Well, and in other Rugby World Cup news, England & South Africa (History beckons for both sides wanting to end the year 2019 on a high with a positive note (And it'll be the biggest match of their rugby players careers so far) if they want to lift the famous William Webb Ellis trophy) have both named their teams for the 2019 Rugby World Cup final (It'll be the 1st time I'll be writing a blog about other rugby nations naming their teams apart from the All Blacks) but here is England's starting lineup 1st:
PLAYING XV
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
2 (Hooker): Jamie George (Saracens)
3 (Tight head prop): Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Maro Itoje (Saracens)
5 (Lock): Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
BACK ROW
6 (Blind side flanker): Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
7 (Open side flanker): Sam Underhill (Bath)
8 (Number 8): Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
HALVES
9 (Half-back/Scrum-half): Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
10 (First five-eighth/Fly-half): George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth/Inside centre): Owen Farrell (Captain, Saracens)
13 (Centre/Outside centre): Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
14 (Right wing): Anthony Watson (Bath)
& 15 (Fullback): Elliot Daly (Saracens)
And in the reserves are:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Joe Marler
18. Dan Cole
19. George Kruis
20. Mark Wilson
21. Ben Spencer
22. Henry Slade
& 23. Jonathan Joseph
Squad members not playing:
Joe Cokanasiga, Piers Francis, Ellis Genge, Joe Launchbury, Lewis Ludlam, Ruaridh McConnochie, Jack Nowell & Jack Singleton.
And here is South Africa's starting lineup for the final:
PLAYING XV
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks)
2 (Hooker): Bongi Mbonambi (Stormers)
3 (Tight head prop): Frans Malherbe (Stormers)
SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Eben Etzebeth (Stormers)
5 (Lock): Lood de Jager (Bulls)
BACK ROW
7 (Blind side flanker): Pieter-Steph du Toit (Stormers)
6 (Open side flanker): Siya Kolisi (Captain, Stormers)
8 (Number 8): Duane Vermeulen (Bulls)
HALVES
9 (Half-back/Scrum-half): Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks)
10 (First five-eighth/Fly-half): Handre Pollard (Bulls)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth/Inside centre): Damian de Allende (Stormers)
13 (Centre/Outside centre): Lukhanyo Am (Sharks)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks)
14 (Right wing): Cheslin Kolbe (Toulouse)
& 15 (Fullback): Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz)
And in the reserves are:
16. Malcolm Marx
17. Steven Kitshoff
18. Vincent Koch
19. RG Snyman
20. Franco Mostert
21. Francois Louw
22. Herschel Jantjies
& 23. Francois Steyn
Squad members not playing:
Schalk Brits, Thomas du Toit, Warrick Gelant, Elton Jantjies, S'bu Nkosi, Cobus Reinach, Kwagga Smith & Damian Willemse.
So that is my 330th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 70th of this year.
Thursday, 31 October 2019
All Blacks team naming against Wales (2019 Rugby World Cup 3rd & 4th place playoff)
Well, after England ended our hopes of reaching the final (That was disappointing about our semifinal heartbreak against the best English side ever coached by Eddie Jones signalling an All Black downfall that we just had 6 days ago because it was their day but I'll still keep following the rugby from now on but I always back the All Blacks because I vow loyalty to them), the All Blacks (Who are bidding farewell to players such as captain Kieran Read, Ryan Crotty, Ben Smith, Matt Todd & Sonny Bill Williams as well as our outgoing head coach Steve Hansen) have named their team in our 3rd/4th place playoff match against Wales (Our last meeting between the 2 sides was 2 years ago in which we smoked them 33 points to 18 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff) at Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo so here is the starting lineup in it's entirety:
PLAYING XV
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Joe Moody (Crusaders/Canterbury)
2 (Hooker): Dane Coles (Hurricanes/Wellington)
3 (Tight head prop): Nepo Laulala (Chiefs/Counties Manukau)
SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Brodie Retallick (Chiefs/Hawke's Bay)
5 (Lock): Scott Barrett (Crusaders/Taranaki)
BACK ROW
6 (Blind side flanker): Shannon Frizell (Highlanders/Tasman)
7 (Open side flanker): Sam Cane (Chiefs/Bay Of Plenty)
8 (Number 8): Kieran Read (Captain, Crusaders/Counties Manukau)
HALVES
9 (Half-back): Aaron Smith (Highlanders/Manawatu)
10 (First five-eighth): Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders/Canterbury)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth): Sonny Bill Williams (Blues/Counties Manukau)
13 (Centre): Ryan Crotty (Crusaders/Canterbury)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): Rieko Ioane (Blues/Auckland)
14 (Right wing): Ben Smith (Highlanders/Otago)
& 15 (Fullback): Beauden Barrett (Blues/Taranaki)
And in the reserves are:
16. Liam Coltman (Who comes into the side to replace Dane Coles with Coles elevated to the starting lineup to replace Codie Taylor)
17. Atu Moli (Who has replaced Ofa Tu'ungafasi to cover at loose head prop)
18. Angus Ta'avao
19. Patrick Tuipulotu
20. Matt Todd (Who returns from a shoulder injury to replace Sam Cane in his last international with Cane elevated to the starting lineup to replace Ardie Savea who is out with a serious knee injury picked up during the All Blacks semifinal defeat against England)
21. Brad Weber (Who also comes into the side to replace TJ Perenara to cover in the halfback position)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (Who is dropped to the bench to replace Sonny Bill Williams with Williams elevated to the starting lineup in his final ever test)
& 23. Jordie Barrett
Squad members not playing:
George Bridge, Jack Goodhue, TJ Perenara, Sevu Reece, Ardie Savea (Injured), Codie Taylor, Ofa Tu'ungafasi & Sam Whitelock.
And Wales have named their team after their bitterly disappointing semi final against South Africa (It was virtually decided by a match winning scrum penalty in the dying seconds by the Springboks after they were 3 points ahead with a penalty goal by Handre Pollard that that put them in front before the semifinal match had ended, allowing the South Africans to go through to the final against England) when they take to the field against the All Blacks:
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Joe Moody (Crusaders/Canterbury)
2 (Hooker): Dane Coles (Hurricanes/Wellington)
3 (Tight head prop): Nepo Laulala (Chiefs/Counties Manukau)
SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Brodie Retallick (Chiefs/Hawke's Bay)
5 (Lock): Scott Barrett (Crusaders/Taranaki)
BACK ROW
6 (Blind side flanker): Shannon Frizell (Highlanders/Tasman)
7 (Open side flanker): Sam Cane (Chiefs/Bay Of Plenty)
8 (Number 8): Kieran Read (Captain, Crusaders/Counties Manukau)
HALVES
9 (Half-back): Aaron Smith (Highlanders/Manawatu)
10 (First five-eighth): Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders/Canterbury)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth): Sonny Bill Williams (Blues/Counties Manukau)
13 (Centre): Ryan Crotty (Crusaders/Canterbury)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): Rieko Ioane (Blues/Auckland)
14 (Right wing): Ben Smith (Highlanders/Otago)
& 15 (Fullback): Beauden Barrett (Blues/Taranaki)
And in the reserves are:
16. Liam Coltman (Who comes into the side to replace Dane Coles with Coles elevated to the starting lineup to replace Codie Taylor)
17. Atu Moli (Who has replaced Ofa Tu'ungafasi to cover at loose head prop)
18. Angus Ta'avao
19. Patrick Tuipulotu
20. Matt Todd (Who returns from a shoulder injury to replace Sam Cane in his last international with Cane elevated to the starting lineup to replace Ardie Savea who is out with a serious knee injury picked up during the All Blacks semifinal defeat against England)
21. Brad Weber (Who also comes into the side to replace TJ Perenara to cover in the halfback position)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (Who is dropped to the bench to replace Sonny Bill Williams with Williams elevated to the starting lineup in his final ever test)
& 23. Jordie Barrett
Squad members not playing:
George Bridge, Jack Goodhue, TJ Perenara, Sevu Reece, Ardie Savea (Injured), Codie Taylor, Ofa Tu'ungafasi & Sam Whitelock.
And Wales have named their team after their bitterly disappointing semi final against South Africa (It was virtually decided by a match winning scrum penalty in the dying seconds by the Springboks after they were 3 points ahead with a penalty goal by Handre Pollard that that put them in front before the semifinal match had ended, allowing the South Africans to go through to the final against England) when they take to the field against the All Blacks:
PLAYING XV
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Nicky Smith (Ospreys)
2 (Hooker): Ken Owens (Scarlets)
3 (Tight head prop): Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues)
SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Adam Beard (Ospreys)
5 (Lock): Alun Wyn Jones (Captain, Ospreys)
BACK ROW
6 (Blind side flanker): Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
7 (Open side flanker): James Davies (Scarlets)
8 (Number 8): Ross Moriarty (Dragons)
HALVES
9 (Half-back/Scrum-half): Tomos Williams (Cardiff Blues)
10 (First five-eighth/Fly-half): Rhys Patchell (Scarlets)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth/Inside centre): Owen Watkin (Ospreys)
13 (Centre/Outside centre): Jonathan Davies (Scarlets)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): Josh Adams (Cardiff Blues)
14 (Right wing): Owen Lane (Cardiff Blues)
& 15 (Fullback): Hallam Amos (Cardiff Blues)
And in the reserves are:
16. Elliot Dee
17. Rhys Carre
18. Wyn Jones
19. Jake Ball
20. Aaron Shingler
21. Gareth Davies
22. Dan Biggar
& 23. Hadleigh Parkes
Squad members not playing:
Aled Davies, Bradley Davies, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis (Injured), Leigh Halfpenny (Injured), George North (Injured), Aaron Wainwright (Injured) & Liam Williams.
So that is my 329th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 69th of this year.
Sunday, 27 October 2019
2019 Mitre 10 Cup finals review
Well, here is the review of the Championship & Premiership finals of the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup season but 1st it's the review of the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup Championship final:
The Bay of Plenty Steamers are headed to the Premiership in 2020 after out-lasting Hawke’s Bay 12-7 in a grueling Championship final in Rotorua.
The last time the teams met there were 12 tries scored as Bay of Plenty surged to a 51-24 victory. It became clear quickly in Rotorua there would be no repeat of that score line as both teams looked to keep the ball in tight and kick for possession rather than unleash their dangerous backlines.
It was traditional finals footy in front of a bumper crowd at Rotorua International Stadium. The first and only try of the game was not scored until the 57th minute, and even then, it was an intercept by Hawke’s Bay wing Jonah Lowe.
While the Steamers run to the final was built on their expansive back play, the final victory was all about grunt work up front and a tremendous defensive effort across the park.
It didn’t seem to matter a dot to the crowd how the win came for the Steamers. A large crowd stayed to celebrate Bay of Plenty’s first Championship title for long after the final whistle. The win also marked the Steamers first national title since winning the second division in 2000.
Bay of Plenty exerted plenty of pressure on Hawke’s Bay at set piece and ruck time and benefited with four Dan Hollinshead penalties to take a 12-0 lead after 48 minutes.
The game was in the balance in the final five minutes as the Magpies banged on the Steamers line, but there was no way through as Clayton McMillan’s side would not yield.
The win also capped off 100 Mitre 10 Cup games for 38-year-old lock Alex Ainley (92 for Tasman, 8 for Bay of Plenty).
Bay of Plenty will ply their trade in the Premiership in 2020 while Counties Manukau will drop down to take their place in the Championship.
Scorers:
Bay of Plenty: 12 (Dan Hollinshead 4 pen) Hawke’s Bay: 7 (Jonah Lowe try, Tiaan Falcon con). HT: 6-0
And finally, here is the review of the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup Premiership final:
Tasman completed an unbeaten sweep through the Mitre 10 Cup to claim their first national provincial championship premiership title when beating Wellington 31–14 at Trafalgar Park in Nelson on Saturday.
Tasman was the first time since Auckland in 2007 that a team had gone through the campaign unbeaten.
Making the better start Tasman looked to be heading for a comfortable win but a strong defensive Wellington effort allowed them to claw their way back.
In the end it was one of Tasman's most inspirational players second five-eighths Alex Nankiville who finally sealed the win when making a crucial 78th minute break from within his own half before setting up wing Will Jordan for his second try to end the contest.
It was an intense physical contest with some outstanding defensive play with flankers Liam Squire and Jordan Taufua and props Tim Perry and Tyrell Lomax, hooker Andrew Makalio and locks Quinten Strange and Pari Pari Parkinson doing their bit for Tasman while Wellington offered hooker Asafo Aumua, locks Vaea Fifita and James Blackwell and hard-working loose forwards Kirifi du'Plessis and Teariki Ben-Nicholas.
Intense Wellington pressure around the three-quarter mark threatened to derail the home side's hopes. It came after Vince Aso pulled off a midfield intercept and heading for the goalline. However, he was pulled down just short of the line by wing Will Jordan.
It appeared replacement wing Pepesana Patafilo had touched down for a try but a TMO check revealed the ball had gone forward from Aso's arm.
But Wellington refused to yield and it took desperate defence to hold Wellington out and it was replacement prop Wyatt Crockett who twice won turnovers at breakdowns in front of Tasman's posts to save the day.
Tasman got off to a strong start, first five-eighths Mitch Hunt three penalty goals in the first quarter to gain early scoreboard advantage.
But it was old-fashioned, if often forgotten, chasing at restarts that allowed Tasman to heavy Wellington. Nankivell made himself an utter nuisance for Wellington at the restart.
In the 15th minute, he secured the ball from under Wellington noses, and with Squire and Strange took the ball into set-up phases and when released Hunt turned the ball back inside where Jordan came into the line from the blindside at speed to score.
Then at another restart, in the 22nd minute, Nankiville put pressure on again and Aso knocked the ball well forward. Tasman were onto it in a flash, Hunt again took a gap and gave fullback David Havili an easy run in for the try.
Scorers: Tasman 31 (Will Jordan 2, David Havili tries; Mitchell Hunt 2 con, 4 pen) Wellington 14 (Alex Fidow try; Jackson Garden-Bachop 3 pen). HT: 23-14
So that is my 328th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 68th of this year.
The Bay of Plenty Steamers are headed to the Premiership in 2020 after out-lasting Hawke’s Bay 12-7 in a grueling Championship final in Rotorua.
The last time the teams met there were 12 tries scored as Bay of Plenty surged to a 51-24 victory. It became clear quickly in Rotorua there would be no repeat of that score line as both teams looked to keep the ball in tight and kick for possession rather than unleash their dangerous backlines.
It was traditional finals footy in front of a bumper crowd at Rotorua International Stadium. The first and only try of the game was not scored until the 57th minute, and even then, it was an intercept by Hawke’s Bay wing Jonah Lowe.
While the Steamers run to the final was built on their expansive back play, the final victory was all about grunt work up front and a tremendous defensive effort across the park.
It didn’t seem to matter a dot to the crowd how the win came for the Steamers. A large crowd stayed to celebrate Bay of Plenty’s first Championship title for long after the final whistle. The win also marked the Steamers first national title since winning the second division in 2000.
Bay of Plenty exerted plenty of pressure on Hawke’s Bay at set piece and ruck time and benefited with four Dan Hollinshead penalties to take a 12-0 lead after 48 minutes.
The game was in the balance in the final five minutes as the Magpies banged on the Steamers line, but there was no way through as Clayton McMillan’s side would not yield.
The win also capped off 100 Mitre 10 Cup games for 38-year-old lock Alex Ainley (92 for Tasman, 8 for Bay of Plenty).
Bay of Plenty will ply their trade in the Premiership in 2020 while Counties Manukau will drop down to take their place in the Championship.
Scorers:
Bay of Plenty: 12 (Dan Hollinshead 4 pen) Hawke’s Bay: 7 (Jonah Lowe try, Tiaan Falcon con). HT: 6-0
And finally, here is the review of the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup Premiership final:
Tasman completed an unbeaten sweep through the Mitre 10 Cup to claim their first national provincial championship premiership title when beating Wellington 31–14 at Trafalgar Park in Nelson on Saturday.
Tasman was the first time since Auckland in 2007 that a team had gone through the campaign unbeaten.
Making the better start Tasman looked to be heading for a comfortable win but a strong defensive Wellington effort allowed them to claw their way back.
In the end it was one of Tasman's most inspirational players second five-eighths Alex Nankiville who finally sealed the win when making a crucial 78th minute break from within his own half before setting up wing Will Jordan for his second try to end the contest.
It was an intense physical contest with some outstanding defensive play with flankers Liam Squire and Jordan Taufua and props Tim Perry and Tyrell Lomax, hooker Andrew Makalio and locks Quinten Strange and Pari Pari Parkinson doing their bit for Tasman while Wellington offered hooker Asafo Aumua, locks Vaea Fifita and James Blackwell and hard-working loose forwards Kirifi du'Plessis and Teariki Ben-Nicholas.
Intense Wellington pressure around the three-quarter mark threatened to derail the home side's hopes. It came after Vince Aso pulled off a midfield intercept and heading for the goalline. However, he was pulled down just short of the line by wing Will Jordan.
It appeared replacement wing Pepesana Patafilo had touched down for a try but a TMO check revealed the ball had gone forward from Aso's arm.
But Wellington refused to yield and it took desperate defence to hold Wellington out and it was replacement prop Wyatt Crockett who twice won turnovers at breakdowns in front of Tasman's posts to save the day.
Tasman got off to a strong start, first five-eighths Mitch Hunt three penalty goals in the first quarter to gain early scoreboard advantage.
But it was old-fashioned, if often forgotten, chasing at restarts that allowed Tasman to heavy Wellington. Nankivell made himself an utter nuisance for Wellington at the restart.
In the 15th minute, he secured the ball from under Wellington noses, and with Squire and Strange took the ball into set-up phases and when released Hunt turned the ball back inside where Jordan came into the line from the blindside at speed to score.
Then at another restart, in the 22nd minute, Nankiville put pressure on again and Aso knocked the ball well forward. Tasman were onto it in a flash, Hunt again took a gap and gave fullback David Havili an easy run in for the try.
Scorers: Tasman 31 (Will Jordan 2, David Havili tries; Mitchell Hunt 2 con, 4 pen) Wellington 14 (Alex Fidow try; Jackson Garden-Bachop 3 pen). HT: 23-14
So that is my 328th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 68th of this year.
Saturday, 26 October 2019
Bitter Sweet Symphony: English rose triumph over the land of the long white cloud
Well, the All Blacks have just fallen short of reaching the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, losing to the strong & dominant England side (Who had their 1st win against the AB's at a Rugby World Cup as well as becoming the 4th team (They joined the club along with Australia, France & South Africa) to beat New Zealand (Who handed their 1st defeat at a Rugby World Cup since 2007 in the quarterfinal against France) at a Rugby World Cup but their innovative defence that they brought them back won them the game of course meaning that the English are in the final, the match has been won by 12 points including that vital opening try scored by big Samoan born centre Manu Tuilagi & successfully converted by inspirational skipper Owen Farrell who scored 4 penalties then Ardie Savea (Who came off injured during the game) scored the All Blacks a try & converted by Richie Mo'unga but it wasn't enough as England ended New Zealand's reign as the world champions in rugby (A great win for England at International Stadium Yokohama) as well as our hopes of a historic three peat (And so for the 1st time since 2007, a new world champion will be crowned) in the semifinal in Yokohama on All Black captain Kieran Read's 34th birthday but the next one will be in France in 2023 but let's hope all that can change for New Zealand (And we're playing against in the 3rd & 4th place playoff but it's Wales who play South Africa tonight for a place in the final against England) & hard luck mate to our beloved All Blacks here (And what a disappointing way for New Zealand to end a World Cup like this, what a match for our viewers right around the world (And as a die hard New Zealand rugby fan myself, I am now being haunted by that semifinal defeat).
So that is my 327th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 67th of this year.
P.S. And we have just heard that South Africa have beaten Wales in the other semifinal (And the Welsh nearly had it but it was the Springboks who had to bring it home in the end & came out on top with South African first five Handre Pollard securing that match winning penalty goal to book a place in the final against England (Got him! South Africa have won! Straight through to him, caught & bowled (Oh wait, wrong code mate).
So it's England to play South Africa in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final (It is a rematch of the 2007 final in which the last time that the Springboks had won the World Cup against the English in a tryless final but their most recent meeting between the 2 teams was last year in which England won the test match at Twickenham despite controversy about that foul play decision made by Australian referee Angus Gardner whether the English captain Owen Farrell had used his arms in the tackle or not on Andre Esterhuizen because the Boks would have won the game should a penalty be awarded for an illegal shoulder charge (It was the year before the decision making framework for high tackles & shoulder charges (No arms tackles) according to World Rugby have been introduced) but will it be Farrell or Springbok captain Siya Kolisi to become the next World Cup winning captain to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy this year? (It was David Kirk from New Zealand in 1987 followed by Nick Farr-Jones (Australia) in 1991, Francois Pienaar (South Africa) in 1995, John Eales (Australia) in 1999, Martin Johnson (England) in 2003, John Smit (South Africa) in 2007 & Richie McCaw (New Zealand) twice in 2011 & 2015) We will find it out in 5 days time but will England win their 2nd World Cup title & their 1st since 2003 (They are looking to complete a Cricket & Rugby World Cup double (Australia was the last to complete a rare double way back in 1999 in which they won both the Cricket & Rugby World Cup in the same year) or will the famous William Webb Ellis trophy return to South Africa after 12 years?) at the International Stadium in Yokohama on Saturday night New Zealand time to decide who will become the new World Champion in rugby but it's the All Blacks against Wales (Both sides deserve to be in the final but it wasn't to be as they lost to both opponents England & South Africa in the semifinal) 1st to decide who'll finish 3rd at Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo on Friday.
So that is my 327th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 67th of this year.
P.S. And we have just heard that South Africa have beaten Wales in the other semifinal (And the Welsh nearly had it but it was the Springboks who had to bring it home in the end & came out on top with South African first five Handre Pollard securing that match winning penalty goal to book a place in the final against England (Got him! South Africa have won! Straight through to him, caught & bowled (Oh wait, wrong code mate).
So it's England to play South Africa in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final (It is a rematch of the 2007 final in which the last time that the Springboks had won the World Cup against the English in a tryless final but their most recent meeting between the 2 teams was last year in which England won the test match at Twickenham despite controversy about that foul play decision made by Australian referee Angus Gardner whether the English captain Owen Farrell had used his arms in the tackle or not on Andre Esterhuizen because the Boks would have won the game should a penalty be awarded for an illegal shoulder charge (It was the year before the decision making framework for high tackles & shoulder charges (No arms tackles) according to World Rugby have been introduced) but will it be Farrell or Springbok captain Siya Kolisi to become the next World Cup winning captain to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy this year? (It was David Kirk from New Zealand in 1987 followed by Nick Farr-Jones (Australia) in 1991, Francois Pienaar (South Africa) in 1995, John Eales (Australia) in 1999, Martin Johnson (England) in 2003, John Smit (South Africa) in 2007 & Richie McCaw (New Zealand) twice in 2011 & 2015) We will find it out in 5 days time but will England win their 2nd World Cup title & their 1st since 2003 (They are looking to complete a Cricket & Rugby World Cup double (Australia was the last to complete a rare double way back in 1999 in which they won both the Cricket & Rugby World Cup in the same year) or will the famous William Webb Ellis trophy return to South Africa after 12 years?) at the International Stadium in Yokohama on Saturday night New Zealand time to decide who will become the new World Champion in rugby but it's the All Blacks against Wales (Both sides deserve to be in the final but it wasn't to be as they lost to both opponents England & South Africa in the semifinal) 1st to decide who'll finish 3rd at Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo on Friday.
Wednesday, 23 October 2019
All Blacks team naming against England (2019 Rugby World Cup semifinal)
Well, it's all or nothing (Or should I say it is now or never) as the semifinals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup tournament are here (The other semifinal game is Wales against South Africa with the winner of that semifinal will face either England or New Zealand in the final at Yokohama on the 2nd of November) but the All Blacks have revealed our team to play against England (Who will try to end New Zealand's hopes of reaching the final & go for the historic three peat (And their last meeting between the 2 sides was last year when the AB's went on to win the test after being 15 - 0 down at Twickenham) at International Stadium Yokohama so here is the starting lineup in it's entirety:
PLAYING XV
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Joe Moody (Crusaders/Canterbury)
2 (Hooker): Codie Taylor (Crusaders/Canterbury)
3 (Tight head prop): Nepo Laulala (Chiefs/Counties Manukau)
SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Brodie Retallick (Chiefs/Hawke's Bay)
5 (Lock): Sam Whitelock (Crusaders/Canterbury)
BACK ROW
6 (Blind side flanker): Scott Barrett (Crusaders/Taranaki)
7 (Open side flanker): Ardie Savea (Hurricanes/Wellington)
8 (Number 8): Kieran Read (Captain, Crusaders/Counties Manukau)
HALVES
9 (Half-back): Aaron Smith (Highlanders/Manawatu)
10 (First five-eighth): Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders/Canterbury)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth): Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs/Waikato)
13 (Centre): Jack Goodhue (Crusaders/Northland)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): George Bridge (Crusaders/Canterbury)
14 (Right wing): Sevu Reece (Crusaders/Waikato)
& 15 (Fullback): Beauden Barrett (Blues/Taranaki)
And in the reserves are:
16. Dane Coles
17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
18. Angus Ta'avao
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (Who replaces Scott Barrett with Barrett elevated to the starting lineup to play at the blindside flanker position)
20. Sam Cane (Who is dropped to the bench, replacing Matt Todd who is ruled out of the semis through a shoulder injury)
21. TJ Perenara
22. Sonny Bill Williams
& 23. Jordie Barrett
Squad members not playing:
Liam Coltman, Ryan Crotty, Shannon Frizell, Rieko Ioane, Atu Moli, Ben Smith, Matt Todd (Injured) & Brad Weber.
And England have named their team as well as their strongest possible lineup when they take to the field against the All Blacks (Well, is this the best England rugby team ever since they won the Rugby World Cup in 2003? We will find out on Saturday):
PLAYING XV
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
2 (Hooker): Jamie George (Saracens)
3 (Tight head prop): Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Maro Itoje (Saracens)
5 (Lock): Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
BACK ROW
6 (Blind side flanker): Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
7 (Open side flanker): Sam Underhill (Bath)
8 (Number 8): Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
HALVES
9 (Half-back/Scrum-half): Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
10 (First five-eighth/Fly-half): George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth/Inside centre): Owen Farrell (Captain, Saracens)
13 (Centre/Outside centre): Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
14 (Right wing): Anthony Watson (Bath)
& 15 (Fullback): Elliot Daly (Saracens)
And in the reserves are:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Joe Marler
18. Dan Cole
19. George Kruis
20. Mark Wilson
21. Willi Heinz
22. Henry Slade
& 23. Jonathan Joseph
Squad members not playing:
Joe Cokanasiga, Piers Francis, Ellis Genge, Joe Launchbury, Lewis Ludlam, Ruaridh McConnochie, Jack Nowell & Jack Singleton.
So that is my 326th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 66th of this year.
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Joe Moody (Crusaders/Canterbury)
2 (Hooker): Codie Taylor (Crusaders/Canterbury)
3 (Tight head prop): Nepo Laulala (Chiefs/Counties Manukau)
SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Brodie Retallick (Chiefs/Hawke's Bay)
5 (Lock): Sam Whitelock (Crusaders/Canterbury)
BACK ROW
6 (Blind side flanker): Scott Barrett (Crusaders/Taranaki)
7 (Open side flanker): Ardie Savea (Hurricanes/Wellington)
8 (Number 8): Kieran Read (Captain, Crusaders/Counties Manukau)
HALVES
9 (Half-back): Aaron Smith (Highlanders/Manawatu)
10 (First five-eighth): Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders/Canterbury)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth): Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs/Waikato)
13 (Centre): Jack Goodhue (Crusaders/Northland)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): George Bridge (Crusaders/Canterbury)
14 (Right wing): Sevu Reece (Crusaders/Waikato)
& 15 (Fullback): Beauden Barrett (Blues/Taranaki)
And in the reserves are:
16. Dane Coles
17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
18. Angus Ta'avao
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (Who replaces Scott Barrett with Barrett elevated to the starting lineup to play at the blindside flanker position)
20. Sam Cane (Who is dropped to the bench, replacing Matt Todd who is ruled out of the semis through a shoulder injury)
21. TJ Perenara
22. Sonny Bill Williams
& 23. Jordie Barrett
Squad members not playing:
Liam Coltman, Ryan Crotty, Shannon Frizell, Rieko Ioane, Atu Moli, Ben Smith, Matt Todd (Injured) & Brad Weber.
And England have named their team as well as their strongest possible lineup when they take to the field against the All Blacks (Well, is this the best England rugby team ever since they won the Rugby World Cup in 2003? We will find out on Saturday):
PLAYING XV
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
2 (Hooker): Jamie George (Saracens)
3 (Tight head prop): Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Maro Itoje (Saracens)
5 (Lock): Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
BACK ROW
6 (Blind side flanker): Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
7 (Open side flanker): Sam Underhill (Bath)
8 (Number 8): Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
HALVES
9 (Half-back/Scrum-half): Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
10 (First five-eighth/Fly-half): George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth/Inside centre): Owen Farrell (Captain, Saracens)
13 (Centre/Outside centre): Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
14 (Right wing): Anthony Watson (Bath)
& 15 (Fullback): Elliot Daly (Saracens)
And in the reserves are:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Joe Marler
18. Dan Cole
19. George Kruis
20. Mark Wilson
21. Willi Heinz
22. Henry Slade
& 23. Jonathan Joseph
Squad members not playing:
Joe Cokanasiga, Piers Francis, Ellis Genge, Joe Launchbury, Lewis Ludlam, Ruaridh McConnochie, Jack Nowell & Jack Singleton.
So that is my 326th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 66th of this year.
Tuesday, 22 October 2019
2019 Mitre 10 Cup semifinals review
Well, here is the review of the Championship & Premiership semifinals of the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup season:
Tasman will host Wellington in the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership final next weekend while in the Championship Bay of Plenty will play Hawke's Bay to decide which side will be promoted for next season.
Mitre 10 Cup Semifinals
Premiership:
Tasman 18 Auckland 9
It was a tough old go in Blenheim before Tasman could claim the right to a home final next week. Auckland turned up in a far more committed manner than the last time the two sides met, and pushed the home team as hard as they have been pushed all season. There were only penalty goals in it at halftime, Auckland having been the dominant side but just unable to breach the desperate home defence. There were only 10 minutes left when lock Quinten Strange capped off good work by Fetuli Paea and scored the first try. Auckland pulled back a penalty goal but it was Alex Nankivell who broke the deadlock when fed into a hole by fullback David Havili to score three minutes from the end.
Scorers: Tasman 18 (Quinten Strange, Alex Nankivell tries; Mitch Hunt con, 2 pen) Auckland 9 (Harry Plummer 3 pen). HT: 6-3
Wellington 30 Canterbury 19
When Wellington's big men like No 8 Ben Nicholas and lock Vaea Fifita get room to run the ball they provide great set-up and fullback Trent Renata benefited with the first try. Canterbury's kicking game lacked early accuracy and allowed lock James Blackwell to finish off a counter move. Then complementary work between forwards and backs resulted in wing Ben Lam's try. Leading 17-0 at the turn, Wellington had to face a Canterbury surge with three forward-based tries to No 8 Luke Whitelock and driving lineout play that saw hooker Shilo Klein score twice – something that will not have gone unnoticed across Cook Strait by Tasman ahead of next week's final – but the gap was too far to overcome.
Scorers: Wellington 30 (Trent Renata, James Blackwell, Ben Lam tries, Jackson Garden-Bachop 3 con, 2 pen, dropped goal) Canterbury 19 (Luke Whitelock, Shilo Klein 2 tries; Brett Cameron 2 con). HT: 17-0
Championship
Bay of Plenty 64 Manawatu 3
Demonstrating outstanding forward power, Bay of Plenty overpowered Manawatu in their semifinal in Rotorua on Friday. Setting a solid foundation they provided classic front foot ball for Bay of Plenty's backs, of whom none shone more than fullback Emoni Narawa whose speed into the line made the most of ineffective Manawatu tackling. With a home final, Bay of Plenty have a Premiership berth well and truly in their sights.
Scorers: Bay of Plenty 64 (Emoni Narawa 3, Joe Ravouvou, Nathan Vella, Hoani Matenga, Richard Judd, Aidan Ross, Pryor Collier, Jason Robertson tries; Chase Tiatia 5 con; Robertson 2 con) Manawatu 3 (Sam Malcolm pen). HT: 31-3
Hawke's Bay 44 Otago 39
It took until extra time but Hawke's Bay came from 7-21 down to beat Otago and claim the finals berth in a thrilling game in Napier. Otago hit Hawke's Bay hard from the opening with superb running from fullback Michael Collins and wing Jona Nareki creating the first two tries. Hawke's Bay got themselves back in the game to be 14-21 down but then their own superb running, with good play from lively halfback Folau Fakatava helping them claim the lead before Otago came back and levelled the scores at 31-31 required extra time. First five-eighths Josh Ioane landed a 50-metre penalty goal but the key difference was the try to flying wing Mason Emerson which gave the home side a crucial lead.
Scorers: Hawke's Bay 44 (Neria Fomai, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Lincoln McClutchie, Devan Flanders, Mason Emerson tries; Tiaan Falcon 5 con, 3 pen) Otago 39 (Michael Collins 2, Slade McDowall, Aleki Morris-Lome, Mika Mafi tries; Josh Ioane 4 con, 2 pen). HT: 14-24. FT: 31-31
So that is my 325th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 65th of this year.
Tasman will host Wellington in the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership final next weekend while in the Championship Bay of Plenty will play Hawke's Bay to decide which side will be promoted for next season.
Mitre 10 Cup Semifinals
Premiership:
Tasman 18 Auckland 9
It was a tough old go in Blenheim before Tasman could claim the right to a home final next week. Auckland turned up in a far more committed manner than the last time the two sides met, and pushed the home team as hard as they have been pushed all season. There were only penalty goals in it at halftime, Auckland having been the dominant side but just unable to breach the desperate home defence. There were only 10 minutes left when lock Quinten Strange capped off good work by Fetuli Paea and scored the first try. Auckland pulled back a penalty goal but it was Alex Nankivell who broke the deadlock when fed into a hole by fullback David Havili to score three minutes from the end.
Scorers: Tasman 18 (Quinten Strange, Alex Nankivell tries; Mitch Hunt con, 2 pen) Auckland 9 (Harry Plummer 3 pen). HT: 6-3
Wellington 30 Canterbury 19
When Wellington's big men like No 8 Ben Nicholas and lock Vaea Fifita get room to run the ball they provide great set-up and fullback Trent Renata benefited with the first try. Canterbury's kicking game lacked early accuracy and allowed lock James Blackwell to finish off a counter move. Then complementary work between forwards and backs resulted in wing Ben Lam's try. Leading 17-0 at the turn, Wellington had to face a Canterbury surge with three forward-based tries to No 8 Luke Whitelock and driving lineout play that saw hooker Shilo Klein score twice – something that will not have gone unnoticed across Cook Strait by Tasman ahead of next week's final – but the gap was too far to overcome.
Scorers: Wellington 30 (Trent Renata, James Blackwell, Ben Lam tries, Jackson Garden-Bachop 3 con, 2 pen, dropped goal) Canterbury 19 (Luke Whitelock, Shilo Klein 2 tries; Brett Cameron 2 con). HT: 17-0
Championship
Bay of Plenty 64 Manawatu 3
Demonstrating outstanding forward power, Bay of Plenty overpowered Manawatu in their semifinal in Rotorua on Friday. Setting a solid foundation they provided classic front foot ball for Bay of Plenty's backs, of whom none shone more than fullback Emoni Narawa whose speed into the line made the most of ineffective Manawatu tackling. With a home final, Bay of Plenty have a Premiership berth well and truly in their sights.
Scorers: Bay of Plenty 64 (Emoni Narawa 3, Joe Ravouvou, Nathan Vella, Hoani Matenga, Richard Judd, Aidan Ross, Pryor Collier, Jason Robertson tries; Chase Tiatia 5 con; Robertson 2 con) Manawatu 3 (Sam Malcolm pen). HT: 31-3
Hawke's Bay 44 Otago 39
It took until extra time but Hawke's Bay came from 7-21 down to beat Otago and claim the finals berth in a thrilling game in Napier. Otago hit Hawke's Bay hard from the opening with superb running from fullback Michael Collins and wing Jona Nareki creating the first two tries. Hawke's Bay got themselves back in the game to be 14-21 down but then their own superb running, with good play from lively halfback Folau Fakatava helping them claim the lead before Otago came back and levelled the scores at 31-31 required extra time. First five-eighths Josh Ioane landed a 50-metre penalty goal but the key difference was the try to flying wing Mason Emerson which gave the home side a crucial lead.
Scorers: Hawke's Bay 44 (Neria Fomai, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Lincoln McClutchie, Devan Flanders, Mason Emerson tries; Tiaan Falcon 5 con, 3 pen) Otago 39 (Michael Collins 2, Slade McDowall, Aleki Morris-Lome, Mika Mafi tries; Josh Ioane 4 con, 2 pen). HT: 14-24. FT: 31-31
So that is my 325th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 65th of this year.
2019 Rugby World Cup news flash
2019 RUGBY WORLD CUP JAPAN NEWS FLASH!!! News just come in as England march on into the final four, breaking Wallaby hearts in Oita (It was revenge for England since losing to them in 2015) then the All Blacks are in the semifinals, dismantling Ireland in the quarterfinals at Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo so here is the match commentary provided by Newshub:
Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the Rugby World Cup quarter-final between the All Blacks and Ireland.
All Blacks: 1-Joe Moody, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Samuel Whitelock, 6-Ardie Savea, 7-Sam Cane, 8-Kieran Read, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-George Bridge, 12-Anton Lienert-Brown, 13-Jack Goodhue, 14-Sevu Reece, 15-Beauden Barrett
Reserves: 16-Dane Coles, 17-Ofa Tuungafasi, 18-Angus Ta'avao, 19-Scott Barrett, 20-Matt Todd, 21-TJ Perenara, 22-Sonny Bill Williams, 23-Jordie Barrett.
Ireland: 1-Cian Healy, 2-Rory Best, 3-Tadhg Furlong, 4-Iain Henderson. 5-James Ryan, 6-Peter O'Mahony, 7-Josh van der Flier, 8-CJ Stander, 9-Conor Murray, 10-Johnny Sexton, 11-Jacob Stockdale, 12-Robbie Henshaw, 13-Garry Ringrose, 14-Keith Earls, 15-Rob Kearney
Reserves: 16-Niall Scannell, 17-Dave Kilcoyne, 18-Andrew Porter, 19-Tadhg Beirne, 20-Rhys Ruddock, 21-Luke McGrath, 22-Joey Carbery, 23-Jordan Larmour.
11:05PM: Not far away now! 10 minutes until kick off
11:11PM: Anthems are up now, a couple of bangers to get us started this evening.
11:15PM: Haka time! You can hardly hear them! The croud is so loud.
1ST MINUTE: Kick off! We are underway in Tokyo.
SCRUM: Early knock on from the All Blacks, first scrum of the game, here we go.
2ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Trick play early from Ireland, Sexton tries a cross field kick, NZ gathers and Goodhue puts a kick in behind. Ireland lineout.
3RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Maul called and the All Blacks win a scrum feed.
5TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: The All Blacks have their first attacking attempt, Stockdale is called for the deliberate knock down, All Blacks penalty.
SUBSTITUTION & PENALTY GOAL: Ringrose is off for a blood bin, the All Blacks will kick for goal. It's good. All Blacks 3 - 0 Ireland.
7TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): A conservative start from both sides here, like a boxing fight. Ireland gather their own kick off.
8TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Bridge pounces on a loose ball and kick down field, Ireland get back and will clear through Murray.
9TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Ardie Savea is pinged for the infringement at the lineout - Ireland will kick for touch.
10TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Good defence from Cane, forces a knock on. NZ scrum.
12TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Really good attack from the All Blacks, they almost create on overlap to the left but Kearney clears, All Blacks lineout.
14TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: the forwards got to work to put the Irish on the back foot and Aaron Smith pounces and scores the opener. Kick is good. All Blacks 10 - 0 Ireland.
16TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Ireland have the advantage and will win a penalty - they will kick for touch.
18TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Mo'unga does well to keep the ball in play and Barrett clears! Lovely from the two playmakers.
19TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Dusty work at the lineout from Ireland! They knock it on and the All Blacks win a scrum feed.
20TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Reece and Bridge combine well down the left hand side after a great pass from Goodhue and on the recycle, it's Aaron Smith who scores again! Kick is good - great kick! All Blacks 17 - 0 Ireland.
22ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Ringrose is called for a head high tackle/high shot (Dangerous tackle) on Savea, the All Blacks will kick for touch.
23RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Stolen at the lineout from Ireland and they clear through Murray.
24TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Great work at the breakdown from Peter O'Mahony and he wins a penalty for Ireland - they need to score some points here.
25TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Knock on at contact from Ireland - big defence from the Kiwis.
26TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty called against Healy - the All Blacks will kick for touch.
28TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Knock on from Savea, a tough call, but he lost it.
30TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Reece makes a mini break but a pass from ALB goes forward and Ireland are able to clear.
31ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: ALB is called for coming in from the side, Ireland are hanging in this one but the All Blacks are knocking on the door for the killer blow.
32ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION MISS: Mo'unga pounces on a loose pass and kicks the ball, Barrett gets to it and kicks it forward and his pace gets him over the line and scores. That could be all she wrote now, the All Blacks are all over it! Kick is wide. All Blacks 22 - 0 Ireland.
35TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Murray knocks the ball on and they look rattled, out of their depth at the moment.
37TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Another knock on then Murray tackles Smith around the neck, the All Blacks will kick for touch.
38TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Horrible kick from Mo'unga - it doesn't find touch.
41ST MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Ireland win a penalty and will kick for touch - a last chance here in the 1st half.
43RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Another penalty called against the All Blacks and Ireland will kick for touch again.
PENALTY: TMO is called and the penalty have been reversed, Peter O'Mahony is called, All Blacks win the penalty and that will be half time.
HALF TIME: The All Blacks have been a cut above this half, their forwards have been more physical and the back line has been too slick, I don't see much of a way back for Ireland.
41ST MINUTE: Back underway for the 2nd half!
42ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Scott Barrett is on for Brodie Retallick, scratch that! He's on for Sam Cane, a wrist injury.
44TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Mistake from Beauden, goes for a droppy from half way, it goes dead.
45TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Moody makes another good run, he's had a superb game.
48TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Clinical from the Kiwis, Read makes a break and pops up a pass to Taylor who scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 29 - 0 Ireland.
52ND MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): Ireland are on attack here, Sexton puts up a bomb and the All Blacks clear.
54TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Lovely from Aaron Smith, box kick puts Ireland deep in their own half and they clear through Murray.
56TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Good work at the breakdown from Ireland, they win a penalty at the breakdown.
58TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Knock on off black is the call and Ireland have the scrum feed.
60TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Incredible work from Beauden Barrett with a kick, the chase and the gather.
61ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION MISS: Saucy little cross field kick to Reece, he beats two before being tackles and the pass goes to Matt Todd who scores! Kick is wide. All Blacks 34 - 0 Ireland.
65TH MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): Ireland have the pill now and work it forward.
67TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: A kick in behind falls to Carbery and he knocks the ball on, they come back for the penalty.
69TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY IRELAND & CONVERSION: Finally the men in green have something to cheer about, off the scrum they go to the right and it's Robbie Henshaw who scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 34 - 7 Ireland
73RD MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Superb from Savea who makes the gap, finds Coles who offloads it to Bridge who scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 41 - 7 Ireland.
76TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Ireland have a lineout and are now just 5 metres out.
77TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY TRY IRELAND & YELLOW CARD: Matt Todd sees yellow too, he is called for being offside and diving in front of the post to prevent a try against the post. All Blacks 41 - 14 Ireland
79TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Beauden Barrett has been named man of the match, great game from the fullback.
TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION MISS: Simple execution as they shift right, Beauden finds Jordie and he scores. Kick is wide. All Blacks 46 - 14 Ireland
FULL TIME! Absolute clinic from the men in black, it's see ya later Ireland as the All Blacks march on to the next round.
ALL BLACKS 46 - 14 IRELAND
And Wales have beaten 14 man France (Although the French had Sebastien Vahaamahina sent off for leading into an elbow on a Welsh player to the head then Wales had scored the match winning try in style during the injury time period) in Oita to advance through to the semis along with South Africa who ended Japan's hopes of reaching the semifinal in Tokyo (It was pay back for the Springboks after losing to them in 2015).
And here is the confirmed list for the semifinal matches being played:
England Vs New Zealand (Their most recent meeting at a Rugby World Cup was 20 years ago when the All Blacks ran out as winners as the late Jonah Lomu able to repeat his heroics against England in 1995, scoring just the single try in the game during the pool stages as well as Jeff Wilson who scored the opening try of the match)
And Wales Vs South Africa (The last time both of these sides had met at a Rugby World Cup was during the quarterfinals in 2015 in which the Springboks knocked Wales out of the Rugby World Cup to go through to the semis to face the AB's who had just beaten France)
So that is my 324th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 64th of this year.
Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the Rugby World Cup quarter-final between the All Blacks and Ireland.
All Blacks: 1-Joe Moody, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Samuel Whitelock, 6-Ardie Savea, 7-Sam Cane, 8-Kieran Read, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-George Bridge, 12-Anton Lienert-Brown, 13-Jack Goodhue, 14-Sevu Reece, 15-Beauden Barrett
Reserves: 16-Dane Coles, 17-Ofa Tuungafasi, 18-Angus Ta'avao, 19-Scott Barrett, 20-Matt Todd, 21-TJ Perenara, 22-Sonny Bill Williams, 23-Jordie Barrett.
Ireland: 1-Cian Healy, 2-Rory Best, 3-Tadhg Furlong, 4-Iain Henderson. 5-James Ryan, 6-Peter O'Mahony, 7-Josh van der Flier, 8-CJ Stander, 9-Conor Murray, 10-Johnny Sexton, 11-Jacob Stockdale, 12-Robbie Henshaw, 13-Garry Ringrose, 14-Keith Earls, 15-Rob Kearney
Reserves: 16-Niall Scannell, 17-Dave Kilcoyne, 18-Andrew Porter, 19-Tadhg Beirne, 20-Rhys Ruddock, 21-Luke McGrath, 22-Joey Carbery, 23-Jordan Larmour.
11:05PM: Not far away now! 10 minutes until kick off
11:11PM: Anthems are up now, a couple of bangers to get us started this evening.
11:15PM: Haka time! You can hardly hear them! The croud is so loud.
1ST MINUTE: Kick off! We are underway in Tokyo.
SCRUM: Early knock on from the All Blacks, first scrum of the game, here we go.
2ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Trick play early from Ireland, Sexton tries a cross field kick, NZ gathers and Goodhue puts a kick in behind. Ireland lineout.
3RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Maul called and the All Blacks win a scrum feed.
5TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: The All Blacks have their first attacking attempt, Stockdale is called for the deliberate knock down, All Blacks penalty.
SUBSTITUTION & PENALTY GOAL: Ringrose is off for a blood bin, the All Blacks will kick for goal. It's good. All Blacks 3 - 0 Ireland.
7TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): A conservative start from both sides here, like a boxing fight. Ireland gather their own kick off.
8TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Bridge pounces on a loose ball and kick down field, Ireland get back and will clear through Murray.
9TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Ardie Savea is pinged for the infringement at the lineout - Ireland will kick for touch.
10TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Good defence from Cane, forces a knock on. NZ scrum.
12TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Really good attack from the All Blacks, they almost create on overlap to the left but Kearney clears, All Blacks lineout.
14TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: the forwards got to work to put the Irish on the back foot and Aaron Smith pounces and scores the opener. Kick is good. All Blacks 10 - 0 Ireland.
16TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Ireland have the advantage and will win a penalty - they will kick for touch.
18TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Mo'unga does well to keep the ball in play and Barrett clears! Lovely from the two playmakers.
19TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Dusty work at the lineout from Ireland! They knock it on and the All Blacks win a scrum feed.
20TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Reece and Bridge combine well down the left hand side after a great pass from Goodhue and on the recycle, it's Aaron Smith who scores again! Kick is good - great kick! All Blacks 17 - 0 Ireland.
22ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Ringrose is called for a head high tackle/high shot (Dangerous tackle) on Savea, the All Blacks will kick for touch.
23RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Stolen at the lineout from Ireland and they clear through Murray.
24TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Great work at the breakdown from Peter O'Mahony and he wins a penalty for Ireland - they need to score some points here.
25TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Knock on at contact from Ireland - big defence from the Kiwis.
26TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty called against Healy - the All Blacks will kick for touch.
28TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Knock on from Savea, a tough call, but he lost it.
30TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Reece makes a mini break but a pass from ALB goes forward and Ireland are able to clear.
31ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: ALB is called for coming in from the side, Ireland are hanging in this one but the All Blacks are knocking on the door for the killer blow.
32ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION MISS: Mo'unga pounces on a loose pass and kicks the ball, Barrett gets to it and kicks it forward and his pace gets him over the line and scores. That could be all she wrote now, the All Blacks are all over it! Kick is wide. All Blacks 22 - 0 Ireland.
35TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Murray knocks the ball on and they look rattled, out of their depth at the moment.
37TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Another knock on then Murray tackles Smith around the neck, the All Blacks will kick for touch.
38TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Horrible kick from Mo'unga - it doesn't find touch.
41ST MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Ireland win a penalty and will kick for touch - a last chance here in the 1st half.
43RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Another penalty called against the All Blacks and Ireland will kick for touch again.
PENALTY: TMO is called and the penalty have been reversed, Peter O'Mahony is called, All Blacks win the penalty and that will be half time.
HALF TIME: The All Blacks have been a cut above this half, their forwards have been more physical and the back line has been too slick, I don't see much of a way back for Ireland.
41ST MINUTE: Back underway for the 2nd half!
42ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Scott Barrett is on for Brodie Retallick, scratch that! He's on for Sam Cane, a wrist injury.
44TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Mistake from Beauden, goes for a droppy from half way, it goes dead.
45TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Moody makes another good run, he's had a superb game.
48TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Clinical from the Kiwis, Read makes a break and pops up a pass to Taylor who scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 29 - 0 Ireland.
52ND MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): Ireland are on attack here, Sexton puts up a bomb and the All Blacks clear.
54TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Lovely from Aaron Smith, box kick puts Ireland deep in their own half and they clear through Murray.
56TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Good work at the breakdown from Ireland, they win a penalty at the breakdown.
58TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Knock on off black is the call and Ireland have the scrum feed.
60TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Incredible work from Beauden Barrett with a kick, the chase and the gather.
61ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION MISS: Saucy little cross field kick to Reece, he beats two before being tackles and the pass goes to Matt Todd who scores! Kick is wide. All Blacks 34 - 0 Ireland.
65TH MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): Ireland have the pill now and work it forward.
67TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: A kick in behind falls to Carbery and he knocks the ball on, they come back for the penalty.
69TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY IRELAND & CONVERSION: Finally the men in green have something to cheer about, off the scrum they go to the right and it's Robbie Henshaw who scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 34 - 7 Ireland
73RD MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Superb from Savea who makes the gap, finds Coles who offloads it to Bridge who scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 41 - 7 Ireland.
76TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Ireland have a lineout and are now just 5 metres out.
77TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY TRY IRELAND & YELLOW CARD: Matt Todd sees yellow too, he is called for being offside and diving in front of the post to prevent a try against the post. All Blacks 41 - 14 Ireland
79TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Beauden Barrett has been named man of the match, great game from the fullback.
TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION MISS: Simple execution as they shift right, Beauden finds Jordie and he scores. Kick is wide. All Blacks 46 - 14 Ireland
FULL TIME! Absolute clinic from the men in black, it's see ya later Ireland as the All Blacks march on to the next round.
ALL BLACKS 46 - 14 IRELAND
And Wales have beaten 14 man France (Although the French had Sebastien Vahaamahina sent off for leading into an elbow on a Welsh player to the head then Wales had scored the match winning try in style during the injury time period) in Oita to advance through to the semis along with South Africa who ended Japan's hopes of reaching the semifinal in Tokyo (It was pay back for the Springboks after losing to them in 2015).
And here is the confirmed list for the semifinal matches being played:
England Vs New Zealand (Their most recent meeting at a Rugby World Cup was 20 years ago when the All Blacks ran out as winners as the late Jonah Lomu able to repeat his heroics against England in 1995, scoring just the single try in the game during the pool stages as well as Jeff Wilson who scored the opening try of the match)
And Wales Vs South Africa (The last time both of these sides had met at a Rugby World Cup was during the quarterfinals in 2015 in which the Springboks knocked Wales out of the Rugby World Cup to go through to the semis to face the AB's who had just beaten France)
So that is my 324th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 64th of this year.
Wednesday, 16 October 2019
All Blacks team naming against Ireland (2019 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal)
Well, it is do or die time (Win or go home) as the quarterfinals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup tournament are here (But it's England facing Australia 1st before New Zealand take on Ireland (The winner of this quarterfinal encounter will face either the Poms or Aussies in the semifinal in Yokohama but the referee in charge of the New Zealand/Ireland game will be Nigel Owens of Wales (Who took charge in the final of the 2015 tournament) then the other quarterfinal games are Wales against 2023 hosts France & tournament hosts Japan (1st Asian team to reach the quarterfinals & 13th different country to reach the quarterfinal) against South Africa (They are still haunted by that miracle on Brighton defeat 4 years ago) but the All Blacks have revealed our team to play against Ireland (Who will try to end New Zealand's reign as world champions in rugby union (And their last meeting between the 2 sides was last year where Ireland ran away as winners in Dublin in only their 2nd win (Their other victory was in Chicago in 2016 (The last time the All Blacks had beaten Ireland in the same year) as well as ending their quarterfinal jinx at the Rugby World Cup (They have been to the quarterfinals before, appearing in it 6 times (1987, 1991, 1995, 2003, 2011 & 2015) & lost on all of that 6 occasions (Against Australia twice in 1987 & 1991, France twice in 1995 & 2003, Wales in 2011 & Argentina in 2015) but had never reached both the semifinal & final (And well, this is high octane stuff but we'll see in 2 days time (And who'll raise the stakes? It is a must win or else they'll go home) but New Zealand has never lost a Rugby World Cup game since the quarterfinal against France in 2007 but we haven't lost a single World Cup game since (It was 17 straight victories (In 2011 against Tonga, Japan, France & Canada in the pool stages, Argentina in the quarters, Australia in the semis & France in the final, 2015 against Argentina, Namibia, Georgia & Tonga in the pool stages, France in the quarters, South Africa in the semis & Australia in the final & this year against South Africa, Canada & Namibia in the pool stages) & a draw due to the match against Italy being cancelled because of a typhoon + 2 World Cup triumphs in 2011 & 2015) at Tokyo Stadium so here is the starting lineup in it's entirety:
PLAYING XV
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Joe Moody (Crusaders/Canterbury)
2 (Hooker): Codie Taylor (Crusaders/Canterbury)
3 (Tight head prop): Nepo Laulala (Chiefs/Counties Manukau)
SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Brodie Retallick (Chiefs/Hawke's Bay)
5 (Lock): Sam Whitelock (Crusaders/Canterbury)
BACK ROW
6 (Blind side flanker): Ardie Savea (Hurricanes/Wellington)
7 (Open side flanker): Sam Cane (Chiefs/Bay Of Plenty)
8 (Number 8): Kieran Read (Captain, Crusaders/Counties Manukau)
HALVES
9 (Half-back): Aaron Smith (Highlanders/Manawatu)
10 (First five-eighth): Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders/Canterbury)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth): Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs/Waikato)
13 (Centre): Jack Goodhue (Crusaders/Northland)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): George Bridge (Crusaders/Canterbury)
14 (Right wing): Sevu Reece (Crusaders/Waikato)
& 15 (Fullback): Beauden Barrett (Blues/Taranaki)
And in the reserves are:
16. Dane Coles
17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
18. Angus Ta'avao
19. Scott Barrett (Who has dropped to the bench to replace Patrick Tuipulotu)
20. Matt Todd
21. TJ Perenara (Who replaces Brad Weber to cover at halfback)
22. Sonny Bill Williams (Who returns to the bench to cover the second five position)
& 23. Jordie Barrett (Who is dropped to the bench to replace Ben Smith)
Squad members not playing:
Liam Coltman, Ryan Crotty, Shannon Frizell, Rieko Ioane, Atu Moli, Ben Smith, Patrick Tuipulotu & Brad Weber.
And Ireland have named their team as well as their strongest possible lineup when they take to the field against the All Blacks:
PLAYING XV
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Cian Healy (Leinster)
2 (Hooker): Rory Best (Captain, Ulster)
3 (Tight head prop): Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Iain Henderson (Ulster)
5 (Lock): James Ryan (Leinster)
BACK ROW
6 (Blind side flanker): Peter O'Mahony (Munster)
7 (Open side flanker): Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
8 (Number 8): CJ Stander (Munster)
HALVES
9 (Half-back/Scrum-half): Conor Murray (Munster)
10 (First five-eighth/Fly-half): Jonathan Sexton (Leinster)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth/Inside centre): Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)
13 (Centre/Outside centre): Gary Ringrose (Leinster)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)
14 (Right wing): Keith Earls (Munster)
& 15 (Fullback): Rob Kearney (Leinster)
And in the reserves are:
16. Niall Scannell
17. David Kilcoyne
18. Andrew Porter
19. Tadhg Beirne
20. Rhys Ruddock
21. Luke McGrath
22. Joey Carbery
& 23. Jordan Larmour
Squad members not playing:
Bundee Aki (Suspended), Jack Carty, Andrew Conway, Sean Cronin, Chris Farrell, Jean Kleyn, Jordi Murphy & John Ryan.
So that is my 323rd blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 63rd of this year.
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Joe Moody (Crusaders/Canterbury)
2 (Hooker): Codie Taylor (Crusaders/Canterbury)
3 (Tight head prop): Nepo Laulala (Chiefs/Counties Manukau)
SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Brodie Retallick (Chiefs/Hawke's Bay)
5 (Lock): Sam Whitelock (Crusaders/Canterbury)
BACK ROW
6 (Blind side flanker): Ardie Savea (Hurricanes/Wellington)
7 (Open side flanker): Sam Cane (Chiefs/Bay Of Plenty)
8 (Number 8): Kieran Read (Captain, Crusaders/Counties Manukau)
HALVES
9 (Half-back): Aaron Smith (Highlanders/Manawatu)
10 (First five-eighth): Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders/Canterbury)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth): Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs/Waikato)
13 (Centre): Jack Goodhue (Crusaders/Northland)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): George Bridge (Crusaders/Canterbury)
14 (Right wing): Sevu Reece (Crusaders/Waikato)
& 15 (Fullback): Beauden Barrett (Blues/Taranaki)
And in the reserves are:
16. Dane Coles
17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
18. Angus Ta'avao
19. Scott Barrett (Who has dropped to the bench to replace Patrick Tuipulotu)
20. Matt Todd
21. TJ Perenara (Who replaces Brad Weber to cover at halfback)
22. Sonny Bill Williams (Who returns to the bench to cover the second five position)
& 23. Jordie Barrett (Who is dropped to the bench to replace Ben Smith)
Squad members not playing:
Liam Coltman, Ryan Crotty, Shannon Frizell, Rieko Ioane, Atu Moli, Ben Smith, Patrick Tuipulotu & Brad Weber.
And Ireland have named their team as well as their strongest possible lineup when they take to the field against the All Blacks:
PLAYING XV
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Cian Healy (Leinster)
2 (Hooker): Rory Best (Captain, Ulster)
3 (Tight head prop): Tadhg Furlong (Leinster)
SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Iain Henderson (Ulster)
5 (Lock): James Ryan (Leinster)
BACK ROW
6 (Blind side flanker): Peter O'Mahony (Munster)
7 (Open side flanker): Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
8 (Number 8): CJ Stander (Munster)
HALVES
9 (Half-back/Scrum-half): Conor Murray (Munster)
10 (First five-eighth/Fly-half): Jonathan Sexton (Leinster)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth/Inside centre): Robbie Henshaw (Leinster)
13 (Centre/Outside centre): Gary Ringrose (Leinster)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)
14 (Right wing): Keith Earls (Munster)
& 15 (Fullback): Rob Kearney (Leinster)
And in the reserves are:
16. Niall Scannell
17. David Kilcoyne
18. Andrew Porter
19. Tadhg Beirne
20. Rhys Ruddock
21. Luke McGrath
22. Joey Carbery
& 23. Jordan Larmour
Squad members not playing:
Bundee Aki (Suspended), Jack Carty, Andrew Conway, Sean Cronin, Chris Farrell, Jean Kleyn, Jordi Murphy & John Ryan.
So that is my 323rd blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 63rd of this year.
2019 Mitre 10 Cup round 10 review (+ Premiership & Championship semi final preview)
Well, here is the review of the 10th round of the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup season:
A thrilling final round of games saw Tasman complete an unbeaten season in the Mitre 10 Premiership, Canterbury retain the Ranfurly Shield with an injury time try and Manawatu thrash Counties Manukau to gain a Championship semifinal berth.
That's a first by Tasman since 2007 and a demonstration of how significant their form has been throughout the campaign. They will host Auckland in Blenheim. Canterbury made a poor start but showed the expected tenacity to secure a playoffs berth against Wellington who came home strong against Waikato.
In the Championship, Bay of Plenty finished two points clear of Hawke's Bay to secure top spot and will host Manawatu while Hawke's Bay will host Otago.
Mitre 10 Cup, Semi Finals confirmation:
Friday 18th, 7.35pm – Bay of Plenty v Manawatu (Rotorua)
Saturday 19th, 2.05pm – Tasman v Auckland (Blenheim)
Saturday 19th, 4.35pm – Hawke’s Bay v Otago
Saturday 19th, 7.05pm – Wellington v Canterbury
Round 10 Results:
Southland 12 Bay of Plenty 22
Going to the break 12-5 up Southland had good reward having scored two tries to one in a difficult breeze in Invercargill. But once again it was the visitors who showed the greater stamina to produce three second half tries, two close-quarter efforts and the third on the end of a backline movement for Emoni Narawa to cross. Home hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate's nose for a try showed out again as Southland ended the season with a win to their credit and the emergence of quality talent like second five-eighths Raymond Nu'u. But it was all credit to Bay of Plenty who are hotly contesting the right to promotion to the Premiership.
Scorers: Southland 12 (Matthew James, Greg Pleasants-Tate tries; Marty McKenzie con) Bay of Plenty 22 (Mitch Karpik, Emoni Narawa, Te Aihe Toma, Tom Franklin tries; Toma con). HT: 12-5
Taranaki 11 Auckland 35
It took into the second half before Auckland could make a significant impression on the scoreboard after Taranaki enjoyed a halftime lead thanks to hooker Ricky Riccitelli's try on the end of a big home team maul. But when Auckland struck they did by utilising some outstanding handling skills in midfield before flanker Adrian Choat capped a good movement with a try. Taranaki were not able to take advantage of flanker Dalton Papalii's sin-binning and when first five-eighths Harry Plummer landed a 52m penalty goal, Auckland gained valuable breathing space for the last 10 minutes of the game. Papalii did have the final say, picking off a blindside kick by home first five-eighths Stephen Perofeta and bursting ahead before passing on to Salesi Rayasi who finished off the try. They still had time to claim a four-try bonus point when Jordan Trainor scored in injury time.
Scorers: Taranaki 11 (Ricky Riccitelli try; Stephen Perofeta 2 pen) Auckland 35 (Dalton Papalii, Adrian Choat, Salesi Rayasi, Jordan Trainor tries; Harry Plummer con, 3 pen; Daniel Kirkpatrick 2 con). HT: 11-8
Hawke's Bay 28 Tasman 47
Alex Nankivell cut some merry capers in the Tasman midfield to cause all manner of problems for the home team. Their failure to prevent him playing the ball after being tackled open up a fine try for Sione Havili. But then he was on the end of a head high tackle, and yellow card for Richard Kelly, but from the penalty Leicester Faingaanuku was fed an inside ball to score. Then Tima Faingaanuku showed his power to get over in the right corner. Midway through the second half Nankivell then demonstrated his individual skills on a 50m dart to the line. Mitch Hunt had reward for initiating a move and then staying in support to pick up an inside pass. It was typical Tasman play. But if Nankivell was the man for Tasman No 8 Devan Flankers was dynamic for the home side, scoring a try and setting up another.
Scorers: Hawke's Bay 28 (Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Devan Flanders, Caleb Makene, Jason Long tries; Tiaan Falcon 3 con; Lincoln McClutchie con) Tasman 47 (Leicester Faingaanuku 2, Sione Havili, Tima Faingaanuku, Mitch Hunt, Alex Nankivell, Hugh Roach tries; Hunt 4 con; David Havili 2 con). HT: 14-19
Manawatu 33 Counties Manukau 17
It might not have been the best of seasons for Manawatu but they finished strongly to claim a semifinal berth in the Championship while Counties Manukau were sent packing in relegation. If there is a better catch made from a crosskick to score then flanker Johnny Galloway will be a leading candidate for his superb try. Second five-eighths Ngani Laumape scored another of his specials, a chip ahead and regather, but then had the ignominy of seeing a simple clearing kick three minutes into first half injury time, charged down and the easiest of tries for Liam Fitzsimons. Daymon Leasuasu repeated the dose from another charge down in the second half. First five-eighths Otere Black had his own moment of skill when running a lovely line to score the opening try of the game.
Scorers: Manawatu 33 (Otere Black, Ngani Laumape, Johnny Galloway, Samu Tawake, Ben Werthmuller tries; Black 4 con) Counties Manukau 17 (Liam Fitzsimons, Daymon Leasuasu, Rodney Tongotea tries; Orbyn Leger con). HT: 26-5
Wellington 39 Waikato 21
Wellington second five-eighths Pepesana Patafilo cut a fast and merry swathe through Waikato's backline to set up hooker Asafo Aumua's first of two tries and then later in the second half he put the foot down again to create an opening and after cutting back inside he slipped the ball for halfback Kemara Hauiti-Parapara to finish things off. Add in similarly spectacular tries from outside backs Vince Aso and Billy Proctor and Wellington are looking in great shape for the playoffs. Waikato came home some well constructed tries of their own especially to Baily Sullivan and Louis Rogers.
Scorers: Wellington 39 (Asafo Aumua 2, Vince Aso, Billy Proctor, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 4 con, 2 pen) Waikato 21 (Samisoni Taukei'aho, Bailyn Sullivan, Louis Rogers tries; Fletcher Smith 3 con). HT: 25-7
Northland 40 Otago 10
Northland left it until the very last but they avoided the Championship wooden spoon, handing it back to Southland as a result of their 40-10 swamping of Otago. The southerners demonstrated the Ranfurly Shield blues that often afflict sides after losing the prized trophy and there was little of the customary fight from Otago in Whangarei on Sunday. Otago face a big job picking themselves up for next weekend's playoffs while for Northland it is back to the drawing board.
Scorers: Northland 40 (Jordan Hyland 2, Scott Gregory 2, Aorangi Stokes, Matt Matich tries; Jack Debreczeni 5 con) Otago 10 (Henry Purdy, Josh Timu tries). HT: 26-7
Canterbury 31 North Harbour 25
The last game of the season, with the added attraction of being the final Ranfurly Shield challenge had fans nervous as North Harbour claimed the lead for the first time in the game, only nine minutes from the end. North Harbour, down 5-17 at the turn, kept chipping back throughout the second half. And looked set for a big upset when Lewis Gjaltema scored. However, two minutes into injury time Harry Allan scored a match winner which saw the Shield stay in Christchurch for the summer, while also ending North Harbour's playoff hopes.
Scorers: Canterbury 31 (Braydon Ennor, Josh McKay 2, Harry Allan tries; Brett Cameron 4 con, pen) North Harbour 25 (Osea Qamasea, Mark Telea 2, Lewis Gjaltema tries; Bryn Hall con, pen). HT: 17-5
So that is my 322nd blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 62nd of this year.
A thrilling final round of games saw Tasman complete an unbeaten season in the Mitre 10 Premiership, Canterbury retain the Ranfurly Shield with an injury time try and Manawatu thrash Counties Manukau to gain a Championship semifinal berth.
That's a first by Tasman since 2007 and a demonstration of how significant their form has been throughout the campaign. They will host Auckland in Blenheim. Canterbury made a poor start but showed the expected tenacity to secure a playoffs berth against Wellington who came home strong against Waikato.
In the Championship, Bay of Plenty finished two points clear of Hawke's Bay to secure top spot and will host Manawatu while Hawke's Bay will host Otago.
Mitre 10 Cup, Semi Finals confirmation:
Friday 18th, 7.35pm – Bay of Plenty v Manawatu (Rotorua)
Saturday 19th, 2.05pm – Tasman v Auckland (Blenheim)
Saturday 19th, 4.35pm – Hawke’s Bay v Otago
Saturday 19th, 7.05pm – Wellington v Canterbury
Round 10 Results:
Southland 12 Bay of Plenty 22
Going to the break 12-5 up Southland had good reward having scored two tries to one in a difficult breeze in Invercargill. But once again it was the visitors who showed the greater stamina to produce three second half tries, two close-quarter efforts and the third on the end of a backline movement for Emoni Narawa to cross. Home hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate's nose for a try showed out again as Southland ended the season with a win to their credit and the emergence of quality talent like second five-eighths Raymond Nu'u. But it was all credit to Bay of Plenty who are hotly contesting the right to promotion to the Premiership.
Scorers: Southland 12 (Matthew James, Greg Pleasants-Tate tries; Marty McKenzie con) Bay of Plenty 22 (Mitch Karpik, Emoni Narawa, Te Aihe Toma, Tom Franklin tries; Toma con). HT: 12-5
Taranaki 11 Auckland 35
It took into the second half before Auckland could make a significant impression on the scoreboard after Taranaki enjoyed a halftime lead thanks to hooker Ricky Riccitelli's try on the end of a big home team maul. But when Auckland struck they did by utilising some outstanding handling skills in midfield before flanker Adrian Choat capped a good movement with a try. Taranaki were not able to take advantage of flanker Dalton Papalii's sin-binning and when first five-eighths Harry Plummer landed a 52m penalty goal, Auckland gained valuable breathing space for the last 10 minutes of the game. Papalii did have the final say, picking off a blindside kick by home first five-eighths Stephen Perofeta and bursting ahead before passing on to Salesi Rayasi who finished off the try. They still had time to claim a four-try bonus point when Jordan Trainor scored in injury time.
Scorers: Taranaki 11 (Ricky Riccitelli try; Stephen Perofeta 2 pen) Auckland 35 (Dalton Papalii, Adrian Choat, Salesi Rayasi, Jordan Trainor tries; Harry Plummer con, 3 pen; Daniel Kirkpatrick 2 con). HT: 11-8
Hawke's Bay 28 Tasman 47
Alex Nankivell cut some merry capers in the Tasman midfield to cause all manner of problems for the home team. Their failure to prevent him playing the ball after being tackled open up a fine try for Sione Havili. But then he was on the end of a head high tackle, and yellow card for Richard Kelly, but from the penalty Leicester Faingaanuku was fed an inside ball to score. Then Tima Faingaanuku showed his power to get over in the right corner. Midway through the second half Nankivell then demonstrated his individual skills on a 50m dart to the line. Mitch Hunt had reward for initiating a move and then staying in support to pick up an inside pass. It was typical Tasman play. But if Nankivell was the man for Tasman No 8 Devan Flankers was dynamic for the home side, scoring a try and setting up another.
Scorers: Hawke's Bay 28 (Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Devan Flanders, Caleb Makene, Jason Long tries; Tiaan Falcon 3 con; Lincoln McClutchie con) Tasman 47 (Leicester Faingaanuku 2, Sione Havili, Tima Faingaanuku, Mitch Hunt, Alex Nankivell, Hugh Roach tries; Hunt 4 con; David Havili 2 con). HT: 14-19
Manawatu 33 Counties Manukau 17
It might not have been the best of seasons for Manawatu but they finished strongly to claim a semifinal berth in the Championship while Counties Manukau were sent packing in relegation. If there is a better catch made from a crosskick to score then flanker Johnny Galloway will be a leading candidate for his superb try. Second five-eighths Ngani Laumape scored another of his specials, a chip ahead and regather, but then had the ignominy of seeing a simple clearing kick three minutes into first half injury time, charged down and the easiest of tries for Liam Fitzsimons. Daymon Leasuasu repeated the dose from another charge down in the second half. First five-eighths Otere Black had his own moment of skill when running a lovely line to score the opening try of the game.
Scorers: Manawatu 33 (Otere Black, Ngani Laumape, Johnny Galloway, Samu Tawake, Ben Werthmuller tries; Black 4 con) Counties Manukau 17 (Liam Fitzsimons, Daymon Leasuasu, Rodney Tongotea tries; Orbyn Leger con). HT: 26-5
Wellington 39 Waikato 21
Wellington second five-eighths Pepesana Patafilo cut a fast and merry swathe through Waikato's backline to set up hooker Asafo Aumua's first of two tries and then later in the second half he put the foot down again to create an opening and after cutting back inside he slipped the ball for halfback Kemara Hauiti-Parapara to finish things off. Add in similarly spectacular tries from outside backs Vince Aso and Billy Proctor and Wellington are looking in great shape for the playoffs. Waikato came home some well constructed tries of their own especially to Baily Sullivan and Louis Rogers.
Scorers: Wellington 39 (Asafo Aumua 2, Vince Aso, Billy Proctor, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 4 con, 2 pen) Waikato 21 (Samisoni Taukei'aho, Bailyn Sullivan, Louis Rogers tries; Fletcher Smith 3 con). HT: 25-7
Northland 40 Otago 10
Northland left it until the very last but they avoided the Championship wooden spoon, handing it back to Southland as a result of their 40-10 swamping of Otago. The southerners demonstrated the Ranfurly Shield blues that often afflict sides after losing the prized trophy and there was little of the customary fight from Otago in Whangarei on Sunday. Otago face a big job picking themselves up for next weekend's playoffs while for Northland it is back to the drawing board.
Scorers: Northland 40 (Jordan Hyland 2, Scott Gregory 2, Aorangi Stokes, Matt Matich tries; Jack Debreczeni 5 con) Otago 10 (Henry Purdy, Josh Timu tries). HT: 26-7
Canterbury 31 North Harbour 25
The last game of the season, with the added attraction of being the final Ranfurly Shield challenge had fans nervous as North Harbour claimed the lead for the first time in the game, only nine minutes from the end. North Harbour, down 5-17 at the turn, kept chipping back throughout the second half. And looked set for a big upset when Lewis Gjaltema scored. However, two minutes into injury time Harry Allan scored a match winner which saw the Shield stay in Christchurch for the summer, while also ending North Harbour's playoff hopes.
Scorers: Canterbury 31 (Braydon Ennor, Josh McKay 2, Harry Allan tries; Brett Cameron 4 con, pen) North Harbour 25 (Osea Qamasea, Mark Telea 2, Lewis Gjaltema tries; Bryn Hall con, pen). HT: 17-5
So that is my 322nd blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 62nd of this year.
Monday, 14 October 2019
2019 Rugby World Cup Japan report (Part 5)
Well, news just come in during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan as 14 man Ireland advance to the quarterfinals after their immense win against Samoa before the match between Canada & Namibia had to be eventually cancelled due to typhoon Hagibis (That's the 3rd time that the tournament organisers had to call the match off along with England/France & New Zealand/Italy) then Wales top Pool D with a resounding victory against Uruguay while Japan topple Scotland (Dubbed as the best match of the 2019 Rugby World Cup) in the 3rd biggest boil over of the 2019 tournament to qualify for their 1st ever Rugby World Cup quarterfinal appearance.
And here is the confirmed list for quarterfinal matches being played (Well, not only these high octane quarterfinal matches are going to be epic indeed, so yeah definitely):
England Vs Australia (The last time both of these sides had met at a Rugby World Cup was during the pool stages in 2015 in which the Wallabies knocked previous hosts England (Who didn't get out of their pool (Well, that was their worst result ever at a Rugby World Cup) after losing to Wales & Australia as I mentioned before) out of the Rugby World Cup (Well I thought Wallaby first five Bernard Foley was the top performer of that game but it went to English lock/second rower Joe Launchbury)
New Zealand Vs Ireland (Their most recent meeting at a Rugby World Cup was a long time ago in 1995 during the pool stages in which the late All Black star winger Jonah Lomu (Who was just a young 20 year old (And what is his occupation? Well he was working as a bank officer at ASB Bank) way back then a year after making his test debut at 19 (He was the youngest AB ever) against France at the old Lancaster Park in Christchurch) who got a double by scoring his 1st 2 test tries)
Wales Vs France (Their only clash at a Rugby World Cup was at a semifinal in 2011 (The winner would face the All Blacks in the final in which we finally claimed victory against our trans Tasman rivals the Wallabies in the other semifinal) in which Welsh captain Sam Warburton who had been shown the red card by Irish referee Alain Rolland for that famous spear/tip tackle on French winger Vincent Clerc which will always be remembered therefore handing France the victory against a 14 man Wales by a single point (The final score was 9 - 8) & hadn't even scored a single try in the match (Mike Phillips scored a late try but the conversion had been missed by Welsh reserve first five Stephen Jones who had just come onto the field for James Hook who had a wretched night as a goal kicker)
And Japan Vs South Africa (And also their only meeting between the 2 sides at a Rugby World Cup was in 2015 during the pool stages in which New Zealand born Japanese player Karne Hesketh who went in for the kill & scored the match winning try (Well to start with after the full 80 minutes had been up (And the Springboks had their prop forward Coenie Oosthuizen in the sin bin & were down to 14 men), they opted for the scrum (After French referee Jerome Garces had given Japan a scrum penalty) to win the game rather than a penalty goal for the draw which was actually a good idea, & they liked it of course) to seal the deal & claim the biggest boil over in Rugby World Cup history (Well, I remember that game (And Pops told me that the Japanese men were getting emotional about the victory) because it was known as the miracle on Brighton)
So that is my 321st blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 61st of this year.
P.S. And here are my top 5 Rugby World Cup moments:
5: Sam Warburton's red card against France during the semifinal in 2011
4: The late Jonah Lomu running over the top of Mike Catt also during the semifinal in 1995
3: Japan's glorious upset win against the Springboks in 2015
2: The All Blacks winning the 2011 Rugby World Cup against France in the final (Including Stephen 'Beaver' Donald's match winning penalty to win our 2nd Rugby World Cup title & our 1st in 24 years) on home soil
& 1: The AB's winning the 2015 Rugby World Cup against the Wallabies in the final (Including Beauden 'Beaudy' Barrett's try that sealed the deal to clinch our 2nd Rugby World Cup title in a row & our 1st to win 3 Rugby World Cups) on foreign soil
And here is the confirmed list for quarterfinal matches being played (Well, not only these high octane quarterfinal matches are going to be epic indeed, so yeah definitely):
England Vs Australia (The last time both of these sides had met at a Rugby World Cup was during the pool stages in 2015 in which the Wallabies knocked previous hosts England (Who didn't get out of their pool (Well, that was their worst result ever at a Rugby World Cup) after losing to Wales & Australia as I mentioned before) out of the Rugby World Cup (Well I thought Wallaby first five Bernard Foley was the top performer of that game but it went to English lock/second rower Joe Launchbury)
New Zealand Vs Ireland (Their most recent meeting at a Rugby World Cup was a long time ago in 1995 during the pool stages in which the late All Black star winger Jonah Lomu (Who was just a young 20 year old (And what is his occupation? Well he was working as a bank officer at ASB Bank) way back then a year after making his test debut at 19 (He was the youngest AB ever) against France at the old Lancaster Park in Christchurch) who got a double by scoring his 1st 2 test tries)
Wales Vs France (Their only clash at a Rugby World Cup was at a semifinal in 2011 (The winner would face the All Blacks in the final in which we finally claimed victory against our trans Tasman rivals the Wallabies in the other semifinal) in which Welsh captain Sam Warburton who had been shown the red card by Irish referee Alain Rolland for that famous spear/tip tackle on French winger Vincent Clerc which will always be remembered therefore handing France the victory against a 14 man Wales by a single point (The final score was 9 - 8) & hadn't even scored a single try in the match (Mike Phillips scored a late try but the conversion had been missed by Welsh reserve first five Stephen Jones who had just come onto the field for James Hook who had a wretched night as a goal kicker)
And Japan Vs South Africa (And also their only meeting between the 2 sides at a Rugby World Cup was in 2015 during the pool stages in which New Zealand born Japanese player Karne Hesketh who went in for the kill & scored the match winning try (Well to start with after the full 80 minutes had been up (And the Springboks had their prop forward Coenie Oosthuizen in the sin bin & were down to 14 men), they opted for the scrum (After French referee Jerome Garces had given Japan a scrum penalty) to win the game rather than a penalty goal for the draw which was actually a good idea, & they liked it of course) to seal the deal & claim the biggest boil over in Rugby World Cup history (Well, I remember that game (And Pops told me that the Japanese men were getting emotional about the victory) because it was known as the miracle on Brighton)
So that is my 321st blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 61st of this year.
P.S. And here are my top 5 Rugby World Cup moments:
5: Sam Warburton's red card against France during the semifinal in 2011
4: The late Jonah Lomu running over the top of Mike Catt also during the semifinal in 1995
3: Japan's glorious upset win against the Springboks in 2015
2: The All Blacks winning the 2011 Rugby World Cup against France in the final (Including Stephen 'Beaver' Donald's match winning penalty to win our 2nd Rugby World Cup title & our 1st in 24 years) on home soil
& 1: The AB's winning the 2015 Rugby World Cup against the Wallabies in the final (Including Beauden 'Beaudy' Barrett's try that sealed the deal to clinch our 2nd Rugby World Cup title in a row & our 1st to win 3 Rugby World Cups) on foreign soil
Saturday, 12 October 2019
2019 Rugby World Cup Japan report (Part 4)
Well, the All Blacks go 3 from 3 in Pool B in the 2019 Rugby World Cup by stamping their authority against Namibia at Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo 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 Namibia.
5:45 PM: The haka is over and we are moments away from kick off!
1ST MINUTE: Kickoff here in Tokyo!
PENALTY GOAL: Namibia enjoy a short spell with the ball and they go forward, great couple of tackles from Brodie, Namibia win the penalty. They kick for three and it's good. All Blacks 0 - 3 Namibia.
4TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: First scrum of the game go to the All Blacks after a Namibia knock on.
7TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION MISS: A great cross field kick from Jordie Barrett and he finds an open Sevu Reece who scores the opening try. Kick is wide. All Blacks 5 - 3 Namibia
9TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Link play is very good from the All Blacks locks, Retallick involved early on.
10TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty won from Cane at the breakdown for holding on/not releasing ball, Smith takes the early tap and kicks it out with a grubber.
11TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): All Blacks starting to enjoy more time on the ball as they all take turns at running.
12TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Great work at the breakdown, Aaron Smith stands there in confusion and Namibia will kick down field.
13TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Great running from the Namibian backs, they go close through Johan Deysel before the All Blacks win a penalty.
15TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Knock on from Sam Cane after he was put into a hole from Lienert-Brown.
16TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Against the feed and the All Blacks' scrum dominates! They win the ball and spread it wide but Goodhue puts the ball on the toe and grubbers it out.
17TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): A boot to the head after the box kick for Brodie Retallick he looks to be okay.
18TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty won at the breakdown from Namibia, ALB getting trapped with the ball.
20TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Superb offload from Frizell and the All Blacks are on attack at half time.
21ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION MISS: What a saucy offload from Savea, great inside ball and Anton Lienert-Brown does well to score. Kick is charged down!! All Blacks 10 - 3 Namibia.
24TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY GOAL: Penalty won by Namibia after Cane was called offside, Namibia look pretty good when they can keep ball in hand. They kick for the three. It's good! All Blacks 10 - 6 Namibia.
27TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Namibia go close again after the ball spill out of the ruck and JC Greyling sprints down the wing, Ben Smith makes the tackle and the ball goes out off him.
29TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY GOAL: Another penalty won by Namibia and they surely take the three again. It's good. All Blacks 10 - 9 Namibia.
31ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TMO CALL: Looking upstairs at a high tackle on Laulala.
YELLOW CARD: Yellow card is the call, an arm to the head - it was very low, but Laulala will spend 10 minutes in the bin.
32ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Knock on from Namibia off the lineout - Brodie Retallick has gone off the field - he gets 30 minutes.
33RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Knock on from Aaron Smith and Namibia have the ball going forward!
34TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Great kick chase from Codie Taylor, he wins a lineout for the All Blacks after Bridge's kick.
35TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Penalty advantage and the All Blacks are 10m out.
36TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Really nice attack from the All Blacks, they go six or so phases before the replacement Angus Ta'avao scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 17 - 9 Namibia.
38TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Knock on called against Namibia and the All Blacks have a scrum feed.
39TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): So bad from Aaron Smith, off the scrum he opts for the kick, it's out on the full...
40TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): A goggleless Savea makes as the gong goes.
41ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty won by the All Blacks, they opt for the scrum.
HALF TIME
41ST MINUTE: Welcome back, we are underway for the second half.
42ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Off the scrum, Goodhue and Tuipulotu go close before
TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Wave after wave of attack from the All Blacks, Joe Moody gathers the ball and scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 31 - 9 Namibia.
44TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): All Blacks look to ease back into normality here, showing their class.
45TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Intercept from Namibia, the ref seems to have missed a few forward passes here as Barrett takes a nice catch off the high ball.
47TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Barrett makes the initial break and does well to stay composed and find Goodhue who passes to ALB and he has two tries. Kick is good. All Blacks 38 - 9 Namibia.
50TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): All Blacks break through Goodhue and it's ALB who is at the forefront again.
PENALTY: Massive at the breakdown from Ardie Savea and he wins the penalty.
51ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Coles and Weber are on Smith and Taylor off.
52ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Well done from the Kiwis, it's deliberate - they go right to Reece who beats three defenders to score. Kick is good. All Blacks 45 - 9 Namibia.
54TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): What a kick from Barrett, from deep in his own 22 he kicks into the Namibian 22.
56TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: they pick and go and drive for more tries. The captain scores. Sam Whitelock is over. Kick is good. All Blacks 52- 9 Namibia.
59TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Great defensive work from Cane, he forces a knock on and the All Blacks win a scrum.
61ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM & SUBSTITUTION: Knock on called against the All Blacks, Todd and Ioane come on for Savea and Goodhue.
62ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty won by Namibia at the lineout.
64TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): A great period of attack again from Namibia - they're throwing everything the All Blacks' way.
65TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Turnover won from Coles, the All Blacks are on attack now.
67TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Perenara is on the field now, he goes to first five. Jordie to fullback, Ben Smith to the wing.
68TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Todd makes a lovely break, he finds ALB who passes to Ben Smith who scores his second. Kick is good. All Blacks 59 - 9 Namibia.
70TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Nice work from Perenara but Frizell can't hang on - Namibia with the ball now.
72ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Another mini break from Helarius Axasman Kisting and Namibia are 25m out.
73RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), YELLOW CARD: Another yellow card for the All Blacks, for the same reason, a high tackle to the head. Ofa Tuungafasi the man binned now.
75TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Great work at the breakdown from Jordie - turning the ball over and the All Blacks clear.
76TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: They spin the ball right then go left, Weber passes to Perenara who finds Barrett with a lovely offload and Jordie scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 66 - 9 Namibia.
78TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Jordie Barrett or Anton Lienert-Brown for man of the match.
79TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION MISS: Perenara!! One of the best tries you will ever see. Perenara makes the first break before a magical offload, they get the ball back and Weber makes a dart down the wing before a sensational behind the back flick to Perenara who scores in the corner!! Magical. Kick is wide. All Blacks 71 - 9 Namibia.
80TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): ALB has been named Man of the match.
81ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: A knock on from the All Blacks ends the game, what a cracker of a final 60 from the All Blacks.
ALL BLACKS 71 - 9 NAMIBIA
NEW ZEALAND 71 (Reece 2, Lienert-Brown 2, B Smith 2, Ta'avao, Moody, Whitelock & J Barrett, Perenara tries; Barrett 8 conversions)
NAMIBIA 9 (Stephens three penalties)
And France ran out as winners against Tonga (It was revenge after 2011 after Tonga beat them in Wellington) then South Africa was able to demolish Canada into pieces before Argentina had a win against the United States then Scotland thrash the hopeless Russians into bits before Fiji were no match against Wales in convincing fashion (Fiji had both men yellow carded then Wales copped the same as both players had been sent to the sin bin) followed by Australia who had to smash Georgia by piling them in last night.
So that is my 320th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 60th of this year.
P.S. And just a quick reminder that both the All Blacks Vs Italy game as well as the top of the pool clash between England & France has been cancelled because of the typhoon which is happening in Japan today but the Ireland/Samoa clash has been given the go ahead tonight.
Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's coverage of the Rugby World Cup match between the All Blacks and Namibia.
5:45 PM: The haka is over and we are moments away from kick off!
1ST MINUTE: Kickoff here in Tokyo!
PENALTY GOAL: Namibia enjoy a short spell with the ball and they go forward, great couple of tackles from Brodie, Namibia win the penalty. They kick for three and it's good. All Blacks 0 - 3 Namibia.
4TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: First scrum of the game go to the All Blacks after a Namibia knock on.
7TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION MISS: A great cross field kick from Jordie Barrett and he finds an open Sevu Reece who scores the opening try. Kick is wide. All Blacks 5 - 3 Namibia
9TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Link play is very good from the All Blacks locks, Retallick involved early on.
10TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty won from Cane at the breakdown for holding on/not releasing ball, Smith takes the early tap and kicks it out with a grubber.
11TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): All Blacks starting to enjoy more time on the ball as they all take turns at running.
12TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Great work at the breakdown, Aaron Smith stands there in confusion and Namibia will kick down field.
13TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Great running from the Namibian backs, they go close through Johan Deysel before the All Blacks win a penalty.
15TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Knock on from Sam Cane after he was put into a hole from Lienert-Brown.
16TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Against the feed and the All Blacks' scrum dominates! They win the ball and spread it wide but Goodhue puts the ball on the toe and grubbers it out.
17TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): A boot to the head after the box kick for Brodie Retallick he looks to be okay.
18TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty won at the breakdown from Namibia, ALB getting trapped with the ball.
20TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Superb offload from Frizell and the All Blacks are on attack at half time.
21ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION MISS: What a saucy offload from Savea, great inside ball and Anton Lienert-Brown does well to score. Kick is charged down!! All Blacks 10 - 3 Namibia.
24TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY GOAL: Penalty won by Namibia after Cane was called offside, Namibia look pretty good when they can keep ball in hand. They kick for the three. It's good! All Blacks 10 - 6 Namibia.
27TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Namibia go close again after the ball spill out of the ruck and JC Greyling sprints down the wing, Ben Smith makes the tackle and the ball goes out off him.
29TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY GOAL: Another penalty won by Namibia and they surely take the three again. It's good. All Blacks 10 - 9 Namibia.
31ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TMO CALL: Looking upstairs at a high tackle on Laulala.
YELLOW CARD: Yellow card is the call, an arm to the head - it was very low, but Laulala will spend 10 minutes in the bin.
32ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Knock on from Namibia off the lineout - Brodie Retallick has gone off the field - he gets 30 minutes.
33RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Knock on from Aaron Smith and Namibia have the ball going forward!
34TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Great kick chase from Codie Taylor, he wins a lineout for the All Blacks after Bridge's kick.
35TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Penalty advantage and the All Blacks are 10m out.
36TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Really nice attack from the All Blacks, they go six or so phases before the replacement Angus Ta'avao scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 17 - 9 Namibia.
38TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Knock on called against Namibia and the All Blacks have a scrum feed.
39TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): So bad from Aaron Smith, off the scrum he opts for the kick, it's out on the full...
40TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): A goggleless Savea makes as the gong goes.
41ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty won by the All Blacks, they opt for the scrum.
HALF TIME
41ST MINUTE: Welcome back, we are underway for the second half.
42ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Off the scrum, Goodhue and Tuipulotu go close before
TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Wave after wave of attack from the All Blacks, Joe Moody gathers the ball and scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 31 - 9 Namibia.
44TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): All Blacks look to ease back into normality here, showing their class.
45TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Intercept from Namibia, the ref seems to have missed a few forward passes here as Barrett takes a nice catch off the high ball.
47TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Barrett makes the initial break and does well to stay composed and find Goodhue who passes to ALB and he has two tries. Kick is good. All Blacks 38 - 9 Namibia.
50TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): All Blacks break through Goodhue and it's ALB who is at the forefront again.
PENALTY: Massive at the breakdown from Ardie Savea and he wins the penalty.
51ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Coles and Weber are on Smith and Taylor off.
52ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Well done from the Kiwis, it's deliberate - they go right to Reece who beats three defenders to score. Kick is good. All Blacks 45 - 9 Namibia.
54TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): What a kick from Barrett, from deep in his own 22 he kicks into the Namibian 22.
56TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: they pick and go and drive for more tries. The captain scores. Sam Whitelock is over. Kick is good. All Blacks 52- 9 Namibia.
59TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Great defensive work from Cane, he forces a knock on and the All Blacks win a scrum.
61ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM & SUBSTITUTION: Knock on called against the All Blacks, Todd and Ioane come on for Savea and Goodhue.
62ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty won by Namibia at the lineout.
64TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): A great period of attack again from Namibia - they're throwing everything the All Blacks' way.
65TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Turnover won from Coles, the All Blacks are on attack now.
67TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Perenara is on the field now, he goes to first five. Jordie to fullback, Ben Smith to the wing.
68TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Todd makes a lovely break, he finds ALB who passes to Ben Smith who scores his second. Kick is good. All Blacks 59 - 9 Namibia.
70TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Nice work from Perenara but Frizell can't hang on - Namibia with the ball now.
72ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Another mini break from Helarius Axasman Kisting and Namibia are 25m out.
73RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), YELLOW CARD: Another yellow card for the All Blacks, for the same reason, a high tackle to the head. Ofa Tuungafasi the man binned now.
75TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Great work at the breakdown from Jordie - turning the ball over and the All Blacks clear.
76TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: They spin the ball right then go left, Weber passes to Perenara who finds Barrett with a lovely offload and Jordie scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 66 - 9 Namibia.
78TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Jordie Barrett or Anton Lienert-Brown for man of the match.
79TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION MISS: Perenara!! One of the best tries you will ever see. Perenara makes the first break before a magical offload, they get the ball back and Weber makes a dart down the wing before a sensational behind the back flick to Perenara who scores in the corner!! Magical. Kick is wide. All Blacks 71 - 9 Namibia.
80TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): ALB has been named Man of the match.
81ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: A knock on from the All Blacks ends the game, what a cracker of a final 60 from the All Blacks.
ALL BLACKS 71 - 9 NAMIBIA
NEW ZEALAND 71 (Reece 2, Lienert-Brown 2, B Smith 2, Ta'avao, Moody, Whitelock & J Barrett, Perenara tries; Barrett 8 conversions)
NAMIBIA 9 (Stephens three penalties)
And France ran out as winners against Tonga (It was revenge after 2011 after Tonga beat them in Wellington) then South Africa was able to demolish Canada into pieces before Argentina had a win against the United States then Scotland thrash the hopeless Russians into bits before Fiji were no match against Wales in convincing fashion (Fiji had both men yellow carded then Wales copped the same as both players had been sent to the sin bin) followed by Australia who had to smash Georgia by piling them in last night.
So that is my 320th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 60th of this year.
P.S. And just a quick reminder that both the All Blacks Vs Italy game as well as the top of the pool clash between England & France has been cancelled because of the typhoon which is happening in Japan today but the Ireland/Samoa clash has been given the go ahead tonight.
2019 Mitre 10 Cup round 9 review
Well, here is the review of the 9th round of the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup season:
Not only did Canterbury regain the Ranfurly Shield, on the back of a record-equalling 16th successful challenge, they slipped right back into playoffs contention in the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership with a comfortable hold on third place with one week of the competition remaining.
The side they share the Shield challenge record with, Auckland, also kept themselves in the hunt for the playoffs when beating Southland 64-7.
Auckland's fate will depend on it beating Taranaki in New Plymouth. Success would leave it waiting until the last game of regular season play when fourth-placed North Harbour travel to Christchurch for the final Ranfurly Shield challenge of the season. It will require North Harbour to lift the Shield to deny Auckland.
In the Championship section all the interest will be on the two bays, Hawke's Bay and Bay of Plenty, who continue to dominate, Hawke's Bay extending Counties Manukau's relegation pains with a 22-10 win while Bay of Plenty dealt to Manawatu 46-10. Third-placed Otago are 11 points off second place.
Mitre 10 Cup – Week 9
Counties Manukau 10 Hawke's Bay 22
It's not rocket science but Hawke's Bay used their forward power to take the game to Counties Manukau in Pukekohe. They established a solid scoring base, with hooker Ash Dixon touching down again, held out the best home efforts and then in the final quarter sat back and watched Tiaan Falcon mark his return for an injury break that has extended since Super Rugby with a penalty goal landed from within his own half and then a run from inside his own 22m which split the defence and created a chance for halfback Fotau Fakatava to run in the try that sealed the outcome for the Bay.
Scorers: Counties Manukau 10 (Jonathan Kawau try; Orbyn Leger con, pen) Hawke's Bay 22 (Tom Parsons, Ash Dixon, Fotau Fakatava tries; Lincoln McClutchie con; Tiaan Falcon con, pen). HT: 3-12
North Harbour 42 Wellington 34
Home halfback Bryn Hall demonstrated all the rugby education he has had with the Crusaders when unleashing a dominant display for North Harbour in a first half display which shattered Wellington at Albany. A flick pass for the first try for prop Karl Tu'inukuafe, a well-placed kick for wing Matt Duffie to run onto to score, another kick which Duffie couldn't grab but which fell to Hall following up and North Harbour were out to an unlikely 32-8 halftime lead. Wellington came back, with Vince Aso especially dangerous, but a second try, taken from a quick tap by Duffie just after the break spelled the difference.
Scorers: North Harbour 42 (Karl Tu'inukuafe, Shaun Stevenson, Matt Duffie 2, Harrison Groundwater, Bryn Hall tries; Matt McGahan 3 con pen; Stevenson pen) Wellington 34 (James Blackwell, Vince Aso, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Sitiveni Paongo, Wes Goosen tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 3 con, pen). HT: 32-8
Bay of Plenty 46 Manawatu 10
Running the ball wide as often as possible Bay of Plenty spread Manawatu's defence with telling effect and represented on the scored by three tries to left wing Joe Ravouvou while on the right wing Emoni Narawa scored one and set up another in similar moves. And when Manawatu eyes were diverted livewire halfback Richard Judd looked up from a 22m line ruck, saw a gap and raced in for a try beneath the posts and it was left for Jason Robertson to snare a Manawatu in-pass to run in the seventh try.
Scorers: Bay of Plenty 46 (Joe Ravouvou 3, Kurt Eklund, Emoni Narawa, Richard Judd, Jason Robertson tries; Kaleb Trask con, pen; Robertson 3 con) Manawatu 10 (Jamie Booth try; Otere Black con, Andre Taylor pen). HT: 15-3
Auckland 64 Southland 7
Only one Southland team has ever won on Eden Park and given recent history it was unlikely to change on Saturday. Auckland, having had a frustrating season, were in the mood to make amends and to keep their playoffs hopes alive. They managed that when running in 10 tries to a solitary southern response. It was an impressive display of hard running which saw Caleb Clarke showing his wares with two tries on the right wing while the support play throughout was typified by halfback Danny Tusitala also scoring two tries.
Scorers: Auckland 64 (Caleb Clarke 2, Dalton Papalii 2, Danny Tusitala 2, Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa, Salesi Rayasi, TJ Faiane, Jonathan Ruru tries; Harry Plummer 7 con) Southland 7 (Greg Pleasants-Tate try; Marty McKenzie con). HT: 24-0
Otago 25 Canterbury 35
Among the many virtues of modern Canterbury rugby is the knowledge of what it takes to win the Ranfurly Shield, and that was laid bare at Otago's cost in Dunedin. It is usually the challenger who is required to take the risks but so well did Canterbury start in the game, that it was Otago who had to play catch up and in the process conceding two intercept tries to speedster Josh McKay and Tim Bateman while pulling one back themselves through Adam Thomson. Up 13-6 at the turn, Canterbury immediately pounced for halfback Mitchell Drummond to highlight the support play they enjoyed by scoring. Otago responded but ran out of time.
Scorers: Otago 25 (Sio Tomkinson, Adam Thomson, Jona Nareki tries; Josh Ioane 2 con, 2 pen) Canterbury 35 (Josh McKay, Mitchell Drummond, Sam Gilbert, Tim Bateman tries; Brett Cameron 3 con, 3 pen). HT: 6-13
Tasman 52 Northland 6
Fullback Will Jordan revelled in the superb spring conditions to put his speed to use in scoring two tries, one of them nearly the length of the field from a Northland turnover, while another break gave midfielder Jamie Spowart the easiest of runs in. When Jordan wasn't cutting loose the Tasman pack was showing their skills in driving, mauling play of the highest quality to deny Northland all but one try in a romp in Nelson on Sunday. Taking his chance as a replacement mid-fielder Tim O'Malley who showed his own ability on the break when selling a dummy to open a gap and speeding through it to score.
Scorers: Tasman 52 (Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Will Jordan 2, Sione Havili, Jamie Spowart, Tim O'Malley, Wyatt Crockett, Taina Fox-Matamua tries; Mitchell Hunt 6 con) Northland 6 (Jack Debreczeni 2 pen). HT: 19-6
Waikato 38 Taranaki 19
Waikato had too much power and combination for a Taranaki side which is by no means certain of a Championship playoffs place after their loss. Taranaki are two points clear of Manawatu but are hosting a tough opponent in Auckland in the final round while Manawatu will sense a chance of snaffling a win over Counties Manukau who can't avoid relegation, when they play in Palmerston North. Waikato are not out of playoffs contention either, albeit dependent on their beating Wellington and both Auckland and North Harbour losing.
Scorers: Waikato 38 (Solomon Alaimalo 2, Declan O'Donnell, Samisona Taukei'aho, Quinn Tupaea, James Tucker tries; Fletcher Smith 4 con) Taranaki 19 (Teihorangi Walden, Sean Wainui, Pita Sowakula tries; Stephen Perofeta 2 con). HT: 19-12
So that is my 319th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 59th of this year.
Not only did Canterbury regain the Ranfurly Shield, on the back of a record-equalling 16th successful challenge, they slipped right back into playoffs contention in the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership with a comfortable hold on third place with one week of the competition remaining.
The side they share the Shield challenge record with, Auckland, also kept themselves in the hunt for the playoffs when beating Southland 64-7.
Auckland's fate will depend on it beating Taranaki in New Plymouth. Success would leave it waiting until the last game of regular season play when fourth-placed North Harbour travel to Christchurch for the final Ranfurly Shield challenge of the season. It will require North Harbour to lift the Shield to deny Auckland.
In the Championship section all the interest will be on the two bays, Hawke's Bay and Bay of Plenty, who continue to dominate, Hawke's Bay extending Counties Manukau's relegation pains with a 22-10 win while Bay of Plenty dealt to Manawatu 46-10. Third-placed Otago are 11 points off second place.
Mitre 10 Cup – Week 9
Counties Manukau 10 Hawke's Bay 22
It's not rocket science but Hawke's Bay used their forward power to take the game to Counties Manukau in Pukekohe. They established a solid scoring base, with hooker Ash Dixon touching down again, held out the best home efforts and then in the final quarter sat back and watched Tiaan Falcon mark his return for an injury break that has extended since Super Rugby with a penalty goal landed from within his own half and then a run from inside his own 22m which split the defence and created a chance for halfback Fotau Fakatava to run in the try that sealed the outcome for the Bay.
Scorers: Counties Manukau 10 (Jonathan Kawau try; Orbyn Leger con, pen) Hawke's Bay 22 (Tom Parsons, Ash Dixon, Fotau Fakatava tries; Lincoln McClutchie con; Tiaan Falcon con, pen). HT: 3-12
North Harbour 42 Wellington 34
Home halfback Bryn Hall demonstrated all the rugby education he has had with the Crusaders when unleashing a dominant display for North Harbour in a first half display which shattered Wellington at Albany. A flick pass for the first try for prop Karl Tu'inukuafe, a well-placed kick for wing Matt Duffie to run onto to score, another kick which Duffie couldn't grab but which fell to Hall following up and North Harbour were out to an unlikely 32-8 halftime lead. Wellington came back, with Vince Aso especially dangerous, but a second try, taken from a quick tap by Duffie just after the break spelled the difference.
Scorers: North Harbour 42 (Karl Tu'inukuafe, Shaun Stevenson, Matt Duffie 2, Harrison Groundwater, Bryn Hall tries; Matt McGahan 3 con pen; Stevenson pen) Wellington 34 (James Blackwell, Vince Aso, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Sitiveni Paongo, Wes Goosen tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 3 con, pen). HT: 32-8
Bay of Plenty 46 Manawatu 10
Running the ball wide as often as possible Bay of Plenty spread Manawatu's defence with telling effect and represented on the scored by three tries to left wing Joe Ravouvou while on the right wing Emoni Narawa scored one and set up another in similar moves. And when Manawatu eyes were diverted livewire halfback Richard Judd looked up from a 22m line ruck, saw a gap and raced in for a try beneath the posts and it was left for Jason Robertson to snare a Manawatu in-pass to run in the seventh try.
Scorers: Bay of Plenty 46 (Joe Ravouvou 3, Kurt Eklund, Emoni Narawa, Richard Judd, Jason Robertson tries; Kaleb Trask con, pen; Robertson 3 con) Manawatu 10 (Jamie Booth try; Otere Black con, Andre Taylor pen). HT: 15-3
Auckland 64 Southland 7
Only one Southland team has ever won on Eden Park and given recent history it was unlikely to change on Saturday. Auckland, having had a frustrating season, were in the mood to make amends and to keep their playoffs hopes alive. They managed that when running in 10 tries to a solitary southern response. It was an impressive display of hard running which saw Caleb Clarke showing his wares with two tries on the right wing while the support play throughout was typified by halfback Danny Tusitala also scoring two tries.
Scorers: Auckland 64 (Caleb Clarke 2, Dalton Papalii 2, Danny Tusitala 2, Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa, Salesi Rayasi, TJ Faiane, Jonathan Ruru tries; Harry Plummer 7 con) Southland 7 (Greg Pleasants-Tate try; Marty McKenzie con). HT: 24-0
Otago 25 Canterbury 35
Among the many virtues of modern Canterbury rugby is the knowledge of what it takes to win the Ranfurly Shield, and that was laid bare at Otago's cost in Dunedin. It is usually the challenger who is required to take the risks but so well did Canterbury start in the game, that it was Otago who had to play catch up and in the process conceding two intercept tries to speedster Josh McKay and Tim Bateman while pulling one back themselves through Adam Thomson. Up 13-6 at the turn, Canterbury immediately pounced for halfback Mitchell Drummond to highlight the support play they enjoyed by scoring. Otago responded but ran out of time.
Scorers: Otago 25 (Sio Tomkinson, Adam Thomson, Jona Nareki tries; Josh Ioane 2 con, 2 pen) Canterbury 35 (Josh McKay, Mitchell Drummond, Sam Gilbert, Tim Bateman tries; Brett Cameron 3 con, 3 pen). HT: 6-13
Tasman 52 Northland 6
Fullback Will Jordan revelled in the superb spring conditions to put his speed to use in scoring two tries, one of them nearly the length of the field from a Northland turnover, while another break gave midfielder Jamie Spowart the easiest of runs in. When Jordan wasn't cutting loose the Tasman pack was showing their skills in driving, mauling play of the highest quality to deny Northland all but one try in a romp in Nelson on Sunday. Taking his chance as a replacement mid-fielder Tim O'Malley who showed his own ability on the break when selling a dummy to open a gap and speeding through it to score.
Scorers: Tasman 52 (Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Will Jordan 2, Sione Havili, Jamie Spowart, Tim O'Malley, Wyatt Crockett, Taina Fox-Matamua tries; Mitchell Hunt 6 con) Northland 6 (Jack Debreczeni 2 pen). HT: 19-6
Waikato 38 Taranaki 19
Waikato had too much power and combination for a Taranaki side which is by no means certain of a Championship playoffs place after their loss. Taranaki are two points clear of Manawatu but are hosting a tough opponent in Auckland in the final round while Manawatu will sense a chance of snaffling a win over Counties Manukau who can't avoid relegation, when they play in Palmerston North. Waikato are not out of playoffs contention either, albeit dependent on their beating Wellington and both Auckland and North Harbour losing.
Scorers: Waikato 38 (Solomon Alaimalo 2, Declan O'Donnell, Samisona Taukei'aho, Quinn Tupaea, James Tucker tries; Fletcher Smith 4 con) Taranaki 19 (Teihorangi Walden, Sean Wainui, Pita Sowakula tries; Stephen Perofeta 2 con). HT: 19-12
So that is my 319th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 59th of this year.
Saturday, 5 October 2019
2019 Rugby World Cup Japan report (Part 3) + All Blacks team naming against Namibia (2019 Rugby World Cup)
Well, news just come in during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan as France 1st who prevailed over the United States 33 - 9 in Fukuoka then the All Blacks have demolished Canada with a fantastic 4 try bonus point victory by 63 points (That's the 2nd time that New Zealand have kept the opposition scoreless this year (It was against the Wallabies during the 2nd Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park) & at a Rugby World Cup (It was also against Scotland during the 2007 Rugby World Cup) in Oita with live updates being provided by Newshub:
Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's coverage of the Rugby World Cup clash between the All Blacks and Canada from Oita Stadium.
Teams:
All Blacks: 1-Atu Moli 2-Liam Coltman, 3-Angus Ta'avao, 4-Patrick Tuipulotu, 5-Scott Barrett, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Matt Todd, 8-Kieran Read (c), 9-TJ Perenara, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-Rieko Ioane, 12-Sonny Bill Williams, 13-Jack Goodhue, 14-Jordie Barrett, 15-Beauden Barrett
Reserves: 16-Codie Taylor, 17-Ofa Tuungafasi, 18-Nepo Laulala, 19-Sam Whitelock, 20-Ardie Savea, 21-Brad Weber, 22-Ryan Crotty, 23-Ben Smith
Canada: 1-Djustice Sears-Duru, 2-Eric Howard, 3-Cole Keith, 4-Evan Olmstead, 5-Conor Keys, 6-Lucas Rumball, 7-Matt Heaton, 8-Tyler Ardron, 9-Gordon McRorie, 10-Peter Nelson, 11-DTH Van Der Merwe, 12-Ciaran Hearn, 13-Conor Trainor, 14-Jeff Hassler, 15-Patrick Parfey
Reserves: 16-Andrew Quattrin, 17-Hubert Buydens, 18-Jake Ilnicki, 19-Michael Sheppard, 20-Josh Larsen, 21-Phil Mack, 22-Taylor Paris, 23-Andrew Coe
11:08 PM: Both sides coming out now and the crowd is LOUD! Lots of cheering and you can imagine who the majority of it is for.
11:12 PM: The New Zealand anthem is done and now it's time for Canada then the haka.
11:15 PM: Haka is over and we are moments away now!
28TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Canada make a kick in behind and Mo'unga clears. Good chance here for Canada. Lineout.
30TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Ioane drops the ball in contact and Canada have the ball.
SCRUM: Double knock on called and New Zealand win the scrum, a little sloppy from the men in black.
32ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: So close from Scott Barrett, he makes a great run to break the line but his dive technique forces the ball forward and knocks the ball over the line. Canada scrum.
33RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), FREE KICK (SHORT ARM PENALTY): Free kick won by Canada at scrum time, they will clear.
34TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Stone cold knock on from Tuipulotu, a little bit sloppy from the Kiwis the last couple of minutes.
36TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Huge scrum from the All Blacks and they will kick for touch.
TRY ALL BLACKS: Perfect execution off the lineout and SBW puts a grubber through and Beauden Barrett gets onto it, and scores. Lovely! Kick is good. All Blacks 28-0 Canada.
40TH MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): Update of that first try, it was a penalty try, not Kieran Read.
Half time, All Blacks in complete control.
The All Blacks won't be happy with the final 20 minutes there, lots of handling errors, already more then the whole South Africa game.
Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's coverage of the Rugby World Cup clash between the All Blacks and Canada from Oita Stadium.
Teams:
All Blacks: 1-Atu Moli 2-Liam Coltman, 3-Angus Ta'avao, 4-Patrick Tuipulotu, 5-Scott Barrett, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Matt Todd, 8-Kieran Read (c), 9-TJ Perenara, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-Rieko Ioane, 12-Sonny Bill Williams, 13-Jack Goodhue, 14-Jordie Barrett, 15-Beauden Barrett
Reserves: 16-Codie Taylor, 17-Ofa Tuungafasi, 18-Nepo Laulala, 19-Sam Whitelock, 20-Ardie Savea, 21-Brad Weber, 22-Ryan Crotty, 23-Ben Smith
Canada: 1-Djustice Sears-Duru, 2-Eric Howard, 3-Cole Keith, 4-Evan Olmstead, 5-Conor Keys, 6-Lucas Rumball, 7-Matt Heaton, 8-Tyler Ardron, 9-Gordon McRorie, 10-Peter Nelson, 11-DTH Van Der Merwe, 12-Ciaran Hearn, 13-Conor Trainor, 14-Jeff Hassler, 15-Patrick Parfey
Reserves: 16-Andrew Quattrin, 17-Hubert Buydens, 18-Jake Ilnicki, 19-Michael Sheppard, 20-Josh Larsen, 21-Phil Mack, 22-Taylor Paris, 23-Andrew Coe
11:08 PM: Both sides coming out now and the crowd is LOUD! Lots of cheering and you can imagine who the majority of it is for.
11:12 PM: The New Zealand anthem is done and now it's time for Canada then the haka.
11:15 PM: Haka is over and we are moments away now!
1ST MINUTE: Kick off here in Oita.
SCRUM: Nice start here from the All Blacks, they spin the ball left then work the ball right, Perenara makes a mini break and Kieran Read is held up over the line. Big start - 5m scrum.
5TH MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: From the scrum and it's domination from the Kiwis, they drive straight over and Kieran Read scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 7 - 0 Canada.
7TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Line break after line break from the All Blacks before Canada turn the ball over and start an attack - but Read wins a penalty at the breakdown for not releasing ball (Holding on).
9TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Super simple from the All Blacks, they spin the ball left and Canada shift all the defenders that way, Mo'unga then uses the cross field kick to find Jordie Barrett who is open and scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 14 - 0 Canada
11TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Offside against Canada and the All Blacks win a penalty. Great start so far.
12TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Canada win the lineout and are on attack in the NZ half.
14TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Close again for the All Blacks, lots of running from the Kiwis and they shift the ball to the right, Jordie beats one but two defenders tackle him out before the offload comes, Canada lineout.
Canada gather off the lineout and clear.
15TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): TJ Perenara with a superb dive over the ruck and he goes close out wide, brilliant build up from Frizell and SBW, but the ball is just short of the line. Canada lineout.
17TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Lovely try from SBW, he throws a dummy that beats one defender and is just too strong for the other two defenders, he scores the Kiwis third try. Kick is good. All Blacks 21 - 0 Canada
20TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Everyone and their dog in the All Blacks side wants to run the ball with a massive intensity here, a forward pass from Todd is called. Canada scrum.
22ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Lovely play from everyone in the All Blacks but Gordon McRorie makes the intercept and finds Peter Nelson who nearly scores, Beauden tackles him just short.
24TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Penalty won by Canada after Read is called for a no arms tackle (Well, you have got to use your arms in a tackle like that).
25TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Great work from as he gets the maul called and the All Blacks win the scrum.
26TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty won at scrum time (At least there was a scrum penalty) and Mo'unga will kick for touch.
SUBSTITUTION: Angus Ta'avao is coming off the park, replaced by Nepo Laulala, a bit early.. not too sure why.
27TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Ioane finally gets the ball, he makes a little dart down the left but looks for an offload, trying to do too much there.
7TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Line break after line break from the All Blacks before Canada turn the ball over and start an attack - but Read wins a penalty at the breakdown for not releasing ball (Holding on).
9TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Super simple from the All Blacks, they spin the ball left and Canada shift all the defenders that way, Mo'unga then uses the cross field kick to find Jordie Barrett who is open and scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 14 - 0 Canada
11TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Offside against Canada and the All Blacks win a penalty. Great start so far.
12TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Canada win the lineout and are on attack in the NZ half.
14TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Close again for the All Blacks, lots of running from the Kiwis and they shift the ball to the right, Jordie beats one but two defenders tackle him out before the offload comes, Canada lineout.
Canada gather off the lineout and clear.
15TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): TJ Perenara with a superb dive over the ruck and he goes close out wide, brilliant build up from Frizell and SBW, but the ball is just short of the line. Canada lineout.
17TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Lovely try from SBW, he throws a dummy that beats one defender and is just too strong for the other two defenders, he scores the Kiwis third try. Kick is good. All Blacks 21 - 0 Canada
20TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Everyone and their dog in the All Blacks side wants to run the ball with a massive intensity here, a forward pass from Todd is called. Canada scrum.
22ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Lovely play from everyone in the All Blacks but Gordon McRorie makes the intercept and finds Peter Nelson who nearly scores, Beauden tackles him just short.
24TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Penalty won by Canada after Read is called for a no arms tackle (Well, you have got to use your arms in a tackle like that).
25TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Great work from as he gets the maul called and the All Blacks win the scrum.
26TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Penalty won at scrum time (At least there was a scrum penalty) and Mo'unga will kick for touch.
SUBSTITUTION: Angus Ta'avao is coming off the park, replaced by Nepo Laulala, a bit early.. not too sure why.
27TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Ioane finally gets the ball, he makes a little dart down the left but looks for an offload, trying to do too much there.
28TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Canada make a kick in behind and Mo'unga clears. Good chance here for Canada. Lineout.
30TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Ioane drops the ball in contact and Canada have the ball.
SCRUM: Double knock on called and New Zealand win the scrum, a little sloppy from the men in black.
32ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: So close from Scott Barrett, he makes a great run to break the line but his dive technique forces the ball forward and knocks the ball over the line. Canada scrum.
33RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), FREE KICK (SHORT ARM PENALTY): Free kick won by Canada at scrum time, they will clear.
34TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Stone cold knock on from Tuipulotu, a little bit sloppy from the Kiwis the last couple of minutes.
36TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Huge scrum from the All Blacks and they will kick for touch.
TRY ALL BLACKS: Perfect execution off the lineout and SBW puts a grubber through and Beauden Barrett gets onto it, and scores. Lovely! Kick is good. All Blacks 28-0 Canada.
40TH MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): Update of that first try, it was a penalty try, not Kieran Read.
Half time, All Blacks in complete control.
The All Blacks won't be happy with the final 20 minutes there, lots of handling errors, already more then the whole South Africa game.
41ST MINUTE: Back underway for the second half, Crotty is on for Goodhue and Weber on for Perenara.
TRY ALL BLACKS: Try of the night, Jordie takes a great catch to keep the ball in the Kiwis hands, hands go left and SBW breaks the break, he finds Ioane who gets the much-needed try. Kick is good. All Blacks 35 - 0 Canada
44TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): The ball is back in the All Blacks' hands and they are just 22m out.
45TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Mo'unga makes a break and finds a superb offload to find Read who gives the ball to Scott Barrett who scores. Kick is good. All Blacks 42 - 0 Canada.
46TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Offside from Canadian captain Ardron and the All Blacks win a penalty and will kick for touch.
47TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: From the scrum, Ioane does well to finds Frizell who breezes over to score. Kick is good. All Blacks 49-0 Canada.
49TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): A rare kick from the All Blacks and Canada have the ball.
50TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Mo'unga takes a speccy and spins the ball to Beauden who uses his gas to split the defence and set up Weber for another try. Kick is good. All Blacks 56-0 Canada.
53RD MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Knock on from All Blacks and Canada win a scrum feed.
55TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: A penalty now for Canada and they will move the ball up the field.
56TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): NZ win the lineout and Mo'unga clears, as do Canada, All Blacks lineout.
57TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Simply outstanding from Jordie, Mo'unga and Weber who combine to set the halfback through for his second try of the night - perfect execution. Kick is good. All Blacks 63-0 Canada.
60TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Penalty won by the All Blacks, against Ardron again - they kick for touch.
61ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Another knock on from Tuipulotu, stone cold drop once again.
62ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Quick defence from the All Blacks put Canada under pressure and give them the penalty, they take the quick tap.
64TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Jordie loses the ball but the ball is kicked back to Beauden. All Blacks on attack again - knock on from Ioane.
65TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: A double knock on and the All Blacks will have the scrum feed.
66TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Mo'unga tries to find Ioane for an offload but it goes forward.
68TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): A little chip in behind from Canada but the bounce goes out - All Blacks ball.
69TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Another scrum as Canada knock the ball on.
70TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Savea is on, rocking the new spectacles
71ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The All Blacks go to the blind side and Weber is almost in for a hat-trick but the pass is behind him and he knocks it on.
73RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Head collision at the tackle between Savea and Taylor Paris, Paris is getting some medical attention now.
75TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Another kick from Canada and the All Blacks set up another attack. Penalty won for Canada.
78TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Penalty to Canada and they will attempt to get some points on the board.
80TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Knock on from Savea there.
81ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Knock on! Beauden Barrett goes nearly the length of the park but knocks the ball on randomly... maybe he was too tired?
Full time.
Canada completely outclassed here in Oita, All Blacks were far too good.
New Zealand 63 (J Barrett, Williams, B Barrett, Ioane, S Barrett, Frizell, Weber 2 tries, penalty try; Mo'unga 8 conversions)
Canada 0
And a day later, both Fiji & Ireland return to winning ways beating both Georgia & Russia respectively then South Africa have ended Italy's hopes of reaching their 1st quarterfinal (The Italian duo have been suspended for 3 weeks (Both had been cited by the citing commissioner/citing officer for lifting tackles (1 had to be red carded while the other hadn't been sent off) followed by Australia who continued their dominance against Uruguay (Including that streaker was held by Japanese authorities) then England remain unbeaten in Pool C when they were too good against the 14 man Argentina then hosts Japan ran away with a win, continuing their dominance against Samoa to remain unbeaten in Pool A.
So that is my 318th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 58th of this year.
P.S. And the AB's have named their side to play against Namibia at Tokyo Stadium today so here is the starting lineup in it's entirety:
PLAYING XV
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Joe Moody (Crusaders/Canterbury)
2 (Hooker): Codie Taylor (Crusaders/Canterbury)
3 (Tight head prop): Nepo Laulala (Chiefs/Counties Manukau)
SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Brodie Retallick (Chiefs/Hawke's Bay)
5 (Lock): Sam Whitelock (Captain, Crusaders/Canterbury)
BACK ROW
6 (Blind side flanker): Shannon Frizell (Highlanders/Tasman)
7 (Open side flanker): Sam Cane (Chiefs/Bay Of Plenty)
8 (Number 8): Ardie Savea (Hurricanes/Wellington)
HALVES
9 (Half-back): Aaron Smith (Highlanders/Manawatu)
10 (First five-eighth): Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes/Taranaki)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth): Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs/Waikato)
13 (Centre): Jack Goodhue (Crusaders/Northland)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): George Bridge (Crusaders/Canterbury)
14 (Right wing): Sevu Reece (Crusaders/Waikato)
& 15 (Fullback): Ben Smith (Highlanders/Otago)
And in the reserves are:
16. Dane Coles (Who comes back to the side with Codie Taylor elevated to the starting lineup to replace Liam Coltman)
17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
18. Angus Ta'avao (Who is dropped to the bench with Nepo Laulala promoted to the starting lineup)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (Who is also dropped to the bench to replace Sam Whitelock with Whitelock elevated to the starting lineup to captain the side at the number 5 lock position)
20. Matt Todd (Who is dropped to the bench with Ardie Savea promoted to the starting lineup to replace skipper Kieran Read to play at number 8)
21. Brad Weber
22. TJ Perenara (Who is also dropped to the bench, replacing Ryan Crotty to cover the first five position)
& 23. Rieko Ioane (Who is dropped to the bench to replace Ben Smith who is elevated to the starting lineup to play at fullback as well as replacing Beauden Barrett who has been rested)
Squad members not playing:
Beauden Barrett, Scott Barrett, Liam Coltman, Ryan Crotty, Richie Mo'unga, Atu Moli, Kieran Read & Sonny Bill Williams.
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Joe Moody (Crusaders/Canterbury)
2 (Hooker): Codie Taylor (Crusaders/Canterbury)
3 (Tight head prop): Nepo Laulala (Chiefs/Counties Manukau)
SECOND ROW
4 (Lock): Brodie Retallick (Chiefs/Hawke's Bay)
5 (Lock): Sam Whitelock (Captain, Crusaders/Canterbury)
BACK ROW
6 (Blind side flanker): Shannon Frizell (Highlanders/Tasman)
7 (Open side flanker): Sam Cane (Chiefs/Bay Of Plenty)
8 (Number 8): Ardie Savea (Hurricanes/Wellington)
HALVES
9 (Half-back): Aaron Smith (Highlanders/Manawatu)
10 (First five-eighth): Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes/Taranaki)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth): Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs/Waikato)
13 (Centre): Jack Goodhue (Crusaders/Northland)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): George Bridge (Crusaders/Canterbury)
14 (Right wing): Sevu Reece (Crusaders/Waikato)
& 15 (Fullback): Ben Smith (Highlanders/Otago)
And in the reserves are:
16. Dane Coles (Who comes back to the side with Codie Taylor elevated to the starting lineup to replace Liam Coltman)
17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
18. Angus Ta'avao (Who is dropped to the bench with Nepo Laulala promoted to the starting lineup)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (Who is also dropped to the bench to replace Sam Whitelock with Whitelock elevated to the starting lineup to captain the side at the number 5 lock position)
20. Matt Todd (Who is dropped to the bench with Ardie Savea promoted to the starting lineup to replace skipper Kieran Read to play at number 8)
21. Brad Weber
22. TJ Perenara (Who is also dropped to the bench, replacing Ryan Crotty to cover the first five position)
& 23. Rieko Ioane (Who is dropped to the bench to replace Ben Smith who is elevated to the starting lineup to play at fullback as well as replacing Beauden Barrett who has been rested)
Squad members not playing:
Beauden Barrett, Scott Barrett, Liam Coltman, Ryan Crotty, Richie Mo'unga, Atu Moli, Kieran Read & Sonny Bill Williams.
Tuesday, 1 October 2019
2019 Rugby World Cup Japan report (Part 2)
Well, news just come in during the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan as Samoa (Despite both players being sent to the sin bin for 2 head high tackles on Russian captain Vasily Artemyev) have eased past Russia in Kumagaya City then the 1st major boil over at the Rugby World Cup has happened as Uruguay produced a stunning upset win over Fiji at Kamaishi City before Italy were too good against Canada in Fukuoka City then England dismantle the 14 man United States (Although they had to lose a man for the rest of the match because of an illegal shoulder charge straight to the head on English skipper Owen Farrell) in Kobe City before a hat trick scored by hooker Julian Montoya set Argentina up for a wonderful victory against Tonga at Higashi-Osaka City then another biggest boil over at the Rugby World Cup again had happened as hosts Japan came away with another upset victory against Ireland (I mean, why did the Irish leave out their main play maker Johnny Sexton like that? Because he was either injured or being dropped to the bench allowing Jack Carty to start at 10) at the Shizuoka Prefecture before South Africa (Fresh from their 10 point defeat against New Zealand) demolished Namibia at Toyota City then Uruguay (Fresh from their upset win against Fiji) were no match against Georgia in Kumagaya City then Wales finally had a win after 32 long years at the Rugby World Cup against Australia in Tokyo despite some dodgy refereeing calls made (Including Wallaby player Samu Kerevi had bumped Rhys Patchell off illegally & Gareth Davies scoring a try off an intercept despite being offside) & finally, Scotland (Fresh from their loss against Ireland) have won by 34 points against the 14 man Samoa (Who had their player yellow carded for a side entry near the try line (The referee had no choice but to award the penalty try to Scotland) & had been red carded after being yellow carded for the 2nd & subsequent time for dropping his knees to the body of Sean Maitland (It was a penalty try again for Scotland) in Kobe City.
So that is my 317th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 57th of this year.
So that is my 317th blog of the year 2019 (MMXIX) & my 57th of this year.
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