Tuesday, 17 August 2021

COVID-19 shutdown report (The day New Zealand stood still)

Well, the whole of New Zealand is in shutdown on alert level 4 for the 1st time since April last year (We are now into our 5th shutdown & it was on August 17th (2 days ago), it was the day New Zealand had stood still) & in disarray after a community case (There must have been a man who had been living in his flat & had attended church didn't get vaccinated (His wife did but I once told Pops that I would easily get COVID-19 if I didn't get vaccinated but I heard Pops chatting to Carole on the phone that the American reporter said that there was only 1 confirmed case in New Zealand (And a passenger must've arrived from Australia had picked up the Delta variant so we have declared war on the Delta variant (And the pandemic is like a war to start with) which happened on Tuesday because Auckland has now turned into a danger zone) but the country is now on level 4 shutdown) had been confirmed in Auckland (I mean that is the most serious & severe example of the corona virus (Which had been ongoing since March last year so we are still uniting against that contagious disease because our country had been hard hit with troubles caused by the corona virus) had been detected) allowing the PM of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern (Who was a really concerned lady & was worried when she made the announcement (I disrespect her despite the fact that I vote for Labour during general elections in New Zealand & Pops (Who he & Carole met the Prime Minister last year & took a photo of her as well but does the security people allow you to do that?) is also a frequent Labour supporter but never, I'll never meet the Prime Minister of New Zealand) that New Zealand had gone to alert level 4 last week in another one of the defining moments of her political career compared to March last year when she 1st announced the shutdown) to make a decision that our entire country has been declared a nationwide state of emergency (Everything is closed with pharmacies & supermarkets are the notable exceptions as well as protective face masks have been mandated, & that they must wash hands regularly for 20 seconds & there is a 2 metre physical separation protocol in place but there is no more than 10 people are allowed at public gatherings as well as they must avoid touching the face such as the eyes, mouth & nose, & there is confirmation that round 3 of the Bunnings NPC had been cancelled or postponed but no word given if the remainder of the season could even be cancelled (And that's why because Pops told me that lots of people in the crowd attending any live sport (Well, there's hardly any live sport on this weekend at all due to COVID-19) can easily get the virus).

And this is going to be my last blog before I take another self imposed break from blogging cause of the state of emergency shutdown had been occurred last night (And most people in New Zealand will all have to stay home except when going to the pharmacy & supermarket which will in fact stay open as a result of last night's announcement made by the New Zealand Prime Minister).

So that is my 450th blog of the year 2021 (MMXXI) & my 50th of this year.

Sunday, 15 August 2021

2021 Bunnings NPC round 2 review

Well, here is the review of round 2 of the 2021 Bunnings NPC season:

WAIKATO AND TASMAN STAY UNBEATEN IN THE PREMIERSHIP

Another bonus point win has seen Waikato maintain its lead two rounds into the Bunnings NPC, two points clear of Tasman.

Waikato played out a thrilling 43-37 win over Wellington in Hamilton on Sunday while Tasman had a more gruelling contest with Auckland before taking advantage of a basic slip by the goalposts by fullback Salesi Rayasi to claim a 16-11 win at home in Nelson.

However, it is still early days with all seven teams within five points of each other. 

In the Championship, Taranaki, after a convincing 48-14 win over Northland are four points clear. Manawatu, who pushed Canterbury close in a 22-25 loss are in second place with North Harbour and Otago sharing third on four points. 

Counties Manukau 6 North Harbour 14 

Goal-kicking still has a place and that was evident in this Friday night encounter in Pukekohe where the home team failed to capitalize on early chances for tries. North Harbour were also unable to penetrate the Counties Manukau defences early, but in their case they had the goal-kicking boot of first five-eighths Bryn Gatland to keep rewards coming to the point where North Harbour led 9-0 at halftime. Counties Manukau launched some heavy-duty driving play in the North Harbour 22m but handling issues denied them tries, although a 50m penalty goal from wing Jarrod Halliday got them within three points. But North Harbour struck back immediately when consecutive back line moves resulted in wing Moses Leo moving in from the flank with fullback Shaun Stevenson running outside to pull in a ball going behind him to find rare vacant space in the 22m area to run in a 69th minute try. 

Counties Manukau 6 (Jarrod Halliday 2 pen) North Harbour 14 (Shaun Stevenson try; Bryn Gatland 3 pen). HT: 0-9

Canterbury 25 Manawatu 22 

Manawatu visits to Christchurch are rarely dull affairs and Saturday proved no exception, Manawatu scoring their first when halfback Mitch Drummond couldn't touch the bouncing ball down 1min 40sec into the game as Logan Henry did score. But wing Chay Fihaki provided the Canterbury response within two minutes from a Manawatu kick deflection. Hooker Shilo Klein got over from a Canterbury maul before Fihaki showed his power on the fend to score his second after 31 minutes. Drummond scored an outrageous try with a superb dummy three minutes into the second half to extend the lead to 22-10. Replacement prop Jarred Adams showed his ability on the corkscrew to pull Manawatu back into the game with a try. Manawatu launched a wave of attacks and eventually success came from a blocked grubber kick as flanker Shamus Hurley-Langton secured the untidy ball and bullocked his way over the line. But Canterbury had the final say to claim the win.

Canterbury 25 (Chay Fihaki 2, Shilo Klein, Mitch Drummond tries; Fergus Burke con, pen) Manawatu 22 (Logan Henry, Jarred Adams, Shamus Hurley-Langton; Brett Cameron 2 con, pen). HT: 17-10

Tasman 16 Auckland 11

In a game that produced only one try apiece, Auckland claimed the first try courtesy of a 50-22 which set up driving play at the line and it was a clever back pass by halfback Jonathan Ruru to fullback Salesi Rayasi ,running close off Ruru, that allowed him to corkscrew his way over the line in the tackle. But with 14 minutes remaining, Rayasi wasn't able to clear a long downfield kick from Tasman first five-eighths Mitch Hunt. Attempting to pick the ball up by a goalpost, he fell over and the ball was knocked on. From the scrum, Shannon Frizell ran off the scrum and passed to wing Leicester Fainga'anuku running a line off Frizell to score what proved the game decider, although it took 3 mins 35sec of desperate injury time defence to secure the win.

Tasman 16 (Leicester Fainga'anuku try; Mitch Hunt con, 3pen) Auckland 11 (Salesi Rayesi try; Harry Plummer 2 pen). HT: 6-11

Hawke's Bay 34 Otago 10

Ranfurly Shield challengers always need to make an immediate impact and Otago did that with centre Freedom Vaha'akolo running a lovely line off halfback Kayne Hammington to prize open the home defence in the 18th minute to score. But Hawkes' Bay absorbed the pressure and took their chance from a midfield scrum where the ball was moved wide for wing Neria Fomai to cross. Moments later fullback Lolagi Visinia won the race from a grubber kick to the in-goal to give the Bay a 14-7 halftime lead. Centre Stacey Ili's low running style got him over 11 minutes into the second half. Replacement loose forward Josh Kaifa showed his strength and determination to score a bullocking try on the right flank and it was left to wing Jonah Lowe to secure his own chip kick in injury time to wrap up a commanding win.

Hawke's Bay 34 (Neria Fomai, Lolagi Visinia, Stacey Ili, Josh Kaifa, Jonah Lowe tries; Lincoln McClutchie 2 con; Tiaan Falcon con, pen) Otago 10 (Freedom Vaha'akolo try; Vilimoni Koroi con, pen). HT: 14-7

Southland 11 Bay of Plenty 31

Fijian left-wing Onisi Ratave announced himself onto the New Zealand rugby scene with an outstanding performance for Bay of Plenty in Invercargill. It was his midfield break that resulted in the first try of the game, scored by flanker Mitch Karpik, who was perfectly positioned to take a pass to score when Ratave was tackled. Six minutes into the second half Southland responded when centre Isaac Te Tamaki fired a huge pass to blindside flanker Charles Alaimalo on the left flank who scored. But then a tip tackle proved costly for Southland as it set up a chance for Bay of Plenty to move the ball for centre Sean Wainui to go across. Two penalty goals to replacement Marty Banks got Southland close, but that was before Ratave was given space on the blindside, and he made no error. When Alaimalo was sin-binned for a retaliation play, Bay of Plenty completed their win as flanker Nikora Broughton scored after a scrum.

Southland 11 (Charles Alaimalo try; Marty Banks 2 pen) Bay of Plenty 31 (Mitch Karpik, Sean Wainui, Onisi Ratave, Nikora Broughton tries; Kaleb Trask 4 con, pen). HT: 0-10

Waikato 43 Wellington 37

Hamilton turned on a try fest, the activity opening with similar looking tries posted on the left flanks, firstly for Waikato's Mosese Dawai and then Pepesana Patafilo who responded. Wellington made the most of a strong midfield break by second five-eighths Peter Umaga-Jensen to give Patafilo his second try. After flanker Du'Plessis Kirifi scored, the Wellington backs cashed in on a turnover as first five-eighths Ruben Love showed blistering pace to clear out downfield. When stopped, the ruck produced ball that allowed centre Julian Savea to create a 27-8 gap. Then Wellington went to the break on a 34-8 lead after an Umaga-Jensen intercept. A Savea sin-binning for a dangerous tackle didn't bode well as Jack Lam scored in resulting play for Waikato and moments later hooker Oliver Norris got over as well. Wellington's only second half points were from a penalty goal and no sooner had they kicked that than halfback Cortez Ratima scored for Waikato. Flanker Liam Messam went over from a maul, and there was only one point in it. Wing Liam Coombes-Fabling hit the back line at speed to find wide open spaces which he used to perfection to score the match winner, a superb comeback for Waikato.

Waikato 43 (Mosese Dawai, Jack Lam, Oliver Norris, Cortez Ratima, Liam Messam, Liam Coombes-Fabling tries; Fletcher Smith 5 con, pen) Wellington 37 (Pepesana Patafilo 2, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Julian Savea, Peter Umaga-Jensen tries; Ruben Love 3 con, pen; Brandyn Laursen pen). HT: 8-34

Northland 14 Taranaki 48

Northland opened the scoring with a try from a line out drive going to prop Leka Tu'ingafasi 10 minutes into the game. Taranaki looked to attack their way out of deficit and had a try to wing Kini Naholo ruled out early in the second quarter. But they had better luck five minutes out from halftime when centre Daniel Waite regained control of the ball after it hit his chest to score. A red card to Number 8 Isi Manu for a high shot on fullback Stephen Perofeta was seized upon by Taranaki with Perofeta landing the penalty and then they used a line out maul for hooker Ricky Riccitelli to claim the try. Another lineout win saw Perofeta, who had a fine game controlling his side, give Naholo another chance and he took it to score. Perofeta once again opened up the chance for replacement Shaan Waite to score. Replacement prop Kaliopasi Uluilakepa got one back for Northland but from a scrum, Perofeta stepped in and created space for Naholo to score his second try and within a minute replacement back Daniel Rona kicked the ball ahead and regained control to toe it over the line to score. Perofeta completed an outstanding goal-kicking display, converting all six of Taranaki's tries.

Northland 14 (Leka Tu'ungafasi, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa tries; Rivez Reihana 2 con) Taranaki 48 (Daniel Waite, Ricky Riccitelli, Kini Naholo 2, Shaan Waite, Daniel Rona tries; Stephen Perofeta 6 con, 2 pen). HT: 7-10

So that is my 449th blog of the year 2021 (MMXXI) & my 49th of this year.

2021 Rugby Championship round 1 round up

Well, the All Blacks have dead set successfully retained the Bledisloe Cup for another year as they thrashed the Wallabies (Who had an impressive display in Bledisloe I by running 3 late tries but ran out of time to find new ways & methods of toppling the All Blacks during the 2nd Bledisloe Cup test but there were tries being scored by David Havili (Who finished the Aussies off with a try at the death just like Rico Gear did against the British & Irish Lions way back in 2005), Rieko Ioane (Who scored the opening try off an intercept), Will Jordan (Who had a successful comeback from a hamstring injury), Sevu Reece (Who did a carbon copy of the Rieko Ioane try by also scoring a try off an intercept), Brodie Retallick, Ardie Savea (Who got yellow carded during the 2nd half of the match for going off his feet at the breakdown) & of course Codie Taylor who dotted it down not once but twice while the try scorers for Australia were both Andrew Kellaway (Who scored both tries just like Codie Taylor did) & the young Wallaby halfback of Tate McDermott) in Bledisloe II as well as the opening round of the 2021 edition of the Rugby Championship at Eden Park in Auckland in which the AB's have remained unbeaten at this ground since 1994 but the Wallabies chances & hopes of ending a 35 year drought against the All Blacks at the garden of Eden has been extended & will have to wait some other time so here is the match commentary provided from Newshub:

Kia ora and welcome to live updates of the second Bledisloe Cup test between the All Blacks and Australia at Auckland's Eden Park in as many weeks.

The hosts - coming off last weekend's 33-25 win -  will wrap up the prized trans-Tasman silverware for the 19th straight year with a victory, while the Wallabies will be desperate to continue their momentum from late in the first test and break their hoodoo at The Garden.

We'll have all the action for you from just before kick-off at 7 PM.

All Blacks: 1-George Bower, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Sam Whitelock (c), 6-Akira Ioane, 7-Dalton Papali'i, 8-Ardie Savea, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-Sevu Reece, 12-David Havili, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Will Jordan, 15-Damian McKenzie 

Reserves: 16-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17-Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18-Angus Ta'avao, 19-Scott Barrett, 20-Luke Jacobson, 21-TJ Perenara, 22-Beauden Barrett, 23-Jordie Barrett

Australia: 1-James Slipper, 2-Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 4-Darcy Swain, 5-Matt Philip, 6-Lachie Swinton, 7-Michael Hooper (c), 8-Rob Valetini, 9-Tate McDermott, 10-Noah Lolesio, 11-Marika Koroibete, 12-Matt To'omua, 13-Hunter Paisami, 14-Andrew Kellaway, 15-Tom Banks

Reserves: 16-Jordan Uelese, 17-Scott Sio, 18-Taniela Tupou, 19-Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20-Harry Wilson, 21-Nic White, 22-Len Ikitau, 23-Reece Hodge

6:57 PM: Both teams make their way out on to the Eden Park turf on a chilly but clear night in Auckland.

7:00 PM: As expected, the crowd is looking relatively sparse for the second consecutive weekend of tests at The Garden, but we still get a hearty rendition of 'God Defend..'.

7:03 PM: Aaron Smith retains the honour of leading the haka, despite the return of TJ Perenara. Empassioned performance of ole fave 'Ka Mate', and now it's time to get into some footy.

We're underway...

1ST MINUTE, SCRUM: Richie Mo'unga gets us started, All Blacks running towards the western stand. Aussie spill the kick off, but the All Blacks can't capitalize - McKenzie drilled in the tackle and losing the ball. Scrum Aussie near their own 22 m.

3RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Three scrum resets and we finish with a penalty against Laulala. Banks takes us to a line out at the NZ 10m.

4TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Neat chip over the top from To'omua is lost by McKenzie. Aussie hot on attack, but the To'omua's next move isn't so flash, throwing a skip pass that is easily picked off by Rieko Ioane, who goes 80m to score the game's first try. (NZ 7 - 0)

7TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Aussie move from the lineout, NZ 10m line. Charging run from Valetini.

8TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY WALLABIES & CONVERSION MISS: Perfect response from the Wallabies, who string together multiple phases in a sustained assault, before a perfect wide chip kick for rookie wing Andrew Kellaway to beat McKenzie inside and score his second try of the series. Try unconverted. (NZ 7 - 5)

10TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: All Blacks under pressure again, line out inside their own 22m. Smith clears beyond halfway. Return kick bounces into touch and NZ go quickly, then win a penalty. Lineout 30m from the Aussie line.

13TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: NZ roll the maul, Mo'unga hits Reece inside into a huge hole, Hooper tracks back to make a crucial tackle. Penalty advantage cashed in, NZ turn down the shot at goal for a 5m lineout.

14TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Another penalty for NZ, and they again turn down a straight forward three points to go back to the 5 m line out.

15TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Great work by the Wallabies pack, who hold up the NZ ball carrier to win a 5 m scrum.

17TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), FREE KICK (SHORT ARM PENALTY) & PENALTY: NZ free kick from the line out near the Aussie 22 m. They'll pack a scrum. Penalty NZ, and this time Mo'unga points to the posts. 25 m on a slight angle...sends it wide to the right.

21ST MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): All Blacks give the ball some air from the restart. Ioane down the right flank, Mo'unga almost breaks clear. Reece fumbles and Aussie clear.

23RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Havili looked to have stripped the ball carrier but it's deemed a tackle completed and penalty Australia for a no clear release (Tackler not releasing).

24TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER, TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Akira Ioane makes another rampaging run down the right edge, dummies, finds McKenzie inside, who throws a beautiful flick pass to a storming Retallick, who gallops 22 m to score under the crossbar. (NZ 14 - 5)

26TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY & SCRUM: Lovely work at the breakdown by Codie Taylor, who wins a defensive penalty for the All Blacks for holding on (Not releasing ball). Mo'unga finds touch at the Australian 10 m. Sloppy line out results in an Aussie scrum.

28TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Crafty kick in behind from Tom Banks, McKenzie forced to scramble it into touch. Probably could've let that roll into the in-goal, odd decision. Referee trapped in the ruck, much to the delight of the crowd. Whitelock pinged for jumping across in the line out, Aussie will set the 5 m line out.

30TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Sturdy maul defence from NZ, but they've conceded another penalty. Lolesio will take a gift three points here. (NZ 14 - 8)

32ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): NZ win the ball from the restart and are hot on attack. Mo'unga ghosts through a gap, 5 m out now.

33RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Ardie Savea picks from a close range ruck after a powerful Dalton Papali'i run and Taylor shunts in behind to power him over the chalk. No stopping that caboose. Mo'unga converts. (NZ 21 - 8)

36TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Smith clears from the restart. Hooper makes a superb run, sets Aussie up 15m from the NZ line. The Aussie forwards pick and go quickly, NZ forced to infringe right on their own line. Very lucky to escape with a yellow card there for off feet (Player leaving feet). Aussie turn down the shot for a 5m scrum.

38TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM: Big moment in the match here, as halftime approaches. NZ under pressure on their own try line, scrum next to the right-hand post, options either way.

39TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY & SCRUM: NZ screw the scrum, another penalty, another scrum.

40TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY WALLABIES & CONVERSION: Smart play from halfback Tate McDermott, who sees Smith drift the other way in defence and cuts inside to dive under the black dot as the halftime hooter sounds. Try converted, and it's very much game on.

HALF TIME

Second half underway...

41ST MINUTE: Lolesio gets us restarted. This should be an intriguing second half, if the first was anything to go by. Koroibete does really well to win it and put Aussie immediately on the attack.

42ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY & YELLOW CARD: 10 phases now, McDermott bursts from the ruck, pulled down a metre short. Aussie penalty and Savea pays the price with a yellow card for diving straight off his feet (Sealing off). That one had been coming for a while, too many infringements on their own line.

SCRUM: To the 5 m line out they go...not straight. That's a coach killer right there. NZ off the hook, for now.

44TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Havili with a powerful carry to get NZ out of their 5 m danger zone. Akira Ioane follows suit, penalty NZ. Line out near halfway.

46TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): McKenzie does well to reel in a tricky bouncing ball, frees it to Mo'unga who bangs it deep. Aussie run it out, and Will Jordan streaks through to tackle his man into touch. NZ line out at the 50 m.

47TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Smith snipes down the narrowest of blindsides, fakes to the outside then finds Codie Taylor streaking inside, and the hooker goes 30 m to score. Mo'unga converts. (NZ 28 - 15)

49TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Havili taken out in the air from the restart. Mo'unga with a great touch finder from the penalty, but Taylor is off the mark with his throw. Koroibete finds space, Aussie to the NZ 10 m line. Whitelock in on the ruck to save the day, defensive penalty NZ for not releasing ball (Holding on).

52ND MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY GOAL: Well, McKenzie wants to have a crack here, almost 60m out. Stiff breeze at his back. Clears it by inches! That was a solid 57 m, insane. (NZ 31 - 15)

54TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Would you believe it, yet another intercept try. This time it's Sevu Reece, who saw it all the way and races 60 m to score what could be a dagger of a try (NZ 38 - 15).

56TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Jordan wins a defensive penalty at the ruck for not releasing. Ardie Savea back on the field from the bin.

57TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM & SUBSTITUTION: Smith breaks again, as the rain comes down. NZ 10 m out, but Ioane spills it on the pick and go. Jordie Barrett enters the fold, McKenzie to the bench.

58TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), FREE KICK (SHORT ARM PENALTY) & SCRUM: Free kick against the feed, and NZ will pack a 5 m scrum. Another great scoring opportunity here.

60TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION MISS: Smith lays a dime right on Taylor's chest as he loops behind the ruck, puts his head down and slides over in the tackle. Mo'unga can't convert from out wide. (NZ 43 - 15)

64TH MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): Nicely worked Aussie counter attack after a Jordie Barrett break ends in a fumbled pass. Odd option for a fairly aimless kick from Aussie, NZ line out at their own 22 m.

65TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Papali'i with a searing half break, offload to Savea who powers clear of two tacklers and puts Jordan over in the corner. This getting ugly for the Australians. Beauden Barrett - on for Mo'unga - nails the sideline conversion (NZ 50 - 15).

67TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SUBSTITUTION: TJ Perenara back on the field for the All Blacks, ya love to see it. Aussie with an attacking 5 m line out.

68TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY WALLABIES & CONVERSION: Second man play and Tom Banks does brilliantly to throw a wide ball to an unmarked Kellaway, who runs in his second try of the night. Lolesio converts. (NZ 50 - 22)

71ST MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Aussie on the offensive, at the NZ 22 m now, as the rain pelts down in Auckland.

77TH MINUTE (6 MINUTES LATER): The combo of rain and tired bodies results in a few sloppy moments, as we draw to the end of what will be a comfortable All Blacks win. NZ work their way out of their own 22 m thanks to a raking punt from B. Barrett. Line out at halfway.

82ND MINUTE (5 MINUTES LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Havili scampers clear from broken play to put another nail in the Australians' already well sealed coffin. That's a record score for the All Blacks against Aussie in NZ. (NZ 57 - 22)

FULL TIME: Incredible second-half performance from the All Blacks, who have turned a six-point halftime lead into the biggest win ever over Australia on NZ soil.

NEW ZEALAND 57 (Taylor 2, Havili, Jordan, Reece, Savea, R. Ioane, Retallick tries, Mo'unga 5 cons, McKenzie pen)

AUSTRALIA 22 (Kellaway 2, McDermott, Lolesio pen, 2 cons)

And finally the defending world champions South Africa got off to a flying start on their return to the Rugby Championship a week after their triumph in the Lions test series as they defeated Argentina by 20 points with the score 32 points to 12 (That's the same scoreline that the Springboks took victory against England to win their 3rd Rugby World Cup title during the 2019 Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama, Japan) in Port Elizabeth.

So that is my 448th blog of the year 2021 (MMXXI) & my 48th of this year.

Wednesday, 11 August 2021

All Blacks team naming against the Wallabies for Bledisloe II (2021 edition)

Well (After our most successful summer Olympics we had in Tokyo for New Zealand (7 golds, 6 silvers & 7 bronzes throughout our campaign but it is time to move on from the Olympics because we are now focusing on the rugby), the All Blacks have named their team today according to coach Ian Foster in this Saturday's 2nd Bledisloe Cup fixture as well as the opening match of the 2021 Rugby Championship (Which will feature the return of the world champions, the Springboks after a years absence (They were originally going to take part but had to pull out due to fears & uncertainty regarding to the corona virus in South Africa according to the South African government travel restrictions as well as player welfare & safety concerns) as they take on Argentina in Port Elizabeth) against Australia (The last meeting between both sides was 5 days ago at Eden Park in Auckland during Bledisloe I in which the AB's won the test despite the Wallabies ran in by scoring 3 late tries & 1 successful conversion from Wallaby first five Noah Lolesio before the end in which they put on a tremendous fightback after being 33 - 8 down, but it's been 20 years since the last time the Wallabies had triumphed against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil & it was in Dunedin where the John Eales led Australia spoiled New Zealand's party at the old house of pain which is Carisbrook on the late Jonah Lomu's 50th test but the Aussies will have another shot of ending a 35 year hoodoo at the garden of Eden tomorrow this Saturday against the AB's after losing the previous test & hoping to become the 1st rugby playing nation to win at Eden Park against New Zealand since France did it 27 years ago in 1994 (Including the try of the end of the world being scored by the French which was mentioned in my previous blogs) & are looking to deny the All Blacks hopes of successfully defending the Bledisloe because the last time the Aussies held the Bledisloe, it was in 2003 where they last held the prestigious Trans-Tasman rugby trophy after the AB's ended 5 years of heartache to win the Bledisloe but the All Blacks have never been defeated in the opening round of the Rugby Championship (And are looking to continue our trend of opening the Rugby Championship campaign with a win) because it was in 2005 against South Africa during the Tri Nations era) at Eden Park in Auckland (It was originally going to be held at Sky Stadium in Wellington, but due to problems caused by COVID-19 in the Wellington area, they wouldn't let them host a rugby test match, after an incident in late June that a man should've been tested before the flight had occurred from Sydney to Wellington could've forced them not to shut the Trans-Tasman travel bubble already (Including the Delta variant which affected throughout the Australian state of New South Wales) so here is the starting lineup in it's entirety:

PLAYING XV

FORWARD PACK

FRONT ROW

1 (Loose head prop): George Bower (Crusaders/Otago)

2 (Hooker): Codie Taylor (Crusaders/Canterbury)

3 (Tight head prop): Nepo Laulala (Blues/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): Akira Ioane (Blues/Auckland)

7 (Open side flanker): Dalton Papali'i (Blues/Counties Manukau)

8 (Number 8): Ardie Savea (Hurricanes/Wellington)

BACK LINE

HALVES

9 (Half-back): Aaron Smith (Highlanders/Manawatu)

10 (First five-eighth): Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders/Canterbury)

MIDFIELD

12 (Second five-eighth): David Havili (Crusaders/Tasman)

13 (Centre): Rieko Ioane (Blues/Auckland)

OUTSIDE BACKS

11 (Left wing): Sevu Reece (Crusaders/Tasman)

14 (Right wing): Will Jordan (Crusaders/Tasman)

& 15 (Fullback): Damian McKenzie (Chiefs/Waikato)

And in the reserves are:

16. Samisoni Taukei'aho (Who remains on the bench after being called up to replace Dane Coles who had to again withdraw from the previous match due to a calf strain)

17. Karl Tu'inukuafe

18. Angus Ta'avao

19. Scott Barrett (Who is back on the bench, replacing Patrick Tuipulotu after being withdrawn due to an illness in Bledisloe I)

20. Luke Jacobson

21. TJ Perenara (Who returns to replace Brad Weber to cover at the reserve halfback position after being away playing rugby in the Japan Top League)

22. Beauden Barrett

& 23. Jordie Barrett

And of course, the All Blacks is the world's most successful team (They had 3 Rugby World Cup titles to our credit which is 1987 (It was against France in the final at Eden Park in Auckland in a rematch of the fearful battering that New Zealand had copped in the battle of Nantes in 1986), 2011 (France again in the final at the same ground at Eden Park in Auckland just like in 1987) & 2015 (It was against Australia in the 1st ever Trans-Tasman RWC final at the home of English rugby union which is in Twickenham in London, England (And that's why that South Africa's 4 year plans of ending the AB's 8 year dominance on top of the rugby union world began after the All Blacks had triumphed in the 2015 Rugby World Cup) but there are some reports that the Springboks (Who returned to power in 2019 & are looking to remain in power in 2023 but let's hope that the All Blacks will return to power & win back the William Webb Ellis cup from its former glory) might have taken over as the best rugby playing nation in the world during modern times after their success at the last Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019 (That was their 3rd overall along with the AB's & their 1st since 2007 (They faced England in the final at the Stade de France in which was a rematch of the pool game that England copped a brutal hiding) to add to their previous title in 1995 (And it was against the All Blacks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg in which they fought during extra time) against the AB's chief tormentors in the semifinal, England as well as winning the test series against the British & Irish Lions this year.

And finally that New Zealand's 1st successful tilt at the America's Cup in 1995 (They had another success in 2000 against the Prada Challenge of Italy in Auckland before succeeding both in 2017 in Bermuda against the all Australian crew of the mega funded Oracle Team USA in a repeat of 1995 & earlier this year in March in Auckland against the Jimmy Spithill & Francesco Bruni helmed Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in a repeat of 2000) against Stars & Stripes who found a new way of bending the rules by allowing to use a rival's boat which is Young America to make the boat get up to speed before the 29th America's Cup match in San Diego, California has put the rest of the world on the map because of the stories that inspired New Zealand as a sailing nation.

So that is my 447th blog of the year 2021 (MMXXI) & my 47th of this year.

Tuesday, 10 August 2021

2021 Bunnings NPC round 1 review

Well, here is the review of round 1 of the 2021 Bunnings NPC (Formerly known as the Air New Zealand Cup from 2006 to 2009, ITM Cup from 2010 to 2015 & the Mitre 10 Cup from 2016 until last year) season:

LIONS ROAR IN OPENING ROUND OF BUNNINGS NPC

Wellington's bonus point 54-7 swamping of Northland sees it on top of the Bunnings Warehouse national championship after the opening round at the weekend.

But competition heavyweights Auckland and Canterbury played another tough contest before Auckland got a 35-24 win on the back of a hat-trick of tries to wing AJ Lam. Wellington flanker Taine Plumtree was another to post a hat-trick of tries.

Defending champion Tasman took time to subdue Bay of Plenty before enjoying a 27-14 win while Waikato beat North Harbour 28-15.

In the Championship Manawatu, who beat Counties Manukau 39-21, Taranaki who beat Hawke's Bay 33-19 and Otago, who beat Southland 26-19 share the lead on four points.

Bunnings Warehouse NPC Round One results:

Manawatu 39 Counties Manukau 21

Manawatu unleashed on Counties Manukau in the season opener with fullback Drew Wild's opening try making full use of centre Josiah Maraku's fine run and pass, but it was the break, late in the first half by flanker Seamus Hurley-Langton, that cut to the quick before he unloaded to first five-eighths Brett Cameron. The former Canterbury player demonstrated his side-stepping ability to run in a try that gave Manawatu a 23-9 lead at the break. Counties Manukau were not done, however as flanker Alamanda Motuga demonstrated when running onto a perfect pass, and into a gap, to respond. But any hope they had of getting closer foundered on Cameron's goal-kicking boot. He landed six penalty goals to go with his try and three conversions, the last of hooker Ray Niuia's late try, to finish with 29 points.

Manawatu 39 (Drew Wild, Brett Cameron, Ray Niuia tries; Cameron 3 con, 6 pen) Counties Manukau 21 (Alamanda Motuga, Kalolo Tuiloma tries; Jarrod Halliday con, 3 pen). HT: 23 - 9

Taranaki 33 Hawke's Bay 19

Taranaki, playing on Pukekura Park, unleashed some pressure on Hawke's Bay during the first half with hooker Bradley Slater on the back of a lineout maul to score a try that complemented the goal-kicking of first five-eighths Stephen Perofeta as Taranaki got out to a 19-0 lead. Hawke's Bay produced some lineout driving of their own for first five-eighths Lincoln McClutchie to score the first of Taranaki's tries in response, with loose forward Devan Flanders repeating the dose just before half-time. Ten minutes into the second half, Slater scored again from a maul on the line. Hooker Ash Dixon produced a trademark break from a lineout maul to get the Bay back within touch with 13 minutes remaining. They tried hard and until the hooter sounded they were a chance. But then, Jayson Potroz loosened Hawke's Bay ball in a tackle. Loose forward Jesse Parete was on hand to tidy up and pass to wing Vereniki Tikoisolomone and his sheer speed did the rest to seal the win and deny Hawke's Bay a bonus point.

Taranaki 33 (Bradley Slater 2, Vereniki Tikoisolomone tries; Stephen Perofeta 3 con, 4 pen) Hawke's Bay 19 (Lincoln McClutchie, Devan Flanders, Ash Dixon tries; McClutchie con; Tiaan Falcon con). HT: 19 - 12

Wellington 54 Northland 7

You can't beat Wellington on a good day, and Saturday was just about the best conditions in the country at Sky Stadium where the home took only two minutes to unleash flanker Taine Plumtree on the NPC, scoring the first of his three tries running on the left flank. Two minutes later he was in again on the back of a superb break from a ruck by halfback Richard Judd. Hooker Jordan Olsen got one back for Northland, but centre Peter Umaga-Jensen's initial break saw him on hand later in the move score Wellington's next. And prop Alex Fidow took them to a 28-7 lead at the break. No surprises for the first try in the second half going to Plumtree and wing Julian Savea made no mistake in the air when plucking out an Umaga-Jensen kick to score. Replacement hooker Bruce Kauika-Peterson demonstrated his nose for a try when in good position to capitalise and in the perfect finish, wing Wes Goosen, who started it all off earlier, set up a chance for replacement wing Brandyn Laursen to score the last. Northland stalwart Dan Hawkins added to his side's pain when sent off moments from the end for a head high hit on prop Xavier Numia.

Wellington 54 (Taine Plumtree 3, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Alex Fidow, Julian Savea, Bruce Kauika-Petersen, Brandyn Laursen tries; Ruben Love 5 con; Laursen 2 con) Northland 7 (Jordan Olsen try; Rivez Reihana con). HT: 28 - 7

Otago 26 Southland 19

Tradition counts for plenty after 140 years of contact and it provided the basis for another close contest between the two southern rivals. Otago struck first when fullback Sam Gilbert raced onto a grubber kick from centre Freedom Vana'akolo but then Southland hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate struck back with a superb try from a return pass to his lineout throw. It then got down to the most basic of forward battles with penalty goals traded between replacement kicker Vilimoni Koroi after Josh Ioane was injured, and the former Highlanders ace Marty Banks, playing for Southland. With the scores tied at 19-19, and three minutes left, replacement loose forward Christian Leo-Wille unleashed a mid-field bust and that was all it took to provide the winning chance for Vaha'akolo to touch down the winning try.

Otago 26 (Sam Gilbert, Freedom Vaha'akolo tries; Josh Ioane pen; Vilimoni Koroi con, 3 pen; Gilbert con) Southland 19 (Greg Pleasants-Tate try; Marty Banks con, 4 pen). HT: 13-10

Bay of Plenty 14 Tasman 27

Bay of Plenty halfback Luke Campbell, having given his side impetus with a quick tap penalty, may never score an easier try than the opener in Tauranga. But despite chances Bay couldn't build on it and it was Tasman who had the final say in the first half after wing Mark Telea created a break on the left flank and with support from halfback Louie Chapman, it was second five-eighths Tim O'Malley who opened the champions' response. Into the second half centre Sean Wainui scored a good try for the Bay to claim a one-point lead. Tasman resorted to their forward power for hooker Quentin MacDonald to twice score and give Tasman a lead it never relinquished across the final 26 minutes.

Bay of Plenty 14 (Luke Campbell, Sean Wainui tries; Kaleb Trask 2 con) Tasman 27 (Tim O'Malley, Quentin MacDonald 2; Mitch Hunt 3 con, 2pen). HT: 7 - 13

North Harbour 15 Waikato 28

North Harbour looked to be comfortably placed when making a good start as they capitalized on a cross-kick from first five-eighths Bryn Gatland, that allowed the home team to make the most of some poor Waikato defence to take a ruck to the line before halfback Bryn Hall took advantage of unguarded blindside to open the scoring. But Waikato waited, and when fullback Matty Lansdown took a high midfield kick, he landed to run at pace to space with wing Mosese Dawai out-running the defence to score. Then, into the second half, a strong lineout drive saw hooker Sekope Lopeti-Moli score. But the try of the day was created when flanker Mitch Jacobson was out among the backs to interpass with wing Liam Coombes-Fabling before Jacobson crossed. All Blacks midfield back Quinn Tupaea caused all manner of problems with ball in hand and his break saw Dawai across for his second. A deft Gatland kick provided the chance for wing Moses Leo to round out the scoring, but it wasn't enough to deny Waikato a comfortable win.

North Harbour 15 (Bryn Hall, Moses Leo tries; Bryn Gatland con, pen) Waikato 28 (Mosese Dawai 2, Sekope Lopeti-Moli, Mitch Jacobson tries; Fletcher Smith 4 con). HT: 8 - 7

Auckland 35 Canterbury 24

Using the wind to advantage Auckland struck first with wing AJ Lam making the most of an overlap advantage to score three minutes into the game. With first five-eighths Harry Plummer kicking the penalty goals, and halfback Jonathan Ruru muscling the ball upfield, Auckland had Canterbury under intense pressure. When they moved the ball from the scrum, Salesi Rayasi got the ball to Lam and while there were defenders, Lam's line saw him in at the corner. Then Lam running at first receiver put his feet to use to open space, to complete a hat-trick by the 35th minute. Wing Manasa Mataele scored an opportunist's try off an Auckland mistake and Canterbury hopes rose when replacement loosie Corey Kellow peeled off a maul to score. With 10 minutes left a try to replacement hooker Shilo Klein got Canterbury to 24-28 but with four minutes left a strong run by Plummer produced a try out wide and he landed a sideline conversion to seal the win.

Auckland 35 (AJ Lam 3, Harry Plummer tries; Plummer 3 con,  3pen) Canterbury 24 (Manasa Mataele, Corey Kellow, Shilo Klein tries; Fergus Burke 3 con, pen). HT: 25 - 3

So that is my 446th blog of the year 2021 (MMXXI) & my 46th of this year.

Monday, 9 August 2021

Bledisloe I review (2021 edition)

Well, the All Blacks (Whose discipline had been lacking during the entire match but they need to improve going into Bledisloe II) have come away with a win against the much stronger Wallabies side (And it must've been the Australian bench that made the difference in the 2nd half as well as the Aussies have adapted to the new law changes such as the 50/22 rule (Where a kicker kicks the ball from the halfway line towards the oppositions 22 metre line) & the goal line drop out that they always use in rugby league so they have turned rugby union into rugby league) who ran in 3 tries in a row late in the game in the 1st Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park in Auckland so here is the live updates according to Newshub:

Kia ora and welcome to live updates of the first Bledisloe Cup test between the All Blacks and Wallabies from Eden Park in the city of sails, Auckland.

Despite a test series win against France last month, Australia will be without star players Marika Koroibete, Pone Fa'amausili and Isi Naisarani - stood down for breaching team protocols. 

Meanwhile, the All Blacks' XV is not too dissimilar to the one that lined up in the second test against Fiji in July. Ardie Savea retains his starting spot but moves to the back of the scrum, making room for Dalton Papali'i to start on the open side flank.

The midfield remains unchanged with in-form David Havili and the experienced Anton Lienert-Brown set to pair up against Australia for the first time.

Join us for all the action from 7pm - kickoff is at 7:05pm.

How they line up

All Blacks: 1-George Bower, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Sam Whitelock (cap), 6-Akira Ioane, 7-Dalton Papalii, 8-Ardie Savea, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-Rieko Ioane, 12-David Havili, 13-Anton Lienert-Brown, 15-Sevu Reece, 15-Damian McKenzie. Reserves - 16-Dane Coles, 17-Karl Tu'inikuafe, 18-Angus Ta'avao, 19-Scott Barrett, 20-Luke Jacobson, 21-Brad Weber, 22-Beauden Barrett, 23-Jordie Barrett.

Wallabies: 1-James Slipper, 2-Brendon Paenga-Amosa, 3- Allan Alaalatoa, 4-Darcy Swain, 5-Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6- Rob Valentini, 7-Michael Hooper, 8-Harry Wilson, 9-Tate McDermott, 10-Noah Lolesio, 11-Andrew Kellaway, 12-Hunter Paisami, 13-Len Ikitau, 14-Jordan Petaia, 15-Tom Banks. Reserves - 16- Jordan Uelese, 17-Angus Bell, 18-Taniela Tupou, 19-Matt Philip, 20-Fraser McReight, 21-Jake Gordon, 22-Matt To'omua, 23-Reece Hodge.

6:50 PM: There's been a late change for the All Blacks, with replacement lock Scott Barrett ruled out with illness. He's been replaced on the bench by Patrick Tuipulotu.

6:55 PM: More news on the All Blacks front as veteran Dane Coles is also ruled out through injury. Samisoni Taukei'aho replaces him on the bench as the reserve hooker.

6:57 PM: The Wallabies make their way on to Eden Park.

6:58 PM: And here come the All Blacks, led out by Sam Whitelock. Behind him is Aaron Smith, who becomes the 10th All Black to play 100 test matches - outstanding achievement.

7:02 PM: Respective national anthems are done - now Aaron Smith will lead the haka in his 100th test. Special moment!

7:03 PM: The challenge has been laid and the stage is set. Welcome again to our live coverage of Bledisloe Cup I - it's a pleasure to have you following us.

KICK OFF

1ST MINUTE, PENALTY: The Wallabies have an early penalty inside their own half for obstructing a jumper in the line out - they're turning down 3 points and opting to kick for the corner.

2ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: The Wallabies knock on at the line out and the All Blacks have a scrum - opportunity lost for Australia.

3RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Richie Mo'unga clears from his own 22 from the scrum.

4TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Big Brodie Retallick is penalised at the ruck and the Wallabies will get another opportunity inside All Blacks' territory.

5TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The Wallabies have another shocker at line out time and knock on off the top - make that two opportunities lost to attack inside the All Blacks' half.

6TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Stable scrum for the All Blacks but David Havili loses the ball as he goes into contact. The player in front of him is ruled offside (Never onside) and it's a penalty.

7TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Another botched lineout for the Wallabies! It's not straight. Very messy start this from both teams.

8TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The All Blacks look to go wide off the scrum but they've gone too wide - as Sevu Reece is taken into touch. Can the Wallabies get this line out right?

9TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): It's another shocker! The line out is overthrown and the All Blacks have it inside the Wallabies' 40.

10TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Another mistake, this time from Ardie Savea. Wallabies have the scrum.

PENALTY: Penalty at scrum time against the All Blacks. Do the Wallabies dare attempt another line out?

11TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): It looks crooked, but they're letting get away with it and the line out is successful. Wallabies with posession inside their own half.

12TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Obstruction (Shepherding) in midfield by the Wallabies and the All Blacks have their first penalty. Richie Mo'unga kicks for touch and it's a good one - inside the 22.

13TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Another mistake (Error)... Mo'unga has the ball ripped out by Hunter Paisami. Scrum Wallabies.

14TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Tom Banks makes the clearance from the scrum but it's not out, Rieko Ioane makes a half break.

15TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Forward pass from Ardie Savea to Codie Taylor. Basic errors really costing both sides here. Wallabies with the scrum on halfway.

16TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: This time the All Blacks win the scrum penalty. Is this within Damian McKenzie's range?

17TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): In fact, Richie Mo'unga is backing himself here. He's got a decent breeze behind him.

18TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL ALL BLACKS: Richie Mo'unga adds the three to put NZ in front.

19TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: Oh dear, it's a bad mistake by Tom Banks who's knocked on from a kick return. All Blacks have the scrum just outside the Wallabies' 22.

20TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: All Blacks win the scrum penalty and it's right out in front.

21ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL ALL BLACKS: Richie Mo'unga adds his second penalty.

22ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): David Havili returns the kickoff. The Wallabies have a half chance to break away but kick into the All Blacks' goal line - line dropout.

24TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Penalty to Australia for offside. Noah Lolesio will line up his first goal.

25TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL MISS: Lolesio's penalty is sailed wide and away to the right - it remains 6 - 0.

26TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): All Blacks showing some attacking intent here as they bring it beyond halfway.

27TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Turnover Wallabies - brilliant work at the breakdown by none other than Michael Hooper.

PENALTY: Penalty All Blacks! They win the breakdown for holding on (Not releasing ball), Richie Mo'unga will line up another goal. The kick is 45m on the angle.

28TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL ALL BLACKS: Beautiful strike from Mo'unga as he nails his toughest kick of the night so far.

29TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: David Havili's return kick is charged down from the kickoff and the All Blacks have to scramble it into touch. Wallabies have attacking ball here, and they win a penalty for a high shot (Dangerous tackle) by Brodie Retallick. Lolesio will have another crack at the posts.

31ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY GOAL WALLABIES: Lolesio nails it from a handy position and Australia are on the board.

33RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The All Blacks have a lineout just inside their own half. Richie Mo'unga makes a half break and puts Akira Ioane in a gap - but the Wallabies shut it down and the ball is in touch.

34TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Line out is good again from the Wallabies and the All Blacks are caught offside (Never onside). Avoidable penalties these being conceded by New Zealand.

35TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY WALLABIES: Wow! Australia throw over the top of the lineout and break straight through the All Blacks backline - left wing Andrew Kellaway scores!

38TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), CONVERSION MISS: Noah Lolesio misses the conversion and it remains 9 - 8.

PENALTY: Penalty for offside - Michael Hooper was in front of his kicker and the All Blacks have a penalty from a handy position.

39TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Sam Whitelock says no to a gift three points - he wants a try and opts for the lineout.

40TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): It's a massive rolling maul that's collapsed and the All Blacks break away. Edging closer here through pick-and-go.

TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: Sevu Reece has found himself in the forward pack and scores off a pick-and-go! That could be crucial in the context of this game, scoring right on half time. Richie Mo'unga adds the two.

HALF TIME

7:50 PM: Well, the All Blacks go to the break with a decent lead but it was a far from convincing half - from both teams for that matter.

Both sides had opportunities and failed to capitalize through unforced errors. The key for the Wallabies here could be that all-important breeze behind them in the second half.

One gets the feeling penalty goals may be a deciding factor in this one - and both teams have two secret kicking weapons on the bench; Jordie Barrett for the All Blacks and Reece Hodge for the Wallabies.

8:00 PM: Both teams are back on Eden Park. No changes for either side.

SECOND HALF

40TH MINUTE, PENALTY: The All Blacks kick off and straight away concede their eighth penalty at the breakdown - not the start coach Ian Foster would have wanted.

42ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Wallabies have a scrum on the All Blacks' 10m line - their first opportunity of the second half.

43RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Wallabies have the ball but the All Blacks' defence is solid, forcing Australia to kick. It will be a defensive line out for New Zealand inside their 22.

44TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): All Blacks line out is good...just. They should be able to exit here.

45TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), WHAT A TRY TO THE ALL BLACKS! They go 100m and Sevu Reece has a double, started by a Richie Mo'unga break right on his own goal line. Outstanding.

TMO REFERRAL: Hold fire - we have a TMO referral here for a forward pass.

46TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), NO TRY: What would have been one of the great All Black tries is ruled out by a forward pass. A pass from Aaron Smith to Brodie Retallick during the attack is deemed to be forward.

48TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Oh how the tide turns. The Wallabies win the scrum penalty and Noah Lolesio is going to line up a goal from 50m.

49TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL MISS: Lolesio drags it left...these misses proving crucial for the Wallabies. Richie Mo'unga drops out from the 22.

50TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Wallabies have attacking ball, but again All Blacks' defence is solid.

51ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS & CONVERSION: It's an intercept from Richie Mo'unga, who runs 80m with no problems! The lead is now substantial for the All Blacks as Mo'unga converts his own try.

53RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Substitution for the All Blacks as Karl Tu'inukuafe replaces George Bower in the front row.

54TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: All Blacks with the ball deep inside their own half, they avoid kicking and have lost the ball. Possibly playing for territory would've been the best option there.

56TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: All Blacks win the scrum penalty and it's quickly taken by Damien McKenzie, who's smartly run into a Wallabies player who wasn't back the 10m. The pressure is relieved as NZ now have an attacking line out.

57TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The line out is good and they go on the attack again the All Blacks. Looking good here and under a penalty advantage.

58TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS: What a pass by the centurion Aaron Smith! He goes wide to David Havili who touches down in the corner.

59TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION MISS: The conversion is wide from Richie Mo'unga.

60TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The kickoff is taken by the All Blacks and Aaron Smith returns with a box kick.

62ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM, PENALTY & SUBSTITUTION: The Wallabies knock on and concede a penalty at scrum time - the All Blacks kick for touch. Meanwhile, Jordie Barrett is on for Sevu Reece and Samisoni Taukei'aho is on for Codie Taylor.

63RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): More attacking ball here for the All Blacks as they make their way inside the 5m line.

64TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ALL BLACKS, CONVERSION MISS & SUBSTITUTION: They've all of a sudden put this game all but beyond reach, as Damian McKenzie crosses in the corner. Richie Mo'unga's missed conversion will be his last act of the game, who is replaced by Beauden Barrett.

66TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The Wallabies have an attacking lineout deep inside the All Blacks' 22. Can they salvage something from this game?

67TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY & SUBSTITUTION: Penalty Wallabies 5m out - and they set up a line out. Meanwhile, Akira Ioane is replaced by Luke Jacobson for the All Blacks.

68TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY WALLABIES: Nicely worked score from Australia, they persist with pressure in the forwards before moving it wide to their fullback Tom Banks.

70TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), CONVERSION MISS: Noah Lolesio misses the conversion again. It's been forgetful night with the boot for him.

71ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SUBSTITUTION: Aaron Smith's 100th All Blacks' game comes to an end, replaced by Brad Weber. A special performance from a special player.

72ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM: The Wallabies have the ball on halfway - starting to play with some real intent but they lose the ball. All Blacks' scrum it will be.

73RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Great scrum from the Wallabies and they win a penalty from it.

74TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY WALLABIES: A great confidence booster for Noah Lolesio who threads a beautiful grubber, it's chased by Tom Banks who dives on it in for his second try.

76TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY: Penalty Wallabies. It's been a reoccuring theme this for the All Blacks, conceding a penalty straight off the kickoff - something they'll want to cut out for Bledisloe II.

77TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: The Wallabies finishing strongly here. A break from Tom Banks brings them inside the All Blacks' 22, and they win a penalty for offside.

78TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Attacking line out for the Wallabies, can they score three tries in a row.

79TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: The Wallabies illegally seal the ball off (Off feet) at the breakdown and the All Blacks have the penalty.

80TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Silly stuff there from the All Blacks...they have a lineout but their backs move inside the 10m radius until the line out is complete. Wallabies penalty now and they tap and go.

81ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY: Another penalty for the Wallabies and a 5m lineout.

82ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY WALLABIES & CONVERSION: They make it 3 consecutive tries as replacement hooker Jordan Uelese scores! Lolesio finally nails a conversion.

FULL TIME: So the All Blacks take the win but I don't think either side will be overly happy with their performances.

The All Blacks lacked discipline and it was the Wallabies who finished the much stronger side, scoring the last three tries. All to play for in Bledisloe II at the same place, same time next week.

ALL BLACKS 33 (Sevu Reece, Richie Mo'unga, David Havili, Damien McKenzie tries, Mo'unga 2 con, 3 pens)

WALLABIES 25 (Andrew Kellaway, Tom Banks 2 tries, Noah Lolesio con, pen)

And in other rugby news such as the world champion Springboks side complete the objective in which they won the test series 2 - 1 against the British & Irish Lions by 6 points in the 3rd & deciding test at Cape Town after being 1 - 0 down in the series (They had to win both tests in a row against the Lions to win the test series) but their next match is against Argentina in the opening match of the 2021 Rugby Championship (Which is back a year after South Africa had been withdrawn from the Rugby Championship due to fears of the corona virus meaning that the southern hemisphere competition had become the Tri Nations with Argentina, Australia & New Zealand had taken part).

And finally the Olympic Games in Tokyo is all but over after the closing ceremony had taken place (Dame Valerie Adams was our flag bearer at the closing ceremony) meaning that the next summer Olympics is in Paris, France in 3 years time (And we have 20 medals now in the Tokyo Olympics, the most successful ever with 7 golds, 6 silver & 7 bronze with New Zealand golfer Lydia Ko (Who was the silver medalist in Rio in 2016) picking up the bronze in the women's golf).

So that is my 445th blog of the year 2021 (MMXXI) & my 45th of this year.

Friday, 6 August 2021

All Blacks team naming against the Wallabies for Bledisloe I (2021 edition) + Tokyo Olympics update

Well, the All Blacks have named their team 2 days ago according to coach Ian Foster in the highly anticipated 1st Bledisloe Cup test as well as our 1st real test against the strong & much improved Wallabies side (Our last meeting between both sides was last year at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane during the Tri Nations in which the Wallabies won the test (The last time the All Blacks defeated the Wallabies was 9 months ago last year in the opening Tri Nations match as well as the 3rd Bledisloe Cup test in which they put the biggest winning margin that New Zealand has had against Australia in 24 years but Sam Whitelock's 100% winning record as skipper of the All Blacks is on the line tonight) despite being a man short after Wallaby back rower Lachlan Swinton got sent off for a dangerous tackle on All Black second rower Sam Whitelock along with the All Blacks who had AB's prop forward Ofa Tu'ungafasi (Who was the 5th different All Black to be shown the red card in a test match (And that is why because of the match referees are clamping down those head high tackle laws which was introduced in 2017) along with the late Cyril Brownlie, the late Sir Colin Meads, Sonny Bill Williams & Scott Barrett) red carded as well for causing a high tackle on Wallaby winger Tom Wright but a late yellow card by All Black second rower Scott Barrett cost the All Blacks a chance of winning the most recent Bledisloe Cup test that had taken place) at Eden Park (Home ground of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman champions, the Blues in Super Rugby & the Auckland provincial team competing in the Bunnings NPC but remember the AB's have never lost at this ground since 1994 when France came there & took victory (Including French player Philippe Saint-Andre scored the winning try that was dubbed the try from the end of the world (And if the Wallabies win, it would be the end of the damn world as we know it) & also that the Wallabies had last tasted success at Eden Park which was in 1986 in which they knocked over the AB's & they haven't beaten them since but the All Blacks have never lost a test match since last years Tri Nations match against Argentina in an historic upset in Sydney) fresh off from their test series win against France last month on Australian soil in Auckland (Which will host back to back tests since New Zealand's capital, Wellington, couldn't afford to host Bledisloe II due to Wellington hit hard by issues caused by the corona virus because of the closure of the Trans-Tasman travel bubble according to the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern meaning that Australia have been hit by troubles caused by COVID-19) in what was to be All Black halfback Aaron Smith's 100th test so here is the starting lineup in it's entirety:

PLAYING XV

FORWARD PACK

FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): George Bower (Crusaders/Otago)
2 (Hooker): Codie Taylor (Crusaders/Canterbury)
3 (Tight head prop): Nepo Laulala (Blues/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): Akira Ioane (Blues/Auckland)
7 (Open side flanker): Dalton Papali'i (Blues/Counties Manukau)
8 (Number 8): Ardie Savea (Hurricanes/Wellington)

BACK LINE

HALVES
9 (Half-back): Aaron Smith (Highlanders/Manawatu)
10 (First five-eighth): Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders/Canterbury)

MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth): David Havili (Crusaders/Tasman)
13 (Centre): Anton Lienert-Brown (Chiefs/Waikato)

OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): Rieko Ioane (Blues/Auckland)
14 (Right wing): Sevu Reece (Crusaders/Tasman)
& 15 (Fullback): Damian McKenzie (Chiefs/Waikato)

And in the reserves are:

16. Dane Coles (Who returns to the side after recovering from an injury that ruled him out in the 2nd & final test against Fiji in Hamilton)
17. Karl Tu'inukuafe (Who returns to the side from an injury to replace Ethan de Groot)
18. Angus Ta'avao
19. Scott Barrett (Who is dropped to the bench to cover at the second row position replacing Brodie Retallick who is elevated to the starting lineup to partner Sam Whitelock at the starting second row position)
20. Luke Jacobson (Who is also dropped to the bench to replace Shannon Frizell)
21. Brad Weber
22. Beauden Barrett
& 23. Jordie Barrett (Who returns to replace Rieko Ioane to cover at the utility back position with Ioane elevated to the starting lineup to start on the left wing side)

And in other rugby news such as the 3rd & deciding test at Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town with both the world champion Springboks side & the British & Irish Lions looking to close out the series in style with the series all square & are tied at 1 - 1 (Although the Springboks go into the match as favourites (2 years before South Africa's primary objective is to defend the Rugby World Cup title in France in 2023 that they won in Japan in 2019) looking to end the Lions hopes of winning the test series for the 1st time since 2013 (4 years have been passed since the test series between the All Blacks & the British & Irish Lions had ended in a draw) when they defeated Australia in a test series & in 1997 against the Springboks in which the last time the Lions triumphed & tasted success of winning the test series).

And finally there has been an update at the Olympics in Tokyo with New Zealand kayak specialist Lisa Carrington becoming our country's most successful Olympian with 5 gold medals & a bronze medal overall to her tally after dominating in the K1 200m event as well as the K2 500m event with her new partner Caitlin Regal & the K1 500m event on her own but we have now won 7 gold medals in Tokyo (The most successful Olympics to date during the modern era & 2nd most successful (And we're 1 shy of the previous best with most number of gold medals won by New Zealand at 8 in Los Angeles 1984) but there was a silver medal to dual America's Cup champions with Emirates Team New Zealand, Peter Burling & Blair Tuke after the British duo pipped them in the last minute to snatch gold from them & there was bronze to shot putter Tom Walsh after he was unable to topple the American duo of both silver medalist Joe Kovacs & now twice gold medalist Ryan Crouser (It is the same as in Rio 2016) but we are now 11th of the medal table (The People's Republic of China top the medal table just ahead of the Americans) ahead of the Canadians & behind the French not only because we have just won 19 medals (7 golds, 6 silvers & 6 bronzes) at the Tokyo Olympics so far (The most successful Olympic games because New Zealand have just broken the record with the highest medal tally at the Olympics).

So that is my 444th blog of the year 2021 (MMXXI) & my 44th of this year.

Sunday, 1 August 2021

The Tokyo Olympics special report

Well, onto the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan with a news report as New Zealand win their 1st gold medal at Tokyo with Whanganui's own Kerri Gowler & her pairs partner Grace Prendergast in the rowing women's pair followed by Emma Twigg (Who missed out not once but twice in both London & Rio de Janeiro & I mean, how appropriate that she finally became the Olympic champion) in the women's single sculls rowing event then the men's eight led by Hamish Bond (Who won his 3rd gold medal after dominating in both London & Rio with his former pairs partner Eric Murray) & finally the Black Ferns sevens with Sarah Hirini at the helm did have the chance of redemption to right the wrongs as a proud rugby nation by finally winning gold 5 years after missing out in Rio against Australia in the gold medal match in the women's rugby sevens event after comprehensively beaten France in the gold medal match while the silver medalists are Brooke Donoghue & Hannah Osborne in the women's double single sculls as well as the All Blacks sevens in the men's rugby sevens after missing out on the gold by the hands of the Fijians & of course, the women's eight featuring Kerri Gowler, Prendergast & 7 others (It was the Canadians who edged the Kiwis to win gold) & bronze went to Hayden Wilde in the men's triathlon followed by Marcus Daniell & Michael Venus in the men's doubles tennis then Dylan Schmidt in the men's gymnastics trampoline & Dame Valerie Adams in the athletics women's shot put which took place recently.

And rugby news just come in as the defending world champions the Springboks put on a clinical display by winning the 2nd test against the British & Irish Lions side who ran out of steam after South Africa scored 21 unanswered points (Who were 6 - 9 down in the 1st half) including Rugby World Cup winning Springbok player Makazole Mapimpi who was the man of the moment to force a decider going into the 3rd & final test of the test series.

So that is my 443rd blog of the year 2021 (MMXXI) & my 43rd of this year.