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).
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