke Whitelock gets up to win the restart and he makes good metres on the return. McKenzie finds Naholo on the left wing with an incredible pass, he bumps off one and just like that the ABs are only 10 metres out. Naholo bumps another but his pass in field is knocked back the tourists' way.

2 MINUTES LATER: Barrett does brilliantly to steal the ball and the ABs are hot on attack once again. Taylor goes up the middle and they're just five out. Frizell has a crack and takes a few with him over the try line for a score on his test debut. Oh no, they've asked the TMO and he reckons he was held up. No try.

2 MINUTES LATER, ALL BLACKS TRY - IOANE: Serin puts Whitelock under pressure at the back of the scrum but the ABs still have it. McKenzie has a number of players outside him, skips one to find Ioane and the winger goes inbetween two tacklers to score his third try of the night!

2 MINUTES LATER: Sam Whitelock takes in the restart and France are awarded the penalty for not releasing. With their lineout in turmoil, they've asked for the scrum.

2 MINUTES LATER: Nevermind, France's set-piece is just terrible all round as their front row collapses and they concede the penalty. ABs will have the lineout around halfway.

2 MINUTES LATER: France this time win their lineout ball and begin to maul just five metres out. They're not going anywhere and concede the penalty for obstructing.

2 MINUTES LATER: Goodhue finds Naholo on the left wing but he's well tackled. ABs putting it through the hands quickly and they're up over the 22m. Barrett's grubber is charged and the ABs concede the penalty.

2 MINUTES LATER: Barrett rips the ball away once again and the ABs have numbers to burn on the left! Goodhue has a crack but they eventually lose it after Hemopo knocked on.

2 MINUTES LATER: France win another penalty. That's five in five minutes. France will have the lineout just five metres out. They get up to win it but ABs turn it over. Ioane spots space, tries the step but loses it in contact.

2 MINUTES LATER: Naholo is in space again down the left wing and fires it back in field as he approaches the touchline but his pass it tapped back France's way. Lambey gets it and he's in space! They switch left and Fickou takes it up just five metres out but they lose moments later!

2 MINUTES LATER: One final scrum for the ABs and Perenara decides they want to play as they fire it left to Naholo who has to clean up a poor pass along the ground. They're right on their own try line. Naholo decides he's had enough and kicks it into touch.

FULLTIME: ALL BLACKS 49 - 14 FRANCE

And Ireland (Who are ranked number 2 in the world) have won the decider against the Wallabies at Allianz Stadium in Sydney by retaining the Lansdowne Cup to claim their 1st series victory over Australia since 1979 then England deny South Africa a clean sweep in Cape Town to claim their 1st victory in South Africa since 2000 before Scotland thrashed Argentina in Resistencia after bouncing back from a loss against the United States last week.

And in FIFA World Cup news, Brazil have eased past Keylor Navas's Costa Rica 2 goals to 0 (With goals scored by both Philippe Coutinho & their star player Neymar) in St Petersburg while Switzerland came from a goal down to win against Serbia in Kaliningrad then Hernandez & Vela's Mexico clinch a spot in the round of 16 against Son Heung-min's Korea Republic with a 2 - 1 victory while Manuel Neuer's Germany kept their title defence alive by beating Emil Forsberg's Sweden 2 - 1 after coming from behind in Sochi before De Bruyne & Hazard's Belgium thrash Wahbi Khazri's Tunisia 5 goals to 2 in Moscow to book a place in the round of 16 then a Harry Kane hat trick helped England demolish tournament debutants Panama (Featuring the likes of Godoy & Torres) 6 - 1 to clinch a spot in the round of 16 in Nizhny Novgorod while Shinji Kagawa's Japan drew with Koulibaly & Mane's Senegal 2 - 2 at Yekaterinburg then James Rodriguez's Colombia defeat his Bayern Munich teammate Robert Lewandowski's Poland 3 - 0 in Kazan while Luis Suarez's Uruguay trashed hosts Russia (Featuring the likes of Fedor Smolov) 3 - 0 to top Group A in Samara before Saudi Arabia claim a win against Mohamed Salah's Egypt 2 - 1 in Volgograd then Sardar Azmoun's Iran drew with Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal 1 - 1 in Saransk allowing David de Gea's Spain to top Group B for the highest number of goals after their draw against Mehdi Benatia's Morocco 2 - 2 in Kaliningrad while Antoine Griezmann's France drew with Christian Eriksen's Denmark at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow to top Group C before Peru ended their World Cup campaign against Australia in Sochi then the Lionel Messi led Argentina had to survive by advancing through to the knockout stages by beating Victor Moses's Nigeria 2 - 1 in St Petersburg & of course, Croatia had a win against Iceland by topping group D in Rostov-On-Don.

And finally here is the confirmed list for the round of 16 games being played:

Uruguay Vs Portugal
France Vs Argentina
Spain Vs Russia
Croatia Vs Denmark
Brazil Vs Mexico
Belgium Vs Japan
Sweden Vs Switzerland
& Colombia Vs England

P.S. THERE IS SOME SPOILER ALERT PEOPLE, NOW PAY ATTENTION!!! And there is more FIFA World Cup news as Sweden top Group F with a comfortable 3 - 0 win against Mexico in an epic game in Yekaterinburg while Korea Republic has knocked defending champions Germany out of the World Cup with a 2 - 0 upset victory (That's the 3rd consecutive/straight World Cup that the reigning champion had to crash out of the tournament but the main reason that Germany got knocked out in the tournament early was not picking Manchester City (Champions of England compared to Paris St Germain (Champions of France), Bayern Munich (Champions of Germany), Juventus (Champions of Italy) & FC Barcelona (Champions of Spain) player Leroy Sane because he would even make an impact) in Kazan then Neymar's Brazil top Group E with a comprehensive 2 - 0 win over Serbia at Spartak Stadium in Moscow while Switzerland advanced to the round of 16 after a 2 - 2 draw against Costa Rica in Nizhny Novgorod while Japan march on despite losing to Poland to advance through to the knockout stages for the least amount of yellow cards in Volgograd allowing Colombia to pounce Senegal to top Group H in Samara while Belgium ran out winners against England (Although both sides had to rest their front line players such as De Bruyne & Hazard for Belgium (Both survivors from the previous game against Tunisia such as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois & defender Dedryck Boyata were required for their clash against England) & captain Harry Kane for England for their round of 16 clash) 1 - 0 to top Group G in Kaliningrad & last but not least, Tunisia snatch a comeback win (Just like both Switzerland & Germany did against Serbia & Sweden respectively) denying Panama's hopes of their 1st win in their tournament debut in Saransk.

So that is my 257th blog of the year 2018 (MMXVIII) & my 77th this year (And it is only 9 days to go until Christmas).