Well, the Aaron 'Nuggy Nugget'' Smith led All Blacks continue their dominance with a thumping against Fiji who had found a competitive edge (And I mean the Fijian loose forwards were dynamic when they made the difference when Pops told me about it before Dane Coles (The man always known as Colesy) had to come on in the 2nd half) compared to Tonga in the 1st test at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin with Coles being the top performer scoring 4 tries after coming on from the bench to replace Codie Taylor during the 2nd half (And I mean what a difference he is but Coles is nearing the end of his career & the other try scorers for the AB's were David 'Davey Dave' Havili (Despite being sin binned during the 2nd half after conceding a penalty try) getting a double as well as Jordie Barrett, George 'Bridgey' Bridge & reserve All Black back Will Jordan (Who doesn't have a formal nickname so I refer to him as Willy J) while the try scorers for the Fijians were Albert Tuisue, Mesu Kunavula & a penalty try) but there were 2 yellow cards in the match, one to Fijian fullback Kini Murimurivalu for going straight off his feet & the other to All Black second five & dual try scorer David Havili for deliberately pulling down (Collapsing) a maul in the act of stopping a try being scored by Fiji, resulting in a penalty try so here's the match commentary provided by Newshub:
Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's live updates of the first test between the All Blacks and Fiji from Dunedin's Forsyth Barr Stadium.
After a thorough 102 - 0 victory over Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium, the All Blacks will hope for more of a contest against Fiji.
Brodie Retallick is back in black for the first time since the 2019 World Cup, while Aaron Smith takes the role of All Blacks captain for the first time in his career.
Beauden Barrett is also given a run in the No.10 jersey, while Ethan de Groot has the chance to make his test debut off the bench.
Fiji meanwhile are without some of their best players, missing halfbacks Frank Lomani and Moses Sorovi and first-five Teti Tela. However, Kiwi fans will at least recognize the likes of first-five Ben Volavola and winger Nemani Nadolo after their time playing in New Zealand.
These two sides last met all the way back in 2011, with the All Blacks winning 60 - 14 in Dunedin.
6:40PM: A very good evening to you all! We're all ready to go for a cracker here tonight, with conditions (predictably) perfect under the roof in Dunedin.
Kick off's just under half an hour away - stay tuned!
6:57PM: Fiji are the first side out onto the park, led by captain Levani Botia.
A huge cheer goes up for the visitors, with a healthy amount of Fiji supporters in attendance.
And an even bigger cheer goes up for the All Blacks - led out by Aaron Smith on his Highlanders home ground!
6:58PM: We'll have the anthems, followed by the pre-match challenges (The haka vs Fiji's cibi) and then it's all on!
7:00PM: A few tears among the Fijian side as they sing their anthem. It's never in doubt how much playing a test against the All Blacks means.
7:04PM: Pre-match challenges all done, kick-off just moments away!
KICK OFF: Beauden Barrett gets us going under the roof!
2ND MINUTE: Murimurivalu fields the kick, before Fiji go back to Volavola who clears.
PENALTY: The Barrett brothers combine before Beauden returns fire. Kurivoli is taken out and Fiji have the first penalty of the night.
3RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): But Volavola's kick doesn't go out! Havili and Volavola trade kicks before Beauden Barrett makes a run.
The All Blacks look to use the ball, short of the 22. Tuipulotu runs close before Jordie Barrett tries a crossfield kick!
Reece kicks it through on the volley - but can't catch up with it before it goes dead!
4TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Jordie Barrett kicks to Volavola who calls for the mark. Fiji kick it to Beauden Barrett, who returns fire.
Fiji go back to Kuruvoli, who kicks into touch.
6TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), FIJI PENALTY: The All Blacks go quickly, but Fiji turn the ball over and win a penalty.
Volavola points to the posts, and Fiji will have a shot at goal.
He slots it between the uprights and Fiji draw first blood! (FIJI 3 NZ 0)
8TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Volavola kicks into touch and we will have the first lineout of the night.
PENALTY: Taylor throws, and the All Blacks bring it down and run. Ioane makes a burst, as does Tuipulotu before Fiji give away advantage. Leaving feet the call (Off feet), Botia the culprit.
Barrett finds the corner and the All Blacks will attack from their lineout.
9TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Taylor throws, Retallick wins it and the All Blacks drive.
Smith goes off the back, and the All Blacks go throught the hands to send Jordie Barrett over for the first try of the night! Great hands in the build up from Beauden Barrett and David Havili. (NZ 5 FIJI 3)
10TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION: Beauden Barrett has the kicking duties, this one from relatively right in front, and he gets it. (NZ 7 FIJI 3)
13TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Advantage Fiji as Tuipulotu knocks on from the kick-off. No advantage to be played, so we'll have the first scrum of the night. There's a 10kg advantage to the All Blacks in the forwards
Kuruvoli feeds, and Fiji run off the back. Advantage to Fiji again.
PENALTY: They look to go wide before Murimurivalu cuts back inside and runs inside the 22. But Fiji lose the ball and we'll go back for the penalty.
Do Fiji want more points?
14TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), FIJI PENALTY: They do. Volavola lines up his second kick of the night, this one from in front, but outside the 22.
And he's got this one too! Fiji cut the lead to just a point! (NZ 7 FIJI 6)
16TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Fiji regain possession inside their own half after intercepting a Havili pass. They kick to Jordie Barrett, who kicks back but into touch.
Fiji lineout, 10m inside the All Blacks half. They win the lineout but the delivery to Kuruvoli is poor and the All Blacks get it back.
Beauden Barrett kicks back and Fiji can't hang on! Sotutu passes wide to Reece's win as the All Blacks have advantage.
PENALTY: They go wide to the left, but we'll go back for the penalty. Do they want the points or the lineout?
18TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Smith wants the lineout, and the All Blacks will have one in the right hand corner.
Taylor throws, Frizell wins it as Sotutu wraps with Smith on the blindside.
Advantage All Blacks as Taylor is tackled on the right wing. The All Blacks' forwards use the ball, before they go to the backs.
Beauden Barrett to Havili, who cuts back inside to score against the post!
CONVERSION: The conversion is good from Beauden Barrett. (NZ 14 FIJI 6)
20TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The All Blacks win the kick off as Jordie Barrett and Reece combine down the right! The All Blacks run the ball into Fiji's half, but the ball is taken into touch. Fiji lineout.
PENALTY: They restart, but Blackadder turns the ball over!
22ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: All Blacks lineout, Taylor throws, Tuipulotu wins it and they go for the lineout.
The All Blacks go through the hands, before Havili slips right through the Fiji defence and scores under the posts!
CONVERSION: Beauden Barrett converts from right in front. (NZ 21 FIJI 6)
24TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Volavola kicks off, and Tuipulotu knocks on again. Great chance for Fiji to hit back from a scrum.
Kuruvoli feeds and Botia runs as first receiver. Fiji continue to attack the line, but play is stopped for a huge cut to Beauden Barrett's brow.
Out, he's copped some friendly fire from Brodie Retallick's boot.
SUBSTITUTION: Damian McKenzie comes on as a blood bin replacement.
25TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): We'll restart with a Fiji scrum inside the All Blacks' 22.
PENALTY: Kuruvoli feeds, but he can't get the ball out before the All Blacks' front row wins a penalty.
Harsh call against Fiji as McKenzie clears for an All Blacks lineout.
27TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Sotutu loses the ball and Volavola throws a huge pass out to the right wing! The All Blacks are all offside as Fiji attack.
Fiji break through Sau and run at the line,they're so close! They go wide, but can't hang on through the hands!
PENALTY: We'll go back for the offside against the All Blacks though.
28TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY FIJI: Volavola kicks for the corner, and Fiji will have a lineout.
Matavesi throws, and Fiji look for the drive. Matavesi has it at the back - before he gets it to Tuisue and he scores! Great play from the Fijian forwards.
CONVERSION MISS: Volavola lines up the conversion from the left-hand side - but he hits the post. (NZ 21 FIJI 11)
31ST MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): All Blacks scrum on Fiji's 22. Smith feeds, and goes off the back to McKenzie.
PENALTY: McKenzie wraps Havili before he's smashed by Botia! Fiji win a penalty too!
Fiji are here to play!
33RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Fiji lineout, Matavesi throws before Volavola clears to Jordie Barrett.
Kuruvoli fields the kick and returns fire to McKenzie. Laulala runs at Fiji, but they've turned it over again!
PENALTY: Johnny Dyer the hero with the turnover.
36TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Beauden Barrett has been patched up. He's back on the field, but looks seriously worse for wear.
Matavesi throws the lineout, and Botia hits the line hard! Ravai and Dyer both run at the All Blacks, but the defence holds.
Sotutu turns the ball over, and passes to Beauden Barrett who stabs a kick through, only as far as Nadolo.
Fiji slow the play right down, before Volavola goes to the air. Jordie Barrett takes it, and kicks straight back to Volavola - who runs and is tackled.
Jordie Barrett wins a turnover as Volavola doesn't release (Not releasing ball).
39TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: All Blacks lineout in the right corner. Taylor throws, Tuipulotu wins it and finds Frizell who hits the line. But Fiji are offside and give away a penalty.
It'll be an All Blacks scrum.
Smith feeds, as Sotutu takes it off the back and holds off a couple of defenders. Advantage All Blacks.
Laulala is tackled, before Taylor goes left. Retallick takes a tackle, before Taylor goes again. Smith goes wide to Jordie Barrett, who looks for Bridge, but Havili sticks a hand out and palms into touch.
PENALTY: We'll go back for the advantage though.
All Blacks' scrum. Smith feeds.
PENALTY: Sotutu runs off the back and is tackled short of the line, but Fiji have turned it over! Dyer again coming up with the big play!
The siren goes for halftime, what will Fiji do?
They clear into touch. That's the half.
HALF TIME
41ST MINUTE: We're good to go for the second half, the All Blacks are unchanged after the break. In fact, both teams are unchanged.
Volavola kicks off to start the second half.
43RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Straight away the All Blacks have a penalty, Dyer off his feet at the breakdown (Player leaving feet).
All Blacks lineout. Taylor throws, Sotutu wins it. Smith clears with a box kick straight to Murimurivalu.
Fiji break through Nakarawa, who finds Ravai back inside him! Fiji are on the 22, but Retallick somehow strips the ball in the tackle!
The All Blacks can counter, but Beauden Barrett knocks on.
44TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY & TRY ALL BLACKS: Tuisue is called for a no-arms tackle on Havili after the whistle, so the All Blacks have a penalty and lineout inside the 10m line.
Taylor's throw is over the top straight to Frizell. All Blacks have advantage as they go wide.
Havili runs down the left wing, before drawing in the last defender and finding Bridge outside him - unmarked.
Bridge doesn't miss from there, as he glides over for the first try of the second half.
CONVERSION MISS: Beauden Barrett with the kick, this one from the left touchline, but can't get it on target. (NZ 26 FIJI 11)
49TH MINUTE (5 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY & TRY FIJI: Advantage Fiji, All Blacks not rolling away. Volavola tries a kick over the top that Taylor intercepts, so Fiji take the lineout.
Matavesi throws, Kunavula wins it. Fiji attack down the blindside through Matavesi, who gets the ball back to Kunavula who crashes over to score!
CONVERSION MISS: Volavola looks to convert from the left, but he can't land this one either. (NZ 26 FIJI 16)
50TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Ethan de Groot enters the field for his test debut, on for Bower. Lauala is also replaced by Lomax. In fact, make that the whole front row, Coles replaces Taylor.
Beauden Barrett kicks off, but Fiji return fire through Volavola. Barrett kicks back and Volavola kicks into touch.
52ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Sotutu wins the lineout, and run the ball before Fiji turn it over.
Kuruvoli clears with a box kick, straight to Reece who shows off serious pace! He breaks upfield, as the All Blacks go wide!
Blackadder has a chance on the right wing, but he's tackled.
PENALTY: All Blacks advantage, so Barrett kicks to the wing, but can't find his own man. We'll go back for the penalty.
53RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY, YELLOW CARD & TRY ALL BLACKS: Hang on a sec, Murimurivalu is shown yellow for leaving his feet to give away that penalty. Fiji are down to 14. The All Blacks will have a lineout with their numerical advantage.
SUBSTITUTION: Kuruvoli is also off for an HIA. The All Blacks throw quickly and look for the lineout drive.
They go to the line before Coles goes over to score! Great work from de Groot to get the ball to Coles.
CONVERSION MISS: Beauden Barrett to convert, and he's missed this one to the right. (NZ 31 FIJI 16)
56TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Jordie Barrett kicks on the run to Sau, as Fiji build from inside their own half. Coles turns it over though, as de Groot makes his first run.
The All Blacks go wide but Sotutu's pass goes to ground. Both sides trade possession, before Havili kicks along the ground to Volavola, who kicks into touch.
PENALTY: But the All Blacks take the quick lineout. Lomax runs in midfield, but Fiji have won the turnover!
It's Dyer again that's done it.
58TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Whitelock replaces Tuipulotu from the bench as Fiji have a lineout.
PENALTY: Fiji win the throw, and advantage, Frizell takes the man in the air. Botia argues for a yellow card, but to no avail.
Volavola finds touch for the lineout.
60TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Fiji win the throw who get the ball back to Matavesi who breaks through the middle!
PENALTY: Fiji are close, and have advantage! Yato runs, but he can't hold on to the ball, so we go back for the penalty.
Lomax has some damage to his eye. Volavola finds the corner, and Fiji will go again.
61ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY TRY FIJI & YELLOW CARD: Fiji win the throw and drive at the line. They're close, and get the penalty try! Havili goes in illegally, and he's shown a yellow card!
CONVERSION: The conversion is good - Fiji trail by eight against 14 men! (NZ 31 FIJI 23)
63RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: The All Blacks are under serious pressure here. They've got advantage on halfway, and we'll go back for the penalty after a forward pass to Blackadder.
Barrett kicks for the corner and the line out.
65TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Coles throws, Sotutu brings it down and the All Blacks drive under advantage.
PENALTY: Advantage for the All Blacks, and we'll have another penalty. Barrett finds the corner, and it'll be another lineout.
Coles throws again, Whitelock wins it and they drive again. They're close, and Coles goes over for his second!
CONVERSION: Beauden Barrett to convert from right in front, and does. (NZ 38 FIJI 23)
68TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Will Jordan comes on for Bridge - averaging more than a try a game for the All Blacks.
Murimurivalu kicks into touch for an All Blacks lineout, just shy of the 22.
SUBSTITUTION: Jacobson comes on for Sotutu. Coles throws and the All Blacks scramble back as Retallick can't hang on.
PENALTY: Coles breaks and finds Smith outside him as the All Blacks get to the five-metre line - but Fiji win a penalty for not releasing (Holding on).
69TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Fiji lineout, Christie replaces Smith. The All Blacks turn the ball over and go wide.
PENALTY: Penalty for the All Blacks, Barrett kicks for the corner.
SUBSTITUTION: McKenzie is on for Jordie Barrett.
70TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Coles throws, Whitelock wins it.
The All Blacks bring it down and go all the way to the right wing through Christie and Barrett, where Will Jordan is waiting.
Jordan runs over to score another try - test rugby's not too hard is it?
CONVERSION MISS: Barrett's kick - and he's missed. (NZ 43 FIJI 23)
72ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The All Blacks break again as McKenzie finds Jordan on the right!
PENALTY: McKenzie has another run, and wins a penalty - the 27th of the game.
Barrett finds the corner for another lineout.
74TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: Coles throws and looks for the lineout drive - can Coles get his hat-trick?
He can! Another try from the line out drive, and Dane Coles has a hat-trick as a substitute!
CONVERSION: Barrett with the kick to bring up the ABs' 50, and he's got it. (NZ 50 FIJI 23)
75TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: All Blacks line out and they break in midfield. Christie runs inside the Fijian half, before Dane Coles pops up and scores a fourth?! What a game from the All Blacks' hooker!
CONVERSION: And Barrett converts. (NZ 57 FIJI 23)
80TH MINUTE (5 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Penalty against Fiji, and the All Blacks take the lineout.
PENALTY: Coles throws and finds Havili. But Havili gives away a penalty - 30th of the night - for not releasing.
Volavola clears for a Fiji lineout.
The siren goes as Fiji throw. They go wide to Buliruarua out on the wing. Fiji want to finish on a high.
They get to the All Blacks' five-metre line. Yato runs at the line, but he's tackled. It's all in the forwards.
But it's turned over and Whitelock snaps it up! But it's knocked on, and that's full time!
FULL TIME
ALL BLACKS 57 FIJI 23
And in other rugby news such as Samoa (Who are on the recovery mode after losing to the Maori All Blacks twice) beating Tonga (Who got demolished by the AB's by 102 points the Saturday before) in the 1st leg of the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland then the British & Irish Lions play the Sharks again turning into a 2 match series during the Lions rugby tour disrupted by the corona virus at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria with a thrashing after one of the Sharks players got sent off during the match.
And finally in other sports news such as Australian Ash Barty (Who is part Aborigine because of her grandmother) winning the women's singles title at Wimbeldon as she defeated her Czech opponent Karolina Pliskova but there is a tennis match tomorrow as the men's singles final in Wimbledon is between Matteo Berrettini of Italy (Well, you have an Italian tennis player playing in the major tennis final in England on Italy's big day as Italy take on England in the final of Euro 2020 trying to steal a little bit of limelight therefore setting the tone) taking on the French Open champion Novak Djokovic (Who had an incredible comeback to down Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas at Roland Garros after trailing by 2 sets & is on the cusp of winning his 6th Wimbeldon title) but the men's singles final in Wimbledon falls on the same day but the all important tennis match is held before the Roberto Mancini coached & Giorgio Chellini led Italy (Who are favourites now because originally it was going to be the English (Because of them ranked above the Italians & they have the home field advantage going into the final not only because the Italians are avid football followers while the English (Or British), invented the beautiful game of football as well as cricket, rugby union & tennis of course) but they changed it to Italy) battle the Gareth Southgate coached & Harry Kane led England (Whom I am backing because of our family's English roots but Zaki (Whom I met last year along with his Muslim wife Aysha) owns a place in Italy) in a bid for European Football Championship supremacy in the final of Euro 2020 which is at Wembley Stadium in London (Will this be England's time for football to come home or has they have before, will Italy find something special to once again break English hearts? And my last thoughts before the final of the Euros tomorrow morning New Zealand time? Come on England (There is no tomorrow, today we crush the Italians once & for all (There's plenty for the both of us, may the best team win, game on (And watch this space).
So that is my 434th blog of the year 2021 (MMXXI) & my 54th of this year.
