Well, Rugby World Cup fever returns after 4 long years as the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan is now officially underway as hosts Japan got off to a great start in Pool A to begin their campaign with a win against Russia (Who hasn't been competing at a Rugby World Cup since 2011) at Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo then a day later in Pool D, Fiji were on the verge of winning against Australia but the Aussies came back strong at Sapporo Dome in Sapporo in the end (Although Australia had suspended Reece Hodge for 3 games for a high tackle on Fijian Peceli Yato (Who had to come off the field for what looks like to be an HIA) which went unnoticed (He didn't get yellow or red carded by the referee but got cited) then in Pool C (AKA the pool of death/the pool of intrigue) France finally beat Argentina after 20 long years (They beat them in a quarterfinal before the Argentinians managed to beat the French twice in 2007) at a Rugby World Cup with a match winning drop goal by Camille Lopez at Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo (Well, Argentina tried to win the game with a penalty goal attempt but it went wide & there was French back rower Louis Picamoles who intercepted the ball in an offside position (Although the referee didn't play advantage to Argentina when Picamoles was offside) then in Pool B the All Blacks got off to a perfect start at Rugby World Cup 2019, continuing their dominance against the Springboks at International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama to stay unbeaten in pool play so here is the match commentary provided by Newshub:
Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's coverage of the Rugby World Cup match between the All Blacks and South Africa from International Stadium Yokohama.
9:37 PM: Both sides are about to enter the stadium to what should be a massive cheer.
9:40 PM: Anthems now, New Zealand first.
9:43 PM: Both anthems are over, it's time for the Haka!
9:45 PM: Kapa o Pango is over and now we are moments away.
1ST MINUTE: Kick off here in Japan, game time, Barrett gets the match underway.
PENALTY GOAL: Early penalty goes against the All Blacks, Kitshoff earns the penalty for South Africa, Pollard points to the posts. It's good. All Blacks 0 - 3 South Africa
3RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Reece runs hard in his first of the night, tackled well by de Klerk - NZ earn a penalty at the ruck.
4TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Kolbe takes a great take with ALB chasing the high ball, he clears.
5TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Knock on at lineout time from Reece.
6TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): First scrum of the match and South Africa put in a little chip kick which Barrett gathers then runs out.
8TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Big defence from the All Blacks before South Africa find some space in behind.
9TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Knock on from South Africa and the All Blacks have their first scrum feed.
10TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Charge down from Smith's kick then Scott Barrett does really well to earn New Zealand a penalty.
12TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The All Blacks look a little flustered here, South Africa slowing the ball down and hitting tackles hard.
14TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The All Blacks are going backwards with ball in hand and now have to clear it.
17TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): The South African big men are getting whatever they want on defence and now with ball in hand.
18TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY MISS: Penalty won by South Africa, they go for the points again, this one is off the post! Back in the hands of South Africa.
21ST MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: The All Blacks get a break and it's Mo'unga who is carrying the ball but NZ wins a penalty becuase of a slow play the ball from South Africa, ref going upstairs now.
22ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: WOW! The ref can't see anything wrong and only calls it a penalty, Read says "that's pretty gutless" given they were only five metres out. Mo'unga nails the penalty. All Blacks 3 - 3 South Africa
24TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY NEW ZEALAND & CONVERSION: Another break from the All Blacks and they score! Sevu Reece makes the initial break and he finds Smith on the inside who gives it to Savea, George Bridge ends the move that involved loads of backs. Kick is good. All Blacks 10 - 3 South Africa.
26TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Mo'unga kicks to Reece once again, they are looking for that loads.
27TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY NEW ZEALAND & CONVERSION: Anton Lienert-Brown shows his worth, wow, he makes the break and finds Scott Barrett who cruises in for a try. Kick is good. All Blacks 17-3 South Africa.
30TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Mo'unga is taken into touch and finally there is a break, pretty big turnaround from the Kiwis.
34TH MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): Pollard looks to the sky and Bridge comes up with the ball.
36TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY MISS: Penalty won by New Zealand, on the sideline and they will kick for the points. It's wide.
39TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Knock on called against Sam Cane, South Africa will have a scrum.
40TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), HALF TIME: Knock on from South Africa and that will be half time.
The dual playmakers seem to be making the difference, South Africa are struggling with Beauden Barrett's speed and Richie Mo'unga's deft kicking game. A really good final 25 minutes from the All Blacks.
41ST MINUTE: Back underway here in the opening match of the World Cup campaign for the All Blacks.
The All Blacks are 109/109 when leading by 14 or more at half time.
SUBSTITUTION: Patrick Tuipulotu is on for Sam Cane.
Codie Taylor is on for Dane Coles.
Beauden Barrett cops a boot to the face and is staying on with a bleeding nose.
44TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Laulala wins a penalty at scrum time and Mo'unga kicks for touch.
46TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Messy from the All Blacks and the ball is kicked out from de Klerk.
47TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Magical from South Africa, Kolbe makes a break down the wing and nearly turns Mo'unga inside out but he makes a great tackle, try saver for sure.
48TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY SOUTH AFRICA & CONVERSION: a mistake at the breakdown from New Zealand and Pieter-Steph du Toit picks up the ball and runs through the ruck to score. Kick is good. All Blacks 17-10 South Africa.
SUBSTITUTION: Crotty comes off for Sonny Bill Williams.
52ND MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): South Africa have worked the ball upfield and are 10 metres out, Savea wins the turnover.
54TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Knock on called against South Africa and now we can take a breath.
SUBSTITUTION: Joe Moody is off, replaced by Ofa Tu'ungafasi
56TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Penalty won against South Africa, de Klerk was in an offside position.
57TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty won against the throw, South Africa clear for touch.
59TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), DROP GOAL: In classic South African style, Pollard is found in the pocket and he nails a drop goal. All Blacks 17 - 13 South Africa
61ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Aaron Smith is off, TJ Perenara replaces him.
65TH MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY GOAL: Penalty won by the All Blacks and they will kick for the points here. It's good. All Blacks 20-13 South Africa.
SUBSTITUTION: Mo'unga is off for Ben Smith who will go to fullback and Beauden Barrett to first five.
68TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Big penalty won by the All Blacks - Barrett will clear.
70TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Really good work from the All Blacks as they tackle Pollard into touch.
71ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL: All Blacks win a penalty just 40 metres out and the All Blacks will look to make it a 10-point game - It's good, All Blacks 23 - 13 South Africa
73RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Sloppy from South Africa and Pollard knocks the ball on, All Blacks scrum feed.
76TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Kolbe makes another really good break but can't link with anybody and the All Blacks turn the ball over.
78TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The All Blacks are simply winding down the clock here as the look to attack late in this game.
79TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Knock on called against New Zealand as we enter the final 60 seconds.
80TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The gong goes but South Africa have one last chance.
81ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: A knock on from South Africa ends it!
What a game, finals atmosphere and could be a sign of what is to come in early November.
FULL TIME: All Blacks 23 - 13 South Africa
New Zealand 23 (George Bridge, Scott Barrett tries; Richie Mo'unga 2 penalties and 2 conversions, Beauden Barrett 1 penalty)
South Africa 13 (Pieter-Steph du Toit try; Handre Pollard 1 penalty, 1 conversion and one drop goal)
And 3 of the 6 Nations sides of Italy (Who is in Pool B), Ireland (Pool A) & England (Pool C) have begun their campaign in style with wins over Namibia, Scotland (Who had tasted the Irish curse after losing to them meaning that they have to face the AB's in the quarterfinal but their last pool game is against Japan which is a must win) & Tonga (Who were on the receiving end against England after losses against Fiji at Eden Park in the Pasifika Challenge & New Zealand at FMG Stadium Waikato in a pre-Rugby World Cup test) respectively then Wales got off to a wonderful start with a remarkable victory against Georgia last night in Toyota.
So that is my 313th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 53rd of this year.
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