Always/Down/Edging: My 24th & final blog of the year 2022

Well, Merry Christmas everyone (It's happening in 2 days time) to you all for the millions spending time at home here in New Zealand, & the billions from all around the world tuning into this Christmas blog special, but news straight out of America a few weeks ago as the former US president Donald Trump (Who is in the middle of a scandal about the raids had taken place that his documents had been seized) in his home at Mar-El-Lago in Florida has announced that he's going to run for president again to challenge the current US president Joe Biden in 2024, but let's hope he doesn't rebound from his 2020 US election defeat against him (And they passed a new law recently therefore stopping another January 6th in the aftermath of the events of early last year where the Capitol insurrection riots had taken place in a last ditch bid to overturn the result of the election in 2020).

And listening to those rock tunes reminds me of my youth days growing up from the 90s until today (And I'm 31 now because of me tuning in to my favourite radio station of Brian FM (But I listen to The Rock FM only on Saturday nights when it's ad free until I go to bed) that I listen every day) but seeing a Football World Cup game on television reminds me of watching a good rugby match on TV when I told Pops about it before & the Football World Cup final is like a title fight of a wrestling match (Which is sorta like a rock concert vibe) at a main event of Wrestlemania (The WWE's flagship premier event) in fact as well as a most important rock concert that a big name band like both the Red Hot Chili Peppers & the Foo Fighters is performing.

And in rugby news such as the Wallabies down Wales in one of the greatest comebacks in rugby history at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff while the current Rugby World Cup holders the Springboks, managed to overcome a red card to dispatch England at Twickenham in London in the last international rugby test of the year in Eddie Jones's last game as coach of the England rugby team.

And there's a cricket related fact as I mentioned in my previous blogs that the only time England (Whose plans of winning this years tournament began after a semifinal loss against New Zealand in last years T20 World Cup in Abu Dhabi) had lost a 2022 T20 World Cup match before winning the tournament against Pakistan in the final at the MCG to become the 1st men's national cricket team to become the holders of both the 50 over & 20 over World Cups was against Ireland who had an upset win according to the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern system method but the latest on the cricket as Black Caps player Kane Williamson is moving on from the captaincy in the test format as he deals from an elbow injury which limited him from playing big shots, allowing experienced veteran Tim Southee to take the captaincy in the test format instead of Tom Latham as New Zealand go into both the test & ODI series against Pakistan on Pakistani soil including the Boxing Day test which is happening from the 26th to the 30th of December in Karachi.

And in COVID-19 related news such as there has been a setback in our country of New Zealand which has gone from bad to worse as 40,000 confirmed cases have been reported recently as well as a numerous number of persons passed away (And life is just a little messed up but when will we bring back the restrictions? If there is more than 100,000 (But we're still declaring war on the corona virus here in New Zealand), just like in China that there is a zero COVID-19 framework still in place as peaceful protests had occurred in the country about it still affected by the pandemic since it began in early November 2019 with the 1st confirmed case of the corona virus occurred at a Huanan fish market in Wuhan, 4 months before the world changed/altered (And that would've been that tragic event unfolded throughout my generation but we managed to survive in our country while the UK has sent out a Christmas roll out warning by the National Health Service about the corona virus due to 5,000 or 6,000 confirmed cases being reported with 10,000 likely to end up getting hospitalized by the end of the year if things continue to escalate by picking up the disease & something like India has a vaccination policy in place as well as bringing back the mask mandate rulings since China's opened their borders up with India due to the high amount of confirmed cases) just like the events of the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States of America in 2001 (A year before the establishment & foundation of the Department of Homeland Security in direct response to 9/11, but it's worse than the events of Pearl Harbor in 1941 during World War II when the Americans declared war on the Axis, V-Day in 1945 when World War II ended in Europe & the assassinations of both US President John F Kennedy in 1963 by a gunman named Lee Harvey Oswald who was gunned down by Jack Ruby which resulted security being stepped up at courts nationwide throughout America following that serious incident & American civil rights leader Dr Martin Luther King Jr in 1968) as the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic where everything had to be stopped when it started to spread).

And finally here are the results of the 2022 Football World Cup games being played:

Wales 0 - 2 IR Iran (And it was the Iranians who came away with a win by scoring 2 late goals in the aftermath of a red card to Welsh goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey for a foul play incident in which he thought was going to get booked according to the video assistant referee)

Qatar 1 - 3 Senegal (And the Senegalese who are without their star talisman of Sadio Mane through a serious injury pushed the host nation to bits)

Netherlands 1 - 1 Ecuador (It was the Dutch who put themselves in front & on track to win the game until Ecuador equalized ending Holland's hopes for another victory before the match had ended in a draw)

England 0 - 0 USA (And I thought England were going to dominate the game but it didn't as the Americans were oh so competitive according to Pops when both sides were held out to a goal less draw meaning that the Americans continue the trend of having never been beaten by the English)

Tunisia 0 - 1 Australia (And it was the Socceroos 1st win at a Football World Cup since 2010 against Serbia in which they tore the Tunisians apart)

Poland 2 - 0 Saudi Arabia (It has all been Poland (Who recovered after that nail biting draw against Mexico) in which they won that contest against the giant killing Saudis who shocked the world which turned the football world upside down with a memorable as well as an historic upset win of the tournament against the Argy Bargies but to steal the game for Saudi Arabia in one of the most victories in the history of sport, not just in the game of football).

France 2 - 1 Denmark (And it was the defending world champions time to shine as they would finally beat Denmark at a Football World Cup for the first time since 1998 to secure a place in the round of 16 with star talisman Kylian Mbappe scoring 2 fantastic goals (Including the match winner from him after Denmark had to equalize) that won them the game)

& Argentina 2 - 0 Mexico (It was the Lionel Messi led Argentina's day as they rebounded from a landmark defeat against Saudi Arabia to down Mexico on that occasion with their aspirations of making the knockout stages, well in truly alive)

UPDATED

Japan 0 - 1 Costa Rica (It was the Costa Ricans day after being annhiliated by the Spanish by 7 goals in the previous game, as they manhandle the Japanese who unable to follow up from their upset win against Germany)

Belgium 0 - 2 Morocco (And another upset was on the cards as Morocco stun Belgium in which they turned the football world upside down compared to Japan pulling the grand daddy of them all, by knocking over Germany but the Saudis shock win over the Argentinians was better because it was the standout for me in the mother of all upsets)

Croatia 4 - 1 Canada (And it was Croatia who recovered after a draw against Morocco to secure a hiding over Canada (Who took the lead in the 1st half before the Croatians overturned a 1 goal deficit to score 4 unanswered goals) to comprehensively win the game)

Spain 1 - 1 Germany (And there was a drawn game between both sides after Spain scored first during the 2nd half with Alvaro Morata before the man who replaced the injured Timo Werner before the tournament of Niclas Fuellkrug who equalized, ending Spain's hopes of a victory (And it was during the 1st half that one of the German defenders of Antonio Ruediger who thought he scored a goal to put them in the lead, only to be denied as the offside line had been breached/broken) allowing Germany to keep hopes of making the knockouts alive)

Cameroon 3 - 3 Serbia (It was a draw at the end after 6 goals had been scored in the match so far (3 from both sides including the Cameroonians who had staged a tremendous fightback)

Korea Republic 2 - 3 Ghana (And it was the Ghanaians night after they scored a match winning goal by staving of elimination in a thriller to put them in front & held on until the end (And one of the coaches of Korea Republic had been shockingly sent off by the referee for illegally saying something in front of the ref after the South Koreans had thought that they could take a corner in their hopes of drawing the game, but they ran out of time)

Brazil 1 - 0 Switzerland (And the Brazilians (Who were without their star talisman Neymar as he is ruled out of this game through injury) finally had a win against the Swiss after a draw had happened between both sides in 2018 to become the 2nd side after the reigning world champions France to reach the knockout stages (Casemiro was the lone goal scorer in the game while there was a goal scored by Vinicius Jr earlier in the 2nd half but the referee had overturned the decision according to the VAR to no goal as a result of an offside by Vinicius (And many thoughts are about the VAR policing the offside line if a goal is scored when the referee is able to check the matter due to the introduction of the automated offside law made by the video assistant referee)

& Portugal 2 - 0 Uruguay (And it was the Portuguese time to shine to become the 3rd team after both France & Brazil to reach the Round of 16 after their victory against Uruguay, exacting revenge from 4 years ago in the Round of 16 game in 2018 including a penalty (In which the referee had to go to the video assistant referee by checking for a possible handball by Uruguay (I thought it wasn't a handball to start with, which was deemed a bit controversial) in which the ref had successfully awarded a penalty which went in the way of Portugal) scored by Bruno Fernandes who got his second goal in the match)

So that is my 476th blog of the year 2022 (MMXXII) & my 24th of this year, stay safe & one love, viva Ukraine (And I just wanted to say happy holidays & also wishing you a happy new year so thank you for all of my support covering my blogs this year, bring on 2023! (And my final thoughts on my blog this year before I wrap it up? That's it man! Game over man, game over!).

P.S. And the rugby world is in mourning as former Scottish rugby union player Doddie Weir has passed away after a lengthy battle of MND at age 52 so all thoughts, prayers & condolences got to the family of Doddie Weir, rest in pieces/rest easy (And he joins the likes of numerous celebs who have passed away such as the Australian cricket trio of Rod Marsh, Shane Warne (Who as I mentioned in my previous blogs as the finest cricketer of that generation) & Andrew Symonds, a duo of American Hollywood film stars of Sidney Poitier & William Hurt, a pair of New Zealand rugby union players of Inga Tuigamala & Joeli Vidiri, American rock star drummer & Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Taylor Hawkins of the famous American rock band, the Foo Fighters (Who are now down to 5 survivors such as Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett & Rami Jaffee), the former Japanese Prime Minister of Shinzo Abe, the former Australian actress who starred with John Travolta in the 1976 movie Grease, Olivia Newton-John, the Tongan rugby player as well as reowned broadcaster Willie Lose, & last but not least, Her Majesty the Queen of Queen Elizabeth II (Who was the longest serving monarch which lasted for 70 years until her son, His Majesty King Charles III had taken over) & now the famous American boxing referee & court judge of Mills Lane who passed away most recently (And I hadn't mentioned that famous Hollywood actor of Italian American Ray Liotta passing away in May).

Doddie Weir

1970 - 2022

And last but not least, I'd like to give a shout-out to one of Pops friends from the Bretagne region in France of Wai Lam, Wai Lam's wife & Clement (Son of Wai Lam) whose staying here at our place from the 20th of December until Christmas eve (Which is the day before the big day known as the real thing which is Christmas (But my favourite part of Christmas is opening the presents just because I feel like a young kid eh, am I right?).

Capricorn (A Brand New Name)/Edge Of The Earth/Exhausted: My 23rd blog of the year 2022

Well, something has gone wrong from bad to worse as China (Whose nation had been affected by the pandemic since it began in 2019 at a Huanan fish market in Wuhan which has a zero COVID-19 framework in hand towards it as well as a travel ban to most countries around the world) records the 1st death caused by the corona virus in 6 months (And they have cancelled the Chinese Grand Prix next year due to the extended COVID-19 shutdown measures being in place) unlike the confirmed number of cases count has reached over 24,000 here in New Zealand but I'm not sure whether we'll bring back the restrictions related to the corona virus such as the mask mandate rulings if there's too many people who pick up the disease compared to Canada where they're about to bring back the mask mandate restrictions due to the high number of confirmed COVID-19 cases but there's over 27,000 now here in New Zealand since it reported as of the 28th of November because once again our country has declared war on the corona virus (And picking up COVID-19 is like getting shot from a gun).

And leading our sports news in this blog but 1st it's the rugby as the match between England & the AB's has ended in a draw at Twickenham in London after the All Blacks dominated the match until a yellow card by one of the New Zealand players of Beauden Barrett proved costly as England had staged a tremendous fight back to keep them back in the contest but one of the English players of Marcus Smith had decided to kick the ball out after the 80 minutes had been expired meaning that the fans weren't happy about the result (And I was gutted that our hopes for victory against the English had been derailed by a sin binning by easily one of our best players of Beauden Barrett resulting in the match being drawn after a dramatic comeback staged by England to end our year but at least we did not lose that test which is good but Sam Whitelock should never captain the All Blacks again (And I mean get over it, that is disgraceful) according to ex-rugby coach Jim Telfer when he spoke to Martin Devlin on the phone on the New Zealand talk show radio station Newstalk ZB) while Ireland have stunned the Wallabies (Who have only just one win in the tour which was against Scotland then 3 heartbreaking losses against France, Italy & now Ireland) in an dramatic but epic test at the Aviva Stadium (Which has opened in 2010 to replace the old Lansdowne Road) in Dublin then Georgia claim the upset of the weekend as they mow Wales down in Cardiff before Portugal (Who haven't been to a tournament since their debut at a Rugby World Cup in 2007) becoming the last side to qualify in next year's RWC after their win against the United States (The last time the Americans didn't make it to the Rugby World Cup was in 1995 after they appeared in the 1st 2 tournaments in both 1987 & 1991 & have appeared from 1999 until the most recent tournament in 2019) who miss out on a place in the RWC during the qualifying tournament of who'll make it to France 2023 (And next years Rugby World Cup tournament will be the 1st in history without a North American side involved (And for the 1st time in the tournament's 36 year history that a rugby playing nation from North America, won't be in the RWC).

And news straight out of the Rugby League World Cup as Australia claim their record extending 12th title, ending Samoa's hopes of a fairytale Rugby League World Cup glory finish in the final at Old Trafford in Manchester, England as the Kangaroos dominated the game from start to finish (And it's great that the Pacific island nation of Samoa are in the final after their historic upset victory over England in the 2nd semifinal in another one of the greatest games in the RLWC but it wasn't to be as they missed out on becoming world champions in the sport of rugby league (Which is the national sport in Papua New Guinea), for the very 1st time meaning that the Aussies dominance in the Rugby League World Cup continues) as they held off a Samoan challenge during the final (And it has been all Australia as they successfully complete a threepeat in which they have dominated the tournament since 2013) to succesfully defend the Rugby League World Cup.

And finally in Football World Cup news such as Ecuador have beaten hosts Qatar (Who became the 1st side to lose an opening match as the host nation of the Football World Cup in a record that had to stand for 92 years that a host nation would never lose an opening game of the World Cup (And they would always win or draw the Football World Cup opener stretching from 1930 until 2018) 2 - 0 to open proceedings after the Ecuadorian captain (Whose earlier goal had been denied as a result of the Ecuadorian skipper being adjudged to be in an offside position according to the VAR) scored an opening goal with a penalty then got another goal during the match before leaving the field with an injury just before they tasted victory over the Qataris but here are the results of the other World Cup games being played:

England 6 - 2 IR Iran (It was the English who ran away with a hammering over the Iranians to start their campaign)

Senegal 0 - 2 Netherlands (It's Holland's first World Cup match since their third placing against Brazil in 2014 where they got of to a promising start in which they scored 2 late goals to come away with the win)

USA 1 - 1 Wales (It was the United States (That was their 1st game at a World Cup since their Round of 16 defeat against Belgium in 2014) who took the lead during the game until a Gareth Bale penalty for the Welsh (Who also played their 1st game at a Football World Cup since their quarterfinal loss against the eventual champions Brazil in 1958), ended the Americans chances for victory)

Argentina 1 - 2 Saudi Arabia (And yes that game was by far, the biggest boil over in the history of the Football World Cup during modern times or should I say during the modern era (Compared to & better than Korea Republic's win over Germany in 2018 in the last group game where the defending champions at the time, were eliminated from the tournament) where Argentina led 1 - 0 but had their 3 goals disallowed due to offside then the Saudi Arabians took control of the 2nd half by scoring both unanswered goals & held on until the very end in which they shocked the football world by claiming the 1st upset of the 2022 tournament (And only once in Football World Cup history that a side went on to win the tournament in style after losing the opening group game & that honor belongs to Spain (Who lost to the Swiss in the opening match of the 2010 tournament (And it was during the game that the Spanish defence were unable to stop the speedy Swiss player Gelson Fernandes who was in to score) before winning all 6 to win the World Cup including the final against the Netherlands in which Andres Iniesta scored that infamous game winning goal during extra time) in 2010 (Just like South Africa did at the 2019 Rugby World Cup that they became the 1st side to successfully win the tournament after losing the opening game which was against New Zealand) who did it in 2010)

Denmark 0 - 0 Tunisia (It was the 1st goal less draw of the tournament at the end where no side had even scored a single goal)

Mexico 0 - 0 Poland (And also that no team has ever scored a goal in which the group game had ended in a goal less draw (And that's the 2nd in this years World Cup but Poland have been given the penalty during the match for a Mexican player who caused the foul on a Polish player, inside the penalty area moments before Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa denying Poland's captain, Robert Lewandowski a chance of scoring that penalty to put them in front during the contest)

& France 4 - 1 Australia (And it was Australia who took the lead before the defending world champions scored 4 unanswered goals to kick start their title defence that they won in 2018 in Russia)

UPDATED

Morocco 0 - 0 Croatia (It was a draw at the end between both sides in the 3rd goal less draw of this year's tournament)

Germany 1 - 2 Japan (And another superb upset compared to the Argentina-Saudi Arabia clash, this time by the Japanese over the Germans in an incredible contest for the ages in which a country from the Asian continent claimed another scalp over Germany)

Spain 7 - 0 Costa Rica (And it was the Spanish who thrash the poor old Costa Ricans in a blowout in which they did not see that one coming)

Belgium 1 - 0 Canada (And of course the Belgians who appeared to be down & out after they gave away a penalty until they made a save by their star goalie Thibaut Courtois before Belgium ran away with a win with a goal scored by Michy Batshuayi)

Switzerland 1 - 0 Cameroon (Well, it was the Swiss who dismantled the Cameroonians by the barest of margins)

Uruguay 0 - 0 Korea Republic (And it turns out to be a goalless draw between both sides in a rematch of the Round of 16 game in 2010)

Portugal 3 - 2 Ghana (It was the Portuguese time to shine as they win a Football World Cup match against Ghana in their 1st meeting between the 2 countries at a World Cup since 2014)

& Brazil 2 - 0 Serbia (And also that the Brazilians got off to a flyer as they produce magic by securing a 2 goal win against the Serbians in their 1st game between both nations at a World Cup since their last meeting in 2018 in their bid of chasing a record extending 6th Football World Cup championship for the Brazilians)

So that is my 475th blog of the year 2022 (MMXXII) & my 23rd of this year, stay safe & one love, viva Ukraine.

Lift Me Up/Restless Heart Syndrome/Wet Dream/Gimme Gimme: My 22nd blog of the year 2022

Well, in Football World Cup news as Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo (Who is the team captain in the Portuguese national side but he is due to leave Man United as a result of a breach of contract mainly because of him being unwanted by the club according to manager/coach Erik ten Haag that they want him out) has made the cut to be part of the Portugal squad for this year's Football World Cup in Qatar (And that'll be his 5th & possibly his final Football World Cup appearance (He joins the likes of both Mexicans of Antonio Carbajal & Rafael Marquez, a German of Lothar Matthaus & possibly, Paris-Saint Germain's Lionel Messi (A teammate of Neymar who plays for the proud footballing nation of the 5 time world champions Brazil (The tournament favourites & the number 1 ranked team in the world who had never tasted Football World Cup glory/success since 2002 & are gunning for a record extending 6th title) since he made his debut in 2006 when the tournament was held in Germany but he had scored 117 goals for his country & leading his side to both the Euro 2016 & 2019 UEFA Nations League titles (And as I mentioned before in my previous blogs that it'll be his last chance of Football World Cup glory along with his great rival from Argentina (Champions of the Finalissima this year after rolling the defending European Champions Italy (One of the biggest football playing nations who are not in the Football World Cup in Qatar this year as I mentioned in my previous blogs after that devastating defeat against North Macedonia in the UEFA World Cup qualifier semifinal which crashed back to earth after being feted as national heroes when they had a successful Euro 2020 campaign which ended in glory) in a match billed as the best of South America, taking on the best of Europe) led by its star captain, Lionel Messi (Who is having his last chance of Football World Cup glory along with Cristiano Ronaldo & is set to retire from international football after the tournament) with Portugal being drawn in Group H along with Ghana (Led out by Thomas Partey of English club Arsenal in which Portugal haven't fought against the Ghanaians since 2014), Uruguay (Who'll have Atletico Madrid's Luis Suarez & Real Madrid's Federico Valverde in company in which the Portuguese infamously lost the match against the Uruguayans last time out in 2018 in the Round of 16) & Korea Republic (With Spurs player Son Heung-min at the helm of the team in which the Portuguese haven't played against them since 20 years ago way back in 2002) & also Dani Alves (Who missed the last World Cup as a result of an injury) of Brazil (Who are drawn in Group G along with Serbia (In which Brazil had a win in 2018 with Dusan Tadic of Dutch club Ajax being Serbia's main talisman), Switzerland (Who failed to beat them after the group match in 2018 ended in a draw with Borussia Moenchengladbach's Yann Sommer being the main man for the Swiss) & Cameroon (Who last appeared at a Football World Cup back in 2014 along with Ecuador, Ghana, the Netherlands & the USA but the star man for the Cameroonians is Andre Onana of Italian club Inter Milan) has made it into the squad to prepare for the tournament but Liverpool's Roberto Firmino (Who was part of the Brazil squad in 2018) didn't make it after being overlooked by the national team selectors.

And in rugby news that there's rumours or should I say, reports of a pre-Rugby World Cup test match at Twickenham in London is all but being confirmed between the traditional rivals of the 3 time RWC champions the All Blacks & the defending 3 time world champions the Springboks of South Africa in a heavyweight clash which is a rematch of the 2015 Rugby World Cup semifinal (Which was won by New Zealand) at Twickenham which is the last test match before the Rugby World Cup, a fortnight out until next year's RWC in France where the host nation will play the AB's in the opening match of the tournament.

And continuing onto that football stuff that I have a heap of my favourite Football World Cup memories not involving New Zealand (But my favourite Football World Cup memory involving the All Whites was in 2010 in which we went through our campaign undefeated after all 3 group games against Slovakia, Italy & Paraguay, had ended in a draw but we didn't go through to the round of 16 in the knockout stages) was Germany's hammering over hosts at the time of Brazil (Who are without Neymar through injury & their captain at the time of Thiago Silva as a result of a suspension) in the semifinal in 2014 (That was before Germany went on to win their most recent Football World Cup after Mario Goetze's heroics by scoring a goal to put them in front in the final against Argentina (Their last appearance in a World Cup final & the last side from South America to reach the final) including that great assist by one of the German players of Andre Schurrle to create an amazing goal scored by Goetze & held on until the very end) & Korea Republic knocking the defending champions at the time of the Germans out of the Football World Cup which shocked the world in 2018 in Russia in which the people of Germany were stunned that they could not go through to the knockout stages (And also a special but honorable mention of the incident during the 2nd period of extra time involving Frenchman Zinedine Zidane who headbutted Italian Marco Materazzi during the World Cup final back in 2006 moments before the Fabio Cannavaro led Italy last triumphed in football's biggest prize on penalties) as well as France winning both Football World Cup titles in 1998 (Including Zidane's double which both came off headers from corner kicks & Emmanuel Petit finishing the Brazilians off in style with the last goal of the tournament) & 2018 (Including an own goal from Croatia which put the French in front during the 1st half in which was the 1st in history that there was an own goal involved in the World Cup final then Ivan Perisic tied things up to go all square before Antoine Griezmann scored a penalty after Croatia (Who had their skipper who currently plays for Real Madrid, Luka Modric being named best player of the tournament) got penalised for a handball in the penalty area, to put them back in front then Paul Pogba (Who is ruled out of this year's tournament with a serious injury & joins his French teammate N'Golo Kante, Germany's Timo Werner, Mexico's Jesus Corona & Portugal's Diogo Jota as part of the injured players list (And there's has been an update as France (Who have never lost a Football World Cup match since 2014 in the quarterfinal against Germany, 4 years before their successful World Cup glory in Russia back in 2018) have a star player injury crisis, ahead of their title defence against the Socceroos of Australia that one of the best footballers in the world of Karim Benzema joins the likes of Kante & Pogba (As well as Germany's Werner, Portugal's Diogo Jota, Mexico's Corona & others are part of the casualty ward along with Sadio Mane of Senegal most recently before the tournament began) to miss the entirety of the tournament with a serious injury sustained during training (And that's a massive blow for the French, who are trying hard to become the 1st side since Brazil in 1962 to defend the Football World Cup title but Kylian Mbappe has taken over the star player role following Benzema's injury that ends his tournament unlike in 2014 that Franck Ribery got injured before the Football World Cup had started) had scored a great goal to double to their advantage during the 2nd half, before a goal that Kylian Mbappe scored was better than Pogba's as he becomes the 2nd teenage goal scorer in the Football World Cup final after the great Brazilian player of Pele & then in all of a sudden, an error by French captain Hugo Lloris gifted the Croatians a goal before that memorable final ended when France triumphed for the 2nd time in the tournament's history & Spain winning in 2010 when a goal scored by Andres Iniesta during the 2nd period of extra time as they sealed the deal when they went on to win their 1st & only Football World Cup crown (Just like Germany did that Goetze did a similar thing to Iniesta did when the final in 2014 between Germany & Argentina was similar to the final in 2010 where a match winning goal had been scored during extra time).

And I'm looking forward to this weekend related to sport which is the big one in the sport of rugby union, as the All Blacks play our highly anticipated final test match of the year against England at Twickenham in London in our 1st test between the 2 teams since the semifinal at the most recent Rugby World Cup in 2019 where we got it all wrong as England (Who had never lost a test against New Zealand since 2018 in which Courtney Lawes's match winning try was denied by the TV referee as a result of him being adjudged to be in an offside position but the last time the English defeated the AB's on home soil was in 2012 were New Zealand had been affected by the novo bug virus which caused us to lose the test at Twickers) dominated the game to reach the final against the eventual champions South Africa as well as the Rugby League World Cup final in Manchester, England, contested between defending champions & tournament favourites the Kangaroos of Australia (Who have appeared in every Rugby League World Cup final since 1968 but the only time the Australians did not appear in the Rugby League World Cup final was at the inaugural tournament in 1954 (There were no finals in both 1957 & 1960 to start with) in which Great Britain won their 1st of 2 RLWC titles against France (Which will host the tournament in 2025 after both Canada & the USA pulled out as hosts after they found out that they ran out of money of hosting the next tournament) in the final) & Toa Samoa of Samoa (Who are in their very 1st final by becoming the 1st nation from the Pacific Islands to make the big dance after making history with an upset win over England in the 2nd semifinal which was decided via golden point, but the last meeting between the 2 teams at the tournament, was in 2017 in Darwin in the quarterfinal that the Aussies hammered the Samoans 46 - 0, with Valentine Holmes becoming the 1st player in Rugby League World Cup history to score 5 tries in a match) & of course, last but not least, the opening match of this year's Football World Cup between hosts Qatar (Who are in their 1st Football World Cup altogether, as the host nation who had been marred by controversy regarding to infringements about human rights (Caused by normal people who to tourists that they shouldn't belong there, especially the pride people that they should not be safe in a tournament owing to corruption that they should not host a Football World Cup like that, but the players playing for that country competing in the World Cup must stick to football & they must say positive things about it) & the implementation of the zero alcohol policy at around stadiums & grounds for the duration of the tournament to curb drunkeness caused by people as a result of the crack down on alcoholism in which Qatar (A nation associated with Islam) is the cleaniest country in the world (Similar to the zero corona virus loophole that they're currently having in China during the pandemic in that country which is the worst affected in the world) & Ecuador (Who last appeared in a tournament in 2014, 4 years before missing out on securing qualification at the last Football World Cup in 2018 in a nation affected by the protests about inflation which resulted in the increase of both food & fuel prices as I mentioned in my blogs) at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.

And finally in women's rugby news as the women's Rugby World Cup, remains, New Zealand's cup! (Or should I say the women's RWC trophy, is Aotearoa's again!) After the Black Ferns claim their record extending 6th women's Rugby World Cup championship after picking up a hard fought win over the tournament favourites England in the big dance in front of a sell out crowd of 40,000 packed at Eden Park in Auckland to set the women's tournament alight so here's the live updates according to Newshub (And it'll be the 1st time covering live updates involving women's rugby):

Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the Rugby World Cup final between New Zealand and England at Auckland's Eden Park.

About 12 months ago, with the NZ women reeling from their disastrous northern hemisphere tour - including record defeats to England and France - very few would have put money on this match-up at the World Cup final.

The Black Ferns had lost two tests to the French by 25 and 22 points, after being dispatched by the 'Red Roses' to the tune of 31 and 41 points.

Over two years of COVID-19 isolation, the reigning world champions had slipped behind their closest rivals in terms of performance on the field and professionalism off it.

Arriving home, their team culture was also subjected to a thorough examination, with accusations of favouritism, ghosting and body-shaming levelled at team management, after veteran hooker Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate revealed she had suffered a mental health breakdown during the tour. 

Under pressure, World Cup-winning coach Glenn Moore stood down from his position, replaced by 'Professor' Wayne Smith, who had previously helped mastermind two World Cup triumphs for the All Blacks.

Team culture was restructured under Olympic champion Black Ferns Sevens coach Allan Bunting and first-five Ruahei Demant named captain, later joined by loose forward Kennedy Simon.

While all this took place, England were relentlessly building a formidable unbeaten run that now extends to 30 games, since their last loss to New Zealand at San Diego in 2019 - their only lapse since their World Cup defeat to the same opponents two years before at Belfast.

The English have looked formidable throughout this tournament, accounting for France in pool play and holding off a surprising challenge from Canada in last week's semis.

The Black Ferns have had some anxious moments along the way, trailling by 17 points early in their opener against Australia and exposed among the forwards by Wales the following week.

But they set the record straight against the Welsh in their quarter-final and have played an exciting brand of rugby that has drawn their home fans behind them, with a sold out crowd of more than 40,000 expected at Eden Park for the final.

The fixture will send veteran halfback Kendra Cocksedge into retirement, after a career that saw her named NZ Rugby Player of the Year - male or female - in 2018. This is her fourth World Cup and her third final, after guiding the Black Ferns to victory in 2010 and 2017.

Black Ferns: 1-Phillipa Love, 2-Georgia Ponsonby, 3-Amy Rule, 4-Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5-Chelsea Bremner, 6-Alana Bremner, 7-Sarah Hirini, 8-Charmaine McMenamin, 9-Kendra Cocksedge, 10-Ruahei Demant (cc), 11-Portia Woodman, 12-Theresa Fitzpatrick, 13-Stacey Fluhler, 14-Ruby Tui, 15-Renee Holmes

Reserves: 16-Luka Connor, 17-Krystal Murray, 18-Santo Taumata, 19-Joanah Ngan-Woo, 20-Kennedy Simon (cc), 21-Ariana Bayler, 22-Hazel Tubic, 23-Ayesha Leti-I'iga

England: 1-Vickii Cornborough, 2-Amy Cokayne, 3-Sarah Bern, 4-Zoe Aldcroft, 5-Abbie Ward, 6-Alex Matthews, 7-Marlie Packer, 8-Sarah Hunter (captain), 9-Leanne Infante (Later replaced by Lucy Packer), 10-Zoe Harrison, 11-Abby Dow, 12-Holly Aitchison, 13-Emily Scarratt, 14-Lydia Thompson, 15-Ellie Kildunne

Reserves: 16-Lark Davies, 17-Maud Muir, 18-Shaunagh Brown, 19-Cath O'Donnell, 20-Poppy Cleall, 21-Sadia Kabeya, 22-Claudia MacDonald, 23-Tatyana Heard

7:01 PM: After some iffy weather on Friday and some dodgy forecasts, Auckland has turned on a brilliant night for rugby, with no rain on the horizon.

The French have shown their full ability with a comprehensive 36-0 victory over Canada for the bronze medal, with first-five Caroline Drouin - the villain of their semi-final defeat to New Zealand - to the fore.

7:24 PM: The teams are filing out onto Eden Park, with the stands packed. They face the national anthems... and then the Black Ferns haka.

The England team is lined out across the full width of the field to face the challenge, led by Stacey Fluhler.

The scene is set.

KICK OFF: Scotland's Hollie Davidson will referee the big game and Renee Holmes will kick off for NZ. Thompson secures the ball and set up the first ruck, with Harrison clearing their half.

England steal the ball of NZ and Harrison kicks to the goal-line, where Holmes gathers and runs clear.

2ND MINUTE: Ferns try to run from their own 22, but Fitzpatrick stumbles and eventually Demant has to kick to touch. England win the lineout and shift left.

3RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ENGLAND: TRY to Kildunne

CONVERSION ENGLAND: England already showing they can run the ball and when they shift right, Kildunne is on the end of the line to open the scoring. Scarratt slots the sideline conversion, ENG 7-0

5TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Pinpoint kickoff from Holmes and Tui wins the ball for NZ. They claim a lineout and spin the ball to midfield.

6TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY BLACK FERNS: Hirini makes metres down the left and Ferns win a penalty on the England 10 at the breakdown. Holmes will take a kick at goal.

7TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL MISS BLACK FERNS: Holmes is kicking into a slight breeze and just leaves this left of the posts. Good early sighter, though.

8TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): England's dropout clears halfway and the Ferns try to run out of their half. Demant kicks on an angle for Tui, but the bounce eludes everyone and Fluhler eventually hacks into touch.

9TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): England win the lineout and kick into NZ half, but Woodman breaks deep into England territory. The Roses win the ball and kick back towards the NZ 22.

10TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Demant stabs ahead for Tui again, but England have it covered and kick towards the goal-line. They have NZ traped inside the 22, but Woodman bursts clear.

11TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY ENGLAND: Woodman finds Hirini on halfway and McMenamin carries forward, but the Ferns are penalized at the ruck.

12TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY ENGLAND: England find touch inside NZ half and win the lineout. Kildunne is stopped in midfield by Fluhler, but NZ are penalized again, as Ponsonby goes off her feet by diving through the breakdown.

England kick to the corner...

13TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ENGLAND: TRY to Cokayne

CONVERSION ENGLAND: England win the lineout and their maul rolls towards the tryline. The hooker is at the back and simply falls over the line to score and Scarratt converts, ENG 14-0

15TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): NZ must be the next to score, as Holmes kicks off and the bounce eludes England. Fluhler charges down a clearing kick and the Ferns go on attack.

16TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM FEED BLACK FERNS: NZ feed to the first scrum of the night. Big push from England, but Cocksedge finds Tui running off the scrum. The ball goes left and England deflect Demant's pass.

17TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): When the ball goes right, Tui tries to step through, McMenamin and Roos charge towards the line, but England win the ruck and clear towards halfway. Woodman is down injured.

18TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TMO REFERRAL, PENALTY BLACK FERNS & RED CARD ENGLAND Replays show Woodman is taken out by a head-on-head tackle and England could be in trouble here. Thompson is shown a red card for the high tackle on Woodman and her team will be down to 14 players for the rest of the contest.

SUBSTITUTION BLACK FERNS: Leti-I'iga comes on for Woodman, who is being carted off. Demant kicks to the corner...

19TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY BLACK FERNS: TRY to Ponsonby

CONVERSION BLACK FERNS: Bremner wins the lineout and the NZ maul is unstoppable, with the hooker scoring her first try for the Ferns. Holmes' conversion sneaks inside the right upright, ENG 14-7

20TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Roos spills the kickoff into touch and England have an attacking lineout inside the NZ 22.

21ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ENGLAND: TRY to Packer

England win the lineout and maul to the tryline, where Packer falls over to score. There's a clear warning you can't concede a lineout near the 22 and expect to stop this English pack.

CONVERSION MISS ENGLAND: Scarratt hits the right upright with her conversion, ENG 19-7

24TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), TRY BLACK FERNS: TRY to Leti-I'iga

PENALTY BLACK FERNS: England knock on the kickoff and then regather from an offside position, so penalty to the Ferns and Demant kicks to the corner.

Bremner wins the lineout and rumble towards the tryline. They're told to use it and a long pass from Demant frees Leti-I'iga, who stands up her marker to dive across.

CONVERSION BLACK FERNS: Holmes slots her sideline conversion, ENG 19-14

27TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Leti-I'iga secures the kickoff and Roos drives over the 22, but NZ spill a pass and England have another attacking lineout. NZ slow the maul initially, but it accelerates forward and Burn peels off.

28TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM FEED BLACK FERNS: The ball spills out the side of the ruck and McMenamin charges away, but they're called back. Double knock on, England first, so NZ have a defensive scrum.

SUBSTITUTION ENGLAND: Time off for an England injury... Zoe Aldcroft walks off for a head assessment.

29TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Scrum collapses, but McMenamin clears from the base and NZ run out of their 22. Holmes' kick finds touch, but England are still on attack.

30TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): England maul forward and have penalty advantage, but they're still going.

PENALTY ENGLAND: England shift right and a long pass is plucked out of the air by Holmes, who sprints the length of the field... totally unaware that the ref has called them back for the penalty.

31ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): England kick to the corner and here comes another try.

32ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ENGLAND: TRY to Cokayne

CONVERSION ENGLAND: Ward wins the line out and the maul reaches the tryline. Cokayne has her second try and Scarratt converts from just left of the posts, ENG 26-14

34TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM FEED ENGLAND: Packer secures the kickoff and England kick deep to Leti-I'iga, who fumbles the ball forward, giving away field position.

35TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), FREE KICK (SHORT ARM PENALTY) ENGLAND & PENALTY NEW ZEALAND: England have a free-kick from the scrum and they tap. Packer takes the ball forward, but NZ have a penalty in midfield from the breakdown.

36TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Ferns take a tap, but Fitzpatrick spills the ball in a tackle and England kick to the corner. Not their throw-in, but still danger...

37TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Bremner wins the defensive lineout and NZ try to run from their goal-line. The ball goes lose in midfield, but they recover it and eventually run out of the 22.

38TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Demant is hit hard in a tackle, but Ferns retain the ball and Fluhler dashes over halfway. NZ keeping the ball in hand and Leti-I'iga has a run down the left.

PENALTY BLACK FERNS: Penalty to NZ on the England 22, they look to the corner...

39TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY BLACK FERNS: TRY to Rule

CONVERSION MISS BLACK FERNS: Bremner wins the lineout and they rumble towards the tryline. Rule peels off the back to score and Holmes' conversion stays right, ENG 26-19

And that's halftime. Phew, time to catch our breathe.

HALF TIME

41ST MINUTE, SUBSTITUTION ENGLAND: Captain Sarah Hunter is replaced by Poppy Cleall for England and they kick off for the second half.

TRY BLACK FERNS: TRY to Fluhler

CONVERSION MISS BLACK FERNS: Ferns secure the kickoff and spread the ball left, where Fluhler maekes the initial break, finds Holmes in support and then stays available for the final pass to score. Holmes can level the scores here, but leaves her conversion left, ENG 26-24

43RD MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM FEED ENGLAND: England kick off again and McMenamin brings the ball over the 22. Ferns keep the ball in hand, as they charge to halfway, where Roos is wrapped up and can't release the ball.

45TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): England feed a scrum on halfway and free the ball to their backs, but Harrison knocks on. Cocksedge kicks into England half and the ball bounces into touch outside the 22.

46TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): England win the lineout and Harrison is trapped with the ball. England take the ball into second phase and Scarratt kicks deep.

SUBSTITUTION BLACK FERNS: Ferns shift left, but Fluhler can't gather a long pass on halfway. Connor and Murray replaced Love and Ponsonby in the Ferns front row.

47TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The new front-rowers are straight into a scrum on halfway, England feed, and they push England back. The Roses rumble over halfway.

48TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): England put a little kick over the defence, but Fluhler gathers and Cocksedge rolls a kick into touch for a 50-22. NZ throw to the attacking lineout.

49TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY BLACK FERNS: TRY to Murray

Roos wins the lineout, but the maul goes to ground. Ferns forwards go one-off for a couple of phases, before the ball goes to the backs and then back to the corner, where Murray plunges over in the corner.

CONVERSION MISS BLACK FERNS: New Zealand have the lead and Simon replaces McMenamin. Holmes has another wide conversion and just hooks it left again, NZ 29-26

51ST MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): England kick off and Simon brings the ball outside the NZ 22, but Bremner drops a pass in midfield. Big opportunity for England at the scrum.

52ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), FREE KICK (SHORT ARM PENALTY) ENGLAND: England get a free-kick at the scrum, but they want another scrum.

53RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY ENGLAND: Murray collapses and England get a penalty. They kick to the corner and here comes that maul again...

54TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY ENGLAND: TRY to Cokayne

CONVERSION ENGLAND: England win the lineout and rumble to the line, where the hooker has her hattrick - that simple. Scarratt puts her conversion in front of the posts, ENG 31-29

56TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Holmes kicks off and Tui taps it back for the Ferns. They charge to the England 22.

57TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): The ball comes loose, but Ferns have it back and Tui tries to find a way through. The ball shifts left, where Alana Bremner crosses the 22.

58TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM FEED ENGLAND: England win a loose ball and clear, Holmes tries to run it back, but the ball spills forwards again. The Roses have a scrum feed just outside their 22.

59TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY ENGLAND: Big push from England and they win a penalty. They'll just work the sideline here.

Roos contests this lineout, but England win it and maul over halfway. The Ferns forwards have them wrapped up and win the turnover.

60TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Good scrum from NZ and Cocksedge kicks along the ground. Kildunne gathers the rolling ball, but the Ferns hold her up and drive her back into the 22.

61ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM BLACK FERNS: Harrison kicks for touch, but the ball has been taken back into the 22 and the Ferns will have the attacking lineout. Throw goes long and England knock on at the back.

62ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Another good Ferns scrum, Demant challenges the midfield defence and Rule rumbles off her towards the posts.

63RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY ENGLAND: Connor drives towards the line, but England are over the breakdown and win a penalty for holding on (Not releasing ball) just metres from her goal-line. Connor stays down.

SUBSTITUTION BLACK FERNS: Taumata replaces Rule in the Ferns front row. Connor is back on her feet.

64TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SUBSTITUTION & SCRUM FEED BLACK FERNS: England win the lineout and maul to halfway, but a pass is spilled and Ferns will have the scrum. Roos leaves, Ngan-Woo arrives.

65TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Off the scrum, Cocksedge finds Leti-I'iga cutting infield. Demant kicks into the 22, Dow threatens to break out of her 22, but she's brought down by Simon with head contact.

TMO REFERRAL & YELLOW CARD BLACK FERNS: The tackle is reviewed... Simon sees yellow, so NZ are down to 14 for the next 10 minutes. Dow looks groggy, but she stays.

66TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): England win the lineout and the maul advances. Ferns push back and England must release the ball.

PENALTY BLACK FERNS: NZ win a penalty in midfield...

67TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Demant finds touch for a lineout on halfway.

68TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Ngan-Woo wins the lineout and Cocksedge kicks into the 22. Kildunne tries to run it out and Harrison kicks to halfway, but Holmes runs it back.

69TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Ferns have retreated back into their half and Holmes kicks ahead for Leti-I'iga. The ball dribbles into touch inside the England half.

70TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): England win their lineout, but Harrison kicks out on the full. Demant has a touch on the kick, so England have the throw inside NZ half.

71ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), TRY BLACK FERNS: TRY to Leti-I'iga

TMO reverses the call, NZ throw to the attacking lineout and charge towards the 22. Fitzpatrick puts a kick to the corner, Fluher gathers and finds Leti-I'iga to dive over in the corner.

SUBSTITUTION BLACK FERNS: New Zealand have the lead with fulltime now in sight... Fluhler stays down and limps off to a standing ovation. Hazel Tubic comes on, as Holmes lines up the sideline conversion.

CONVERSION MISS BLACK FERNS: Her kick stays left again, NZ 34-31

74TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): England kick off and Demant makes a halfbreak, finding Bremner in support. Tubic clears towards halfway.

75TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Ferns contest the lineout and steal the throw. They have the ball and penalty advantage, but stream towards halfway. Tubic kicks, Kildunne gathers and Tui smashes her in a tackle.

76TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY BLACK FERNS: England have penalty advantage on halfway, but drive forwards. They lose the advantage and Ferns win a penalty in midfield.

77TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY ENGLAND: Simon has returned to the field. Demant taps and tries to take England by surprise, but the Roses win a penalty on halfway.

England kick to the 22 and here comes that lineout.

78TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY ENGLAND: Lineout maul collapses and England have another penalty advantage. They play on and rumble towards the 22, but they come back for the penalty.

79TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Scarratt kicks to the corner and Ferns must produce a stop here with 90 seconds left...

80TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY ENGLAND: Maul collapses and England have another penalty advantage. Forwards keep the ball and they go back for the penalty and another lineout.

Ferns contest the throw and win the ball. Time is up and they win the scrum... that's the game and the Black Ferns have won!

Second half

NEW ZEALAND: Ponsonby, Rule, Fluhler, Murray & Leti-I'iga 2 tries; Holmes 2 conversions

ENGLAND: Kildunne, Packer & Cokayne 3 tries; Scarratt 3 conversions

NEW ZEALAND 34 ENGLAND 31

And what do I think of that memorable final of our lives? It was superb, absolutely amazing out there but what a win from the Black Ferns eh? World champs baby! (That was my 1st thoughts after the win in the women's Rugby World Cup by the Black Ferns but what a disappointing end for England (Especially that one of the English wingers of Lydia Thompson who recieved the red card for illegally taking out Portia Woodman with a blow to the head which ended Woodman's night (And she had been give a 3 week ban for her actions), but enter Ayesha Leti-I'iga as she bagged in for a double after coming from the bench as a concussion sub after Woodman went off with a head injury caused by foul play), what a match for our viewers right around the world (And the headlines would probably say: BLACK FERNS TROUNCE ENGLAND TO RETAIN COVETED WRWC TITLE or more like: ENGLAND FALL SHORT OF WOMEN'S RWC CROWN) But I must appreciate the Black Ferns of retaining women's rugby's most treasured prize, the women's Rugby World Cup by setting the tournament alight for ourselves after our close victory against England in another one of the best women's rugby matches by far that I've watched for a long time (Compared to our opening women's Rugby World Cup match against the Wallaroos of Australia at Eden Park in Auckland in which we trailed when the Aussies were leading until we came from behind to snatch a win) & and how appropriate to one of the Black Ferns players of Kendra Cocksedge, who bids farewell to international rugby as she plays her final ever test match & finishes it off in style throughout her decorated rugby career but Joanah Ngan-Woo's lineout steal in the dying seconds of the final proved to be the game winner that the Black Ferns successfully retained the women's Rugby World Cup that followed up to our success in 2017 to add to our titles won from 1998 to 2010, not only because it was shades of 'Beaver' Donald & that match winning penalty goal in 2011 which helped New Zealand win the Rugby World Cup for the 1st time since 1987 & the 2nd of our 3 RWC championships).

So that is my 474th blog of the year 2022 (MMXXII) & my 22nd of this year, stay safe & one love, viva Ukraine.

P.S. And we've got visitors coming here to stay starting from the 20th of December until possibly the 23rd or Christmas day such as one of Pops friends of Wai Lam (A person born in Hong Kong living in the Bretagne region in France that Aunty Tan knows as she told me during our phone conversation whom I met him before back in 2018 but his English his good), his French wife (I've met her before in the same year but her English may be poor) & his son Clement (Whom I've never met him before because I might be finding a new friend but I don't know whether he's fluent in English because he's mainly a French speaker).

Next Year/Walking After You/Morning Glory: My 21st blog of the year 2022

Well, news have just come in from the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup as the Wayne Smith coached Black Ferns came out on top against Wales in a replay of the pool game earlier in the tournament at Northland Events Centre in Whangarei to set up a semifinal showdown with rivals France, at Eden Park, & then in all of a sudden, the Sarah Hunter led England were too good against the Wallaroos to head into the final four at Waitakere Stadium in Waitakere in Auckland but there has been an update as England become the 1st side to reach the final as they were no match against Canada before the Black Ferns had a great escape against France who had the chance to win the game via penalty goal from Caroline Drouin after the French had been given the penalty for a dangerous tackle by Santo Taumata which resulted in a yellow card, but it sailed wide as New Zealand clinged on to the end to set up a final showdown against England (So it's the tournament favourites England (Who are looking for their 1st title since 2014) to play the hosts & defending champions of the Black Ferns (Who are hoping to go back to back & win a record extending 6th Women's Rugby World Cup) in the final of the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup to decide who'll become world champion in front of a sell out crowd at Eden Park in Auckland).

And something has gone wrong for the Golden State Warriors in their NBA title defence as Draymond Green floored his teammate Jordan Poole with a punch to the face but he got fined for causing an incident & was lucky not to get suspended (Unlike the Suns owner recieving a ban for racism then Ime Udoka (Who thought who was going to be the next Brooklyn Nets coach after former NBA player Steve Nash had been given the sack but he didn't take the job in wake of the Kyrie Irving suspension for posting anti-semitic stuff on Twitter & it was one of the assistant coaches of Jacque Vaughn took over instead) the Boston Celtics coach had been banned for a year for illegally having an affair with a Celtics staff member & now Kyrie Irving getting suspended for 5 games as a result of a tweet involving anti semitism (Which is the hatred among Jewish people) in which the entire NBA & Jewish communities were outraged about it) but the Warriors has had many losses during the season in which they lost 6 games now on the trot.

And in cricket that the Black Caps take to the field to play Pakistan (One of both sides along with England to have beaten New Zealand in this years tournament) in the 1st semifinal in this year's T20 World Cup at the Sydney Cricket Ground on November the 9th (And are the Pakistanis thinking vibes of both 1992 & 1999 in which they famously beat New Zealand in both Cricket World Cup semifinals in those years but what are New Zealand's chances of reaching another final? Well, they have got to contain both their best batters in the team of captain Babar Azam & wicket-keeper Muhammad Rizwan (And one of the Pakistani bowlers of Haris Rauf might be the danger man among the Pakistani team), in a rematch of last year's super 12 match which was won by Pakistan followed by India locking horns with England (Who famously beat New Zealand in a Super 12 game for their 1st win against the Black Caps at a T20 World Cup since the semifinal in 2016 after losing to them last year, also in a semi in which their bowling attack was considered to be the best but the only time England lost a T20 World Cup match this year was against Ireland at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during a rain affected match in which they shocked the cricket world) in the other semifinal at the Adelaide Oval on the 10th of November 3 days prior to the final being held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne but the teams competing in the final of the T20 World Cup had been confirmed as Pakistan (The last time the Pakistanis reached the final was in 2009 in which they beat Sri Lanka at Lord's in London in England) take on England (Who last been to a final since 2016 in which they infamously lost to the West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India with Carlos Brathwaite's providing the heroics when he scored 4 sixes in a row to become the 1st 2 time champions of the T20 World Cup), in a repeat of the 1992 men's 50 over Cricket World Cup final at the MCG in Melbourne, Australia, in which both sides had their semifinal wins respectively against New Zealand & India but there has been an update as England win the T20 World Cup after their epic final against Pakistan at the G (One of the English bowlers of Sam Curran (Who didn't play in last years tournament) was the standout in which he performed with the ball but it was Ben Stokes (Who wasn't part of the English squad at the T20 World Cup last year along with Sam Curran) who hit the winning runs to achieve immortality in the T20 format in the world) but they're now 2 time champions along with the West Indies (Who didn't make the Super 12 in this years tournament) & become the 1st men's cricket playing nation in history to achieve both the 50 over men's Cricket World Cup in which they did it in their home country in 2019 & now, the men's T20 World Cup meaning that the English are now undisputed kings of white ball cricket but there's prolonged celebrations in English cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Leicester, Bristol & Newcastle upon Tyne in honor of their great win in the final.

And in rugby league (Although Pops isn't a rugby league follower because the game is always stop start along with American football/gridiron but I haven't followed the Rugby League World Cup since the tournament began) news coming from the 2021 Rugby League World Cup as the world number 1 ranked New Zealand (Who outmuscled Fiji in the quarterfinal, exacting revenge from 5 years ago in which the Fijians toppled them in a historic upset) play the defending champions of Australia (Who outplayed Lebanon in the other quarterfinal) in the 1st semifinal at Elland Road in Leeds followed by hosts England (Who were too good against Papua New Guinea in the quarters) who are locking horns with Samoa (Who infamously put Tonga to bed in the other quarterfinal in one of the best matches in the history of the Rugby League World Cup to reach their 1st semifinal in the tournament) in the other semi at Emirates Stadium in London but the finalists of the Rugby League World Cup final had been confirmed as the defending champions & tournament favourites the Kangaroos (Who have never lost a Rugby League Cup final since 2008 in which New Zealand stunned them to win their one & only RLWC crown in an historic upset for the ages at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane then 5 years later that the Kangaroos recovered from their 2008 final defeat against the Kiwis to win in 2013 in the final against the same opponent at Old Trafford (Home of the famous Manchester United football club competing in the Premier League which had some great players including David Beckham, Eric Cantona (Who is not going to Qatar as a spectator for this year's Football World Cup regarding of his controversial beliefs regarding to the country hosting the tournament as Leon told me in late September), Wayne Rooney & Cristiano Ronaldo) in Manchester, before they successfully defended it in 2017 on home soil in the final in Brisbane against England who had a close shave in the 2nd semifinal at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland against the ever improving Tonga (Who shocked the rugby league world in 2017 with a win against New Zealand during the group stages) are gunning for their record extending 12th title after their narrow win to knock the Kiwis out of the tournament by 2 points in the 1st semifinal (Including that incredible try from star Kangaroos player Josh Addo-Carr which was was the turning point, resulting in heartbreak from the Kiwis (And I was gutted about the result after all) when they play against Toa Samoa who set the tournament alight with an upset win against the tournament hosts England in the other semifinal which turned the rugby league world upside down in another one of the best Rugby League World Cup matches of all time, at Old Trafford in Manchester.

And the All Blacks have put Scotland (Who were so competitive compared to Japan when the Scottish had been given a penalty try as a result of Anton Lienert-Brown (Who made his comeback test a year after getting injured in the game against Ireland) being shown the yellow card for an infraction to Stuart Hogg on the goal line during the game along with one of the Scottish players of Australian born Jack Dempsey for a deliberate knockdown during the 2nd half but the standout player went to All Black openside flanker Dalton Papali'i (Who is filling in for the injured skipper Sam Cane with All Black lock forward & veteran Sam Whitelock assuming the All Blacks captaincy duties after Cane got injured in the game against Japan) for his outstanding contribution to his performance) to the sword at Murrayfield in Edinburgh with Blues & North Harbour player of Mark Telea successfully making his dream debut in the black jersey by scoring 2 tries (And onto the other results as Wales who recovered after losing to the AB's to beat Argentina in Cardiff followed by Italy having their 1st win against the Wallabies (Who had to chance to win the game with a conversion by Ben Donaldson who just come on for Noah Lolesio who I thought the Wallabies made the wrong decision to send Donaldson on but it sailed wide as the Italians get their 1st victory against Australia (Who are now on a 2 match losing streak since their last victory against Scotland in Edinburgh) in international rugby) in Florence (Firenze) then England were too good against Japan after bouncing back from defeat against the Argentinians in London & the hosts of next year's Rugby World Cup France, knocking over the reigning world champion Springboks in a thriller in Marseille in which South African loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit got red carded during the match for a foul play incident regarding to head contact along with French captain Antoine Dupont for dangerously taking out Cheslin Kolbe in mid-air but there was real controversy as France had been given the try despite one of the French players of Sipili Falatea adjudged to have had a double movement in the leadup to the try according to Rugby World Cup winning coach for South Africa who is now the director of rugby, Rassie Erasmus on Twitter blowing up about the officiating for the 2nd week in a row & the Barbarians were no match against the All Blacks XV when the match was played in North London).

So that is my 473rd blog of the year 2022 (MMXXII) & my 21st of this year, stay safe & one love, viva Ukraine.

P.S. He's got a brand new car

Looks like a Jaguar

It's got leather seats

It's got a CD player

I Will Follow/We Are All Made Of Stars: My 20th blog of the year 2022

Well, there is an interesting rugby fact that the only time the All Blacks lost a tour match during their successful grand slam tour was against the Irish club of Munster (This was the days in which Ireland had never beaten the AB's in international rugby before until 2016 at Soldier Field (Home of the team that plays in the NFL, the Chicago Bears), in Chicago) in that famous game in 1978 which was immortalized in a play called Alone It Stands in which New Zealand infamously lost by 12 points in a tour match in one of our most shocking losses in history (And we played them again in 2008 in a tour match in which we won, 30 years after that defeat to Munster).

And in news related to the rock music industry such as Tom DeLonge of Angels & Airwaves has announced his return to his old pop punk band of Blink-182 (Which consists of guitarist & one of the vocalists of DeLonge, bassist & another one of the singers of Mark Hoppus & drummer Travis Barker & is one of my favourite pop punk bands (I especially love that band because I'm a fan of them & their music but I like Green Day as well), therefore replacing Akaline Trio's Matt Skiba who has left the band (And DeLonge's return to Blink-182 is rock music's biggest storyline since John Frusciante who rejoined the Red Hot Chili Peppers back in 2019, taking Josh Klinghoffer's place, but they have released a new song called 'Edging' last month in which the song is expected to be from the brand new album due to release next year & one of the band members of Mark Hoppus is in his 50s now, compared to both DeLonge (Whose singing voice might've been altered (Unlike the Foo Fighters song Shame Shame that I 1st heard in 2020 that lead singer Dave Grohl's singing voice had remained the same as in any other previous studio albums that the Foo Fighters had released) since he last appeared in an album with Blink-182 called Neighborhoods which was released back in 2011 before his departure in 2015 as Matt Skiba replaced him & had been with the band until this year in which he left, allowing DeLonge to open the door to infamously rejoin the band) & Barker (Who has a fear of flying since he was involved in a serious plane accident way back in 2008 a year before the band's reformation after originally broken up in 2005 althogugh he is apparently married to one of the Kardashians & is a fan of female American pop singer Billie Eilish) who are nearly approaching in their 50s).

And still onto the rugby stuff that on Halloween that it's been 23 years since the AB's (Who had the late Jonah Lomu (Who scored his last 2 tries in international test rugby against England in a losing effort during the Twickenham test 20 years ago way back in 2002 (Compared to his 1st 2 tries of his international rugby career which was against Ireland during the Rugby World Cup in 1995) crossing over twice during the game) infamously lost against France (Who staged a successful comeback to seal the deal & advance through to the final) in the semifinal at the 1999 RWC at Twickenham (Known as the traditional home of English rugby compared to Wembley Stadium which is a football venue & Lord's being a designated cricket ground) in London in one of Rugby World Cup's greatest games, but 7 years have passed since the All Blacks had last triumphed at the Rugby World Cup in 2015 in the final against the Wallabies in that memorable game of our lives (And it is one of my memorable moments watching rugby on TV) at the same ground in Twickenham (It was both Dan Carter & Bernard Foley traded penalties before Nehe Milner-Skudder who broke the deadlock by scoring the opening try of the final, just right on halftime before Sonny Bill Williams came on to replace Conrad Smith & delivered an offload to set up the try scored by Ma'a Nonu who raced in all the way to score then Ben Smith copped a yellow card (The 1st & only time in a Rugby World Cup final) for a lifting tackle on Drew Mitchell in which the Wallabies had staged a tremendous fightback with both David Pocock & Tevita Kuridrani scoring tries each to put them back in the contest before Carter (Who converted it with his right foot in his last scoring act of his international rugby career after Barrett got the try) scored a drop goal then a penalty goal at long range before Beauden Barrett provided the vital moment in the final in which Ben Smith chipped in a kick before Barrett kicked then he went over for the try meaning that the RWC, is still, New Zealand's cup! (And it was before the moment that All Blacks captain at the time of Richie McCaw became the 1st man & 1st New Zealander to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy twice).

And onto the motor racing stuff as our own flying Kiwi of Shane van Gisbergen (Whose dominance would've been a different story if Scott McLaughlin remained in the Supercars Championship but is now dating his old boss Roland Dane's daughter Jessica, in which he labels her as his partner now since he had an affair with her) clinching his 3rd Supercars Championship (And how good was he? Man, what a driver, what a Supercars Championship season he's having) by winning race 31 at the Gold Coast 500 (And it has been all SVG when he won both races (His record extending 20th & 21st race victories of the season) with one round to spare which is Adelaide (Who'll gear up to host the season finale of this year's Supercars Championship season as well as the 1st time the Supercars Championship will race at the old F1 circuit since 2020 & the last time that Holden (Defunct since 2020) will race in the Supercars Championship before being replaced by Chevrolet next year as it moves to Gen 3) at Surfers Paradise in Australia a day before he dominated race 32 (He is now on a 5 race winning streak dating back to race 28 at his home event in Pukekohe, New Zealand including his famous triumph with his Australian co-driver Garth Tander at the mountain at Mount Panorama in Bathurst which is the Bathurst 1000 simply known as the great race by overcoming both penalties including a grid penalty for causing a collision during qualifying as well as a 5 second penalty at a pit stop for an unsafe release during the race in which was the benefit of the doubt) of the event which CART/Champ Car/Indycar once ran (But I wonder if this year's Supercars Championship season ends with one of van Gisbergen's main title rivals of Will Davison, Chaz Mostert & Cam Waters are thinking going into the next season next year in 2023 is to beat Shane which is their number 1 priority).

And finally the latest on the rugby as the All Blacks (Who have never lost a test match since against Argentina (Who made history by dispatching the All Blacks in Christchurch 3 months ago in a Rugby Championship test) at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch during this year's Rugby Championship) hammer Wales (Who weren't so competitive compared to Japan in Tokyo) at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, in one of the best All Black games on foreign soil that I've ever watched on TV (Compared to the best rugby game I've ever seen in a home test on TV against Argentina in Hamilton this year) with Jordie Barrett, Aaron Smith (Who becomes the most capped All Black back at 113, surpassing Dan Carter in which he had an incredible match including a try he scored when he went past the gap all the way to score & his 2nd try came in which the standout player of the game Ardie Savea set it up by throwing a dummy before passing it to Smith to dot it down) & Codie Taylor picking up doubles but the player of the moment went to the try scorer of All Black number 8 forward Ardie Savea (One of the best All Black players ever produced since the days of McCaw, Carter & Kieran Read) for his monster game that he had (And onto the other games such as the number 1 ranked Ireland (Who had their 1st match since winning their historic 3 match test series against the AB's in New Zealand back in July) knocking over the defending world champions of the Springboks at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, a year out until their very 1st meeting at a Rugby World Cup in France to decide who will top Pool B to avoid taking on the All Blacks (If they beat or fail to beat France in the opening match of rugby's global showpiece event) in the quarterfinal followed by the hosts of next year's tournament of France able to put the 2027 tournament hosts Australia to sleep at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis & Argentina topple England (Who are due to meet the Argentinians again at a Rugby World Cup hosted by the French next year just like in 2019) in rugby's biggest boil over during the weekend at Twickenham after they traded penalties during the game & of course, the newly formed All Blacks XV, producing a thrashing over Ireland A at the RDS Arena in Dublin).

So that is my 472nd blog of the year 2022 (MMXXII) & my 20th of this year, stay safe & one love, viva Ukraine.

P.S. And it's been 20 years since the tragic Bali bombings have taken place on crowded nightclubs in the tourist district of Kuta in the Indonesian island of Bali at about 11pm on the 12th of October, 2002 in which a serious incident involving terrorism, resulted in 204 casualties (That includes 88 Australians, 38 Indonesians, 7 Americans & 3 New Zealanders whose innocent lives had been taken away) involved including both suicide bombers & 209 have been wounded as a result of the bomb blast but the motive behind this is for fighting back for America's support of the war on terror & Australia's role in the liberation of East Timor.

Black Summer/Tippa My Tongue/Beggin': My 19th blog of the year 2022

Well, I think I revealed the fact that I have now become an avid ice hockey follower just like Rejean since I now got both NHL 22 & NHL 23 games on the PS4 now, but my favourite NHL team has to be the St Louis Blues compared to Rejean being a Montreal Canadiens fanatic.

And the latest on the 2022 Football World Cup in Qatar that one of the Portuguese players of Diogo Jota may likely to miss the tournament as a result of injury during a Premier League game for his club Liverpool & he joins the list of injured players such as Portugal's Pedro Neto, Brazil's Arthur Melo, Canada's Scott Kennedy, the French trio of Boubacar Kamara, N'Golo Kante & Paul Pogba, England's Reece James & Jesus Corona of Mexico (And Timo Werner of Germany is the latest football star to have fallen foul by joining the casualty ward as he is ruled out of the entire tournament).

And in news related to cricket that there a lot of storylines to ponder going into this year's T20 World Cup in Australia (Originally going to be held in 2020 but due to the corona virus pandemic, they changed it to this year) such as the host nation looking to defend their crown on home soil (No one has ever done it before) & are seeking to become the most successful T20 World Cup nation along with the West Indies (Who did it twice in 2012 & 2016 including the final against England in which the hero of the final of Carlos Brathwaite hit 4 sixes in a row to achieve immortality & cement their status in West Indian cricket folklore) after they were successful last year against the Black Caps (Who are looking to go one better after missing out last year) in the final in Dubai as well as the number one ranked India (Hosts of cricket's global showpiece event next year which is the 50 over men's Cricket World Cup) who haven't won since the inaugural edition in 2007 as well as England who got beaten by New Zealand in the semi last year, haven't triumphed since 2010 & go into the tournament after winning the T20 series against Australia & of course, Pakistan who also has never won since 2009 & are looking to make amends after losing to the eventual champions of Australia in the semifinal last year but they go into this year's T20 World Cup after successfully winning the Tri-Series here in New Zealand (And there's been an update as New Zealand did get revenge when they came out of nowhere to defeat the current holders Australia, in a rematch of last year's T20 World Cup final in the opening match of the Super 12 at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney (And that's the 2nd time now that the Black Caps had beaten Australia at a T20 World Cup (Their 1st meeting was in 2016 in which New Zealand totally dominated before Australia turned the tables on the Black Caps (Who were without Devon Conway as a result of a broken hand sustained in the semifinal win against England to make our 1st trip into the T20 World Cup final in which we were unsuccessful) in which they dominated the final last year in Dubai in the UAE including Mitch Marsh's heroics with the bat & Glenn Maxwell hitting the winning runs, therefore ending New Zealand's hopes of T20 World Cup glory) & the 1st time that the Black Caps have beaten Australia on Australian soil, in any form of cricket since that infamous test at Bellerive Oval in Hobart in 2011 (That was 10 years before the Black Caps success in the World Test Championship against India in the final in our memorable game of our lives throughout the cricket side of it) in one of the most iconic moments in New Zealand cricket history) when Pops told me on the day before Labour Day).

And news just come out of Britain as Liz Truss has announced her resignation as the UK prime minister after serving 45 days in office as she became the shortest serving prime minister (Compared to the longest which is the late Margaret Thatcher) of the UK therefore allowing Rishi Sunak to take over the top job in the country.

And playing a favourite video game reminds me of watching a favourite movie (Mine is Return of the Jedi from 1983 compared to my favourite Lord of the Rings film is the Return of the King then my favourite movie from the Matrix is the 1st Matrix movie as well as my favourite superhero movie being the 1st Avengers movie & my favourite sports documentary movie is Richie McCaw: Chasing Great) or listening to a favourite music album (Mine is Killjoy by Shihad from 1995) but my favourite fighting game is Soulcalibur VI on the PS4 (Compared to my favourite shooting game is the 2005 version of Star Wars Battlefront II (My favourite Jedi heroes in that game is both Luke Skywalker (The protagonist of the Star Wars original trilogy before Rey took over for the sequel trilogy & son of the prequel trilogy protagonist Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader) & Obi-Wan Kenobi (Master of both Anakin & Luke before Yoda took over as Luke's master after Kenobi got killed by his former apprentice Vader) while my favourite Sith villains are in fact both Darth Vader (Formerly Anakin Skywalker when he became evil by luring him into the dark side) & Darth Maul (The main antagonist of Star Wars Episode I: the Phantom Menace before Count Dooku took over when he appeared in both Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones & Episode III: Revenge of the Sith followed by General Grevious who only appeared in Revenge of the Sith then Vader for the original trilogy & Kylo Ren (Anakin/Vader's grandson) in the sequel trilogy) as well as my favourite Formula 1 video game is F1 2020 (One of the best Formula 1 video games that I have ever played because of the classic cars being featured in the game) & my favourite video game series is Gran Turismo (Compared to my favourite meat is chicken, my favourite cake is carrot cake, my favourite dessert is cheesecake & my favourite breakfast cereal is weet-bix) as I mentioned in my previous blogs but the only Gran Turismo game that I didn't play was Gran Turismo 4 (Compared to Tekken 4 which is the only Tekken game that I never played but my favourite Tekken game is Tekken 7 while my favourite football game is now FIFA 23 mainly due to the World Cup game mode because it used to be FIFA 18 which has also got World Cup mode) that I've got now where I had created 48 different characters (And 44 alternate costumes from characters who are appearing in that game such as 2B, Amy, Astaroth, Cassandra, Cervantes, Geralt, Groh, Haohmaru, Hilde, Hwang, Ivy, Kilik, Maxi, Mitsurugi, Raphael, Seong Mi-na, Setsuka, Siegfried, Sophitia, Taki, Talim & Xianghua) from my 4 favourite other fighting video game franchises such as Tekken, Dead or Alive, Virtua Fighter & Mortal Kombat along with Star Wars (I once did create characters from Tekken on Soul Caliburs IV, V & VI along with the 2 DC Comics (Batman & Superman) in V only before being replaced by the 6 Dead or Alive (Ayane, Ayane's half-brother Hayate, Ayane's half-sister & Hayate's sister Kasumi, Momiji, Rachel & Ryu Hayabusa), 4 Virtua Fighter (Akira Yuki, Jacky Bryant, Pai Chan & Jacky's sister Sarah Bryant), 4 Mortal Kombat (Johnny Cage, Kitana, Liu Kang & Johnny Cage's wife Sonya Blade) & both Star Wars (Luke Skywalker & Obi-Wan Kenobi) characters in VI) so here is the list:

Akira Yuki (A male Japanese kung fu teacher based on the famous K1 martial artist of Masaaki Satake who is my favourite Virtua Fighter character & is the protagonist as well as the mascot of the series)

Alisa Bosconovitch (A female android who is the daughter of Dr Bosconovitch)

Anna Williams (A brunette haired female Irish assassin who is the sister of Nina)

Armor King II (A pro wrestler who is the successor of the original Armor King)

Asuka Kazama (Lili's rival who is a teenage schoolgirl from Japan)

Ayane (A purple haired female Japanese ninja who is the half brother of Hayate & half sister of Kasumi known as the Killer Kunoichi from Japan)

Claudio Serafino (A male exorcist from Italy)

Craig Marduk (A male Vale Tudo fighter from Australia (Originally American)

Eliza (A 1000 year old female Vampire)

Feng Wei (A male Chinese Kenpo master)

Hayate (A male Japanese ninja who is the brother of Kasumi & half-brother of Ayane known as the Wind of the Heavens from Japan)

Heihachi Mishima (The late CEO of the Mishima Zaibatsu at the time who is the father of Kazuya & grandfather of Jin)

Hwoarang (A male Taekwondo fighter from South Korea who is bitter rivals with Jin Kazama)

Jacky Bryant (A blonde haired male Indycar racer from San Francisco, California in the United States of America based on the Super Saiyan from the Dragonball series who is the brother of Sarah known as the Blue Flash)

Jin Kazama (My favourite Tekken character (It used to be Lei Wulong then Lee Chaolan, Marshall Law, Paul Phoenix, Hwoarang, Jin's late evil grandfather Heihachi & Lars Alexandersson) who is originally from Yakushima in Japan as well as being the protagonist of the Tekken series since Tekken 3 but he is the son of the evil Kazuya as well as Jun Kazama & the grandson of the now late Heihachi who used to be the CEO of the Mishima Zaibatsu (The villainous faction group in the Tekken game)

Johnny Cage (A world famous Hollywood action movie star from the USA as well as lieutenant turned general Sonya Blade's husband & father of Cassie Cage based on famous Belgian martial arts movie actor better known as 'The muscles from Brussels' of Jean-Claude van Damme who happens to be my favourite Mortal Kombat character)

Josie Rizal (A female professional kickboxer from the Philippines)

Julia Chang (Adopted daughter of Michelle who is a college student from the United States of America studying archaeology)

Kasumi (A ginger haired female runaway ninja from Japan known as the Kunoichi of Destiny who happens to be my favourite Dead or Alive character who is the protagonist of the series as well as being the sister of Hayate & half sister of Ayane)

Katarina Alves (A female Brazilian savate master who is the adopted daughter of Gigas)

Kazuya Mishima (An evil G Corpoation leader & formerly the head of the Mishima Zaibatsu as well as son of the now late Heihachi & father of Jin, but he is the main antagonist of the Tekken series since Tekken 2)

King II (A pro wrestler from Mexico who is the successor of the original King)

Kitana (The princess of Edenia who is the daughter of Shao Kahn & Sindel as well as the sister of the half human, half tarkatan of Mileena)

Kunimitsu II (A kunoichi from Japan who is the daughter of the original Kunimitsu)

Lars Alexandersson (A Swedish born leader of Japanese origin, who is the leader of a rebel group called Yrggdrasil, the late Heihachi's illegitimate son, Kazuya's half brother as well as Lee's adoptive half brother & Jin's half uncle)

Lee Chaolan (Violet Systems CEO from Japan who is the adoptive son of the late Heihachi Mishima as well as Kazuya's adoptive brother, Lars's adoptive half brother & Jin's adoptive uncle)

Lei Wulong (A Hong Kong police detective known as the Super Cop based on famous martial arts movie actor Jackie Chan)

Leo (A gender neutral Bajiquan (Hakkyoku-ken) mastermind from Germany)

Lidia Sobieska (A platinum blonde haired woman who is the Prime Minister of Poland)

Lili (Asuka Kazama's rival from Monaco who is a blonde haired girl, & comes from a rich family)

Ling Xiaoyu (The late Wang Jinrei's Granddaughter who is a high-spirited young girl from China studying ancient Chinese martial arts)

Liu Kang (The Earthrealm champion & shaolin monk from China who is the protagonist of the highly controversial Mortal Kombat series)

Lucky Chloe (A teenage girl who is a pop music sensation)

Luke Skywalker (The protagonist of the Star Wars original trilogy & one of my fave Star Wars characters who is a Jedi Knight originally from Tatooine (He was born in Polis Massa alongside his twin sister of Princess Leia Organa) as a farm boy)

Marshall Law (A male martial arts master & restaurant owner from the United States of America who is Paul Phoenix's good friend based on a famous martial arts film star, the late Bruce Lee (And my old friend Sophia Ong's favourite Tekken character)

Master Raven (Loyal sub-ordinate of the original Raven who works as a UN secret agent)

Miguel (A lone wolf from Spain whose sister got killed in a airstrike that Jin Kazama carried out)

Momiji (A female Dragon Shrine Maiden from Japan who is Ryu Hayabusa's apprentice as well as being the sister of the late Kureha)

Nina Williams (A blonde haired female Irish assassin based on Virtua Fighter's Sarah Bryant who is the sister of Anna & mother of British boxer Steve Fox happens to be my favourite female Tekken character (It used to be Ling Xiaoyu then Asuka Kazama, Julia Chang, Nina's sister Anna & Lili) since I prefer blondes over brunettes & redheads)

Obi-Wan Kenobi (A Jedi Master who is a hero of the Clone Wars & is former master to Anakin Skywalker who would later gone on to become Darth Vader which happens to be my number 2 fave Star Wars character & is one of the main characters in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, therefore playing a supporting role to the rest of the characters who appear in the prequels)

Pai Chan (My favourite female Virtua Fighter character along with Sarah Bryant who is the daughter of a famous chef named Lau whose occupation is a action star from Hong Kong)

Paul Phoenix (Marshall Law's good friend who is a blonde haired male American motorcycle rider)

Rachel (A blonde haired female fiend hunter from the Holy Vigoor Empire who is the sister of the late Alma who was evil, & is good friends with Ryu Hayabusa)

Ryu Hayabusa (My favourite male Dead or Alive character known as the Ultimate Ninja from Japan)

Sarah Bryant (A blonde haired female college student from San Francisco, California in the USA based on Sarah Connor from Terminator 2: Judgement Day which happens to be my favourite female Virtua Fighter character along with Pai Chan who is the sister of Jacky)

Shaheen (A male private military contractor & security manager from Saudi Arabia)

Sonya Blade (A blonde haired female American Special Forces soldier who is married to Johnny Cage & has a daughter named Cassie who is in fact one of my favourite female Mortal Kombat characters)

& Zafina (A female assassin from the ancient time that uses her spiritual powers to help defeat her opponents)

And finally in rugby that the All Blacks (Who went into the opening match of the Northern tour, dealt with injuries to key players) have managed to overcome a red card by Brodie Retallick (Whose season is over if he gets suspended for a minimum of 3 or 4 weeks (6 if he's suspended before or a fortnight if he's undergoing an intervention programme run by World Rugby) after a sending off as a result of a dangerous no arms in the tackle to the head of a Japanese player & becomes the 8th different All Black to be red carded in a test since the clamp down on foul play regarding to head contact which was introduced in 2017, after the late Cyril Brownlie, the late Sir Colin Meads, Sonny Bill Williams, Scott Barrett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Scott's brother Jordie Barrett & Angus Ta'avao (Who was the last before Retallick where he had fallen foul by illegally taken Ireland's Gary Ringrose out with his head when he high tackled him in an apparent head clash during the test in which the AB's lost in Dunedin in June 5 months ago) to defeat Japan (Who were so good when they became competitive since they now became a tier 1 side, but they fell short of making history) at National Stadium in Tokyo (And coaches on opposite sides copped a bit of sledging after the game in which Japan got so competitive during the match).

So that is my 471st blog of the year 2022 (MMXXII) & my 19th of this year, stay safe & one love, viva Ukraine.

P.S. And I like to give a huge shout out to Pops (Who I haven't seen him since last week) & Carole for going on holiday to the Cook Islands but I miss them both, especially Pops since they left & they'll be arriving back to New Zealand today where they will return to Auckland then to Northland to see Kathryn & Ken tomorrow, the day before they come back here to Whanganui on the 20th.

Buck Rogers/Seven Days In The Sun/Feeling A Moment: My 18th blog of the year 2022

Well, in motor racing news such as Dutch Kiwi driver Shane van Gisbergen (Who emulated his 2020 triumph & went into that event as the championship leader & winner of the Jason Richards memorial trophy at Pukekohe who wowed his adoring home fans as well as he finished 9th outright & was on the podium in the WRC 2 class at his home event during the World Rally Championship round in Rally New Zealand won by Finland's rising rally star Kalle Rovanpera who subsequently became the world champion) & his Australian co-driver Garth Tander (Who is now a 5 time winner to add to his success in 2000 (With Jason Bargwanna), 2009 (With Will Davison), 2011 (With Nick Percat) & 2020 (With van Gisbergen) as I mentioned before) of Triple Eight Race Engineering, has won the 2022 edition of the Bathurst 1000 filled with drama with so many safety car interventions at 8 (Including both incidents earlier on in the race while one of the Ford drivers of Zane Goddard copped a fine for causing an collision) although both van Gisbergen & Tander managed to overcome an unsafe release penalty in Holden's fairytale ending at Mount Panorama in one of the best Supercars Championship (For which I label as the greatest touring car championship in the world) races I have ever seen for a long time (And it was better than 2020 where SVG (Who failed to clinch the title after Cameron Waters finished on the podium at Bathurst in which he kept his championship hopes alive but if van Gisbergen clinched the title, he would've outscored his nearest rival by more than 600 points but he failed & is looking to become a 3 time Supercars champion along with the late Peter Brock, Craig Lowndes & Scott McLaughlin while the most successful New Zealander to win the Australian Touring Car Championship title was Jim Richards with 4) first won at the great race but this year had to be my standout (And what a nice way to finish for SVG & GT to win the Bathurst 1000 touring car endurance race in style, what a race for our viewers right around the world), cementing van Gisbergen's status into New Zealand motor racing folklore but I didn't watch the race on Sunday because Ford (For which I was backing because of Pops owning one because he used to own a Holden but like I said before in my previous blogs that my heart was on van Gisbergen due to the fact that he's a Kiwi) were always going to win) where it was 2020 all over again in which was my standout of all of the Supercars Championship races being held, but in F1 news such as Dutch driver Max Verstappen becomes world champion again after winning the race which was overshadowed by his rival Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari had been given a 5 second time penalty during the Japanese Grand Prix, but Red Bull is in jeopardy as they might be in danger of losing the driver's championship title won by Verstappen in both last year & this year, due to them being in the middle of a cost cap breach in which they were above the allocated cost cap (Lewis Hamilton would've won his 8th world championship title because Mercedes were below the cost cap measures) in which FIA had launched an enquiry after the numerous constructors had complained by lodging a protest about Red Bull had cheated illegally on their way to their driver's world championship glory last year (And the FIA hearing is due on Monday, the 17th of October (18th of October New Zealand time) whether Red Bull will be stripped of their driver's championship titles that they won both last year & this year).

And in COVID-19 related news such as the confirmed case count here in New Zealand has jumped from over 9,000 last month to 14,311 this month (And it must've been a passenger must've arrived here from possibly either China (Which is badly affected by the corona virus since they introduced that zero COVID-19 framework that they're currently having), Japan or South Korea) or somebody must've contracted the virus at an aged or health care facility where masks are required to wear them properly but it was taken from a cruise ship to Picton where most people must've picked up a serious illness) as well as the 34 who have passed away from it over the past week (And I think I'm in danger of getting the corona virus just like we had omicron here earlier this year).

And in rugby related news such as Scott Robertson set to join England as the head coach looking to replace Eddie Jones after next year's Rugby World Cup then New Zealand rugby player Ardie Savea is looking to join a Japanese club on a sabbatical after next year's global rugby showpiece tournament & Shaun Stevenson is possibly converting to rugby league so he can play for the new NRL franchise of the Redcliffe Dolphins amid NRL rumors being spreaded despite wanting to play for the Chiefs next year in Super Rugby Pacific.

And in NPC news that Wellington have at long last, finally won an NPC title after 22 long years against Canterbury in the final at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch so here are the live updates according to Newshub (And I haven't been doing the live updates since August last year when the All Blacks played the Wallabies in the 2nd of 3 Bledisloe Cup tests at Eden Park in Auckland just before the delta variant of the corona virus began to spread here in our country of New Zealand but it'll be the 1st time I'll be doing live updates of the NPC game especially the final but I was rooting for Wellington along with Pops because of John & Lim, Murray Gray & his Filipina partner Viluz, Jennifer Morgan & my biological aunty Cathey Middeplaats & my female cousin Paige Williams living there):

Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's live updates of the National Provincial Championship final, as Canterbury host Wellington in Christchurch.

Both teams come into the decider in red-hot form, with Canterbury and Wellington both winning their last nine on the bounce. 

Canterbury plays their first NPC final since 2018, after a hard-fought 24-10 victory over Bay of Plenty in the semi-finals where first-five eight Fergus Burke stole the show to score all of the Red and Blacks points. 

The Lions booked their spot in the final after they dismantled Auckland 54-19 in Wellington, which was the first time they have cracked a half-century of points against the northerners in the history of their encounters. 

Canterbury's wait for a title goes back to 2017 when they beat Tasman in the final while Wellington hasn't tasted glory since 2000 when their team had the likes of the late Jerry Collins and Jonah Lomu and All Black greats Christian Cullen, Tana Umaga, Rodney So’oialo and was coached by Wallabies coach Dave Rennie.

Canterbury has the psychological edge coming into the final having outclassed Wellington 43-10 in round three of this year's competition.

Teams:

Canterbury: 1-Tamaiti Williams, 2-Brodie McAlister, 3-Owen Franks, 4-Zach Gallagher, 5-Dominic Gardiner, 6-Corey Kellow, 7-Tom Christie, 8-Billy Harmon (C), 9-Willi Heinz, 10-Fergus Burke, 11-George Bridge, 12-Rameka Poihipi, 13-Dallas McLeod, 14-Manasa Mataele, 15-Chay Fihaki          

Reserves: 16-George Bell, 17-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18-Oli Jager, 19-Luke Romano, 20-Reed Prinsep, 21-Mitchell Drummond, 22-Isaiah Punivai, 23-Ngatungane Punavai

Wellington: 1-Xavier Numia, 2-Asafo Aumua, 3-Pekahou Cowan (Later replaced by PJ Sheck), 4-James Blackwell, 5-Dominic Bird, 6-Caleb Delany, 7-Du'Plessis Kirifi (c), 8-Peter Lakai, 9-TJ Perenara, 10-Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11-Pepesana Patafilo, 12-Riley Higgins, 13-Billy Proctor, 14-Julian Savea, 15-Ruben Love

Reserves: 16-James O'Reilly, 17-PJ Sheck (Later replaced by Siale Lauaki), 18-Tietie Tuimauga, 19-Taine Plumtree, 20-Keelan Whitman, 21-Richard Judd, 22-Aidan Morgan, 23-Connor Garden-Bachop

6:50 PM: It's a beautiful day in Christchurch and we are just 15 minutes away from kick-off in what should be a scintillating final between two in-form teams.

A late change for Wellington with PJ Sheck coming into the starting side for an injured Pekahou Cowan with Siale Lauaki coming onto the bench.

7:04 PM: Both sides are out on the field, the national anthem has been played and we are just moments away from kick-off.

KICK OFF: Wellington's Jackson Garden-Bachop gets this NPC final underway from Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch (And away we go! The Bunnings NPC title is on the line at Orangetheory Stadium).

2ND MINUTE, SCRUM FEED CANTERBURY: Both sides trade kicks to start the contest before Wellington spill a high kick from Heinz and it will be a scrum to Canterbury on halfway.

3RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Even scrum from both sides and Canterbury is on the front foot after a strong run from Bridge. After eight phases, Aumua stripes the ball off Canterbury in the tackle but it goes forward and is a knock-on.

SCRUM FEED WELLINGTON: It will be a scrum to Canterbury on Wellington's 10-metre line.

5TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Canterbury are continuing to build pressure but Wellington's defence is standing firm. McLeod grubbers in behind but Savea cleans up just in front of his goal line. Garden-Bachop clears to just outside Wellington's 22.

7TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SCRUM FEED CANTERBURY: As Canterbury set up a rolling maul the ball comes out the back and hit Brendon Pickerill so will be a canterbury scrum.

PENALTY CANTERBURY: From the scrum Canterbury win a penalty against Numia for boring in (Front row angling in/not angling straight) and the home side will have a shot at goal to try get some early points to try reward their pressure.

8TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY GOAL CANTERBURY: The penalty goal from Burke goals straight down the middle to open the scoring (And Canterbury take the lead in the NPC final!). (CAN 3-0)

9TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM FEED CANTERBURY: The restart from Garden-Bachop goes straight out of play on the full and Canterbury will have a scrum on halfway.

10TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM FEED WELLINGTON: A mistake this time from Canterbury with Burke's kick going dead in goal and it will be a scrum to Wellington on the home sides 10-metre line.

12TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY WELLINGTON: Wellington is hot on attack after a break down the left from Aumua. The referee is playing advantage for an offside (Never onside) and Wellington builds the phases inside Canterbury's 22. After 10 phases, the attack comes to nothing but Wellington has a penalty just to the left of the posts.

The Lions will take a shot at goal to try to level the scores. 

14TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY GOAL WELLINGTON: Jackson Garden-Bachop makes no mistake and levels the scores. (3-3)

16TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Wellington clears from the ruck through Perenara and Canterbury will have a lineout just outside their own 22. 

TRY WELLINGTON: From the lineout, the Lions steal it and Kirifi fends off two defenders and breaks into the backfield. He draws and passes to love who scores in the corner. Great try Wellington!!

17TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), CONVERSION WELLINGTON: Garden-Bachop converts the try and Wellington opens up a seven-point lead. (WEL 10-3)

20TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Canterbury is building their attack just inside Wellington's half. McLeod puts a chip kick behind but Perenara is there to clean up. Garden-Bachop will clear with a high kick and Canterbury will start their attack again. 

SCRUM FEED CANTERBURY: McAlister burst down inside Wellington's 22 but his pass only finds Perenara. At the breakdown Canterbury win the scrum, which will be 15 metres out from the visitors' line, centre line.

22ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), TRY CANTERBURY: Canterbury strikes back after a great scrum. The home side comes to the right and a great backline move is finished in the corner but Mataele (Yes! He's over!). 

CONVERSION CANTERBURY: Burke converts the try from the sideline. (10-10)

23RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Canterbury clears nicely through Heinz who finds touch on halfway.

25TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Both sides trade kicks as they look to play territory. Love finds touch for Wellington bang on halfway.

26TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Wellington steals the ball at the breakdown and Savea clears down to Canterbury's 22.

PENALTY CANTERBURY: From the next breakdown, Wellington gives away a penalty for a tackler not releasing (No clear release) and the home side will have a lineout on halfway.

28TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY CANTERBURY: Canterbury is building the phases but the attack comes to nothing and the referee comes back for a penalty for a dangerous tackle (Head high tackle) by Kirifi. The home side will have a shot at goal from about 47 metres out to the right of the uprights. 

PENALTY GOAL MISS CANTERBURY: Burke penalty goal hits the upright and misses and Love clears down to just short of halfway.

30TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY CANTERBURY: Wellington steals the lineout and Lakai makes a barnstorming run but from the breakdown, Canterbury wins another penalty for not releasing ball or should I say, holding on (Oh what a turnover! What a turnover that is!) and Burke will have a shot at goal from 47-metres out centre field. 

PENALTY GOAL CANTERBURY: Burke nails it to put the home side in front. (CAN 13-10)

32ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY WELLINGTON: Wellington win the restart and build their attack just short of thee 22. After four phases, Tom Christie concedes a breakdown penalty for hands in the ruck (Second crack at the ball) and Wellington will have a shot at goal to level the scores. 

PENALTY GOAL MISS WELLINGTON: Garden-Bachop misses to the right. 22-metre drop-out to the home side.

34TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY WELLINGTON: Wellington starts to build their attack through strong runs from Lakai and Numia. At the breakdown, Wellington win a penalty for a Canterbury player who was never back onside (Not staying onside) and the visitors will have a lineout inside the 22.

36TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), SUBSTITUTION CANTERBURY: Change for Canterbury with George Bell on for an injured Brodie McAlister. 

TRY WELLINGTON: From the lineout, Wellington is building their attack and is just 15-metres out. Blackwell breaks a tackle and is brought down metres short. After 10 phases,  Aumua storms his way over to put Wellington back in front (The crowd are out of their seats, that is a try!). 

CONVERSION WELLINGTON: Garden-Bachop converts the try. (WEL 17-13)

38TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Big mistake from Wellington who pass the ball back into their 22 and kick the ball out on the full so Canterbury will have a lineout 20-metres out.

But Canterbury loses another lineout and Wellington clears down to halfway.

39TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): After a long passage of play with both sides attacking around halfway sees Fihaki clear into touch just inside Wellington's half. 

40TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY WELLINGTON: Wellington set a rolling maul as the siren goes for half-time. The maul gets down to halfway but Canterbury gives away a penalty for a side entry (In at the side/Joining maul incorrectly) off a maul and the visitors will have one final chance in the first half. 

Lineout to Wellington on Canterbury's 22.

HALF TIME: From the lineout, Wellington goes wide to the backs and Perenara grubbers in behind but the Canterbury clean up and kick the ball into touch to end the first half (And remember, the National Provincial Championship is at stake).

40TH MINUTE, SUBSTITUTION CANTERBURY: One change for Canterbury with Ngatungane Punivai on for Manasa Mataele. The home side gets the second half underway.  

42ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Canterbury builds their attack on halfway but Perenara rips the ball clear but his scuffed kick goes into touch on halfway. 

From the lineout Canterbury attack and after two good carries, Burke kicks into touch inside Wellington's 22.

43RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): After a brilliant high catch from Love, Perenara puts a pin point kick into touch inside Canterbury's 22 and it's a 50/22.

44TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY WELLINGTON: Wellington is attacking just inches short of Canterbury's line and the home side do well to hold on but concede a penalty for breaching the offside line (And it was of the Canterbury players who adjudged to be in an offside position in which he crept up) after eight phases.

PENALTY GOAL WELLINGTON: Wellington will have a shot at goal from right in front and Garden-Bachop nails it. (WEL 20-13)

46TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): The clearing kick from Perenara is touched and goes into touch just inside Canterbury's half, so the visitors will have a lineout.

49TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY WELLINGTON: The confidence is flowing through Wellington's attack as they play up-tempo rugby and get down to Canterbury's 22. Savea picks and goes and is just 15-metres out. After 16-phases, the referee plays advantage for holding on, as the attack continues but it comes to nothing. But it was 18-phases of brilliant attack but credit to the home side they hold on. 

PENALTY GOAL WELLINGTON: Wellington will have another shot at goal to extend their advantage. Garden-Bachop makes no mistake. (WEL 23-13)

50TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SUBSTITUTION CANTERBURY: Luke Romano and Reed Prinsep are on for Canterbury. The Wellington win the restart but it's messy but finally, Perenara clears down to halfway and the home side will build their attack.

52ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY WELLINGTON: Canterbury is starting to lift the tempo in their attack but Wellington has rolled their sleeves up and put big shots on in defence. After eight phases, Wellington wins a breakdown penalty through Caleb Delany who has been outstanding tonight (Delany, looking for the steal. Oh what a turnover!). 

Garden-Bachop misses touch and Canterbury clears down to halfway.

54TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Wellington is continuing to muscle up in defence and after nine phases of Canterbury attack which goes nowhere, the home side clears down to halfway.

56TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): From the lineout, Higgins makes a mini-break just inside Canterbury's half before they come wide to Aumua but Punavai makes a great tackle to force him into touch.

58TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): From the lineout, Wellington set the rolling maul and makes 10-metres before Perenara puts a high kick up which Canterbury deals with. From the breakdown, Burke puts a poor kick into touch just short of the home side's 22.

59TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Wellington is starting to win the territory battle in the second half, which is through their strong defence. Canterbury builds their attack just short of their own 10-metre line and Burke is forced to put a high kick up after their attack goes nowhere. 

SCRUM FEED WELLINGTON: From the kick, Canterbury knocks the ball on and it will be a scrum to Wellington on the home side's 10-metre line.

60TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM FEED CANTERBURY: After three phases of attack, Love knocks on a bullet-pass from Aidan Morgan and Canterbury will have a scrum on the 10-metre line.

64TH MINUTE (4 MINUTES LATER): Canterbury are continuing to struggle to make metres on the attack with Wellington very strong on defence. 

PENALTY WELLINGTON & PENALTY MISS WELLINGTON: The home side gets down to halfway but Lakai wins a breakdown penalty on halfway (Oh I think he got isolated I think. What a turnover that is!) and Aidan Morgan will have a shot at goal, which he pulls to the left.

66TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER), PENALTY CANTERBURY: Canterbury wins a penalty at the ruck for holding on/not releasing and they will have a lineout 35 metres out.

Is this the chance for the home side to get back into this final?

67TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM FEED WELLINGTON: From the lineout, Bridge storms into the 22. Canterbury is building their attack as the crowd finds their voice. After seven phases, Canterbury knocks the ball on to ease the pressure. 

Scrum to Wellington just 15-metres from their own try-line.

69TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): From the scrum, Love puts a great kick down field and goes into touch on halfway.

SCRUM FEED WELLINGTON: From the lineout, Wellington compete but Bird knocks it on competing in the air and the home side will have a scrum. 

70TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY WELLINGTON: Huge scrum from Wellington who pushes Canterbury off their own ball to win the penalty for not staying square (Not pushing straight). They choose to go for touch and they will have a lineout on Canterbury's 22.

72ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Canterbury steals the lineout but as the ball comes to centre-field to Prinsep he knocks it on. The home side are running out of time. Nine minutes remaining, can they get back into it?

SCRUM FEED WELLINGTON: Wellington will have a scrum 20-metres out from Canterbury's line.

75TH MINUTE (3 MINUTES LATER): Wellington is building their attack inside Canterbury's 22 as they look for the killer blow. Canterbury's defence is holding on but after 16-phases, the referee plays advantage so, Morgan goes for a drop-goal but misses.

PENALTY WELLINGTON & PENALTY MISS WELLINGTON: The referee comes back for the penalty for an offside and Morgan will have a shot at goal, which he pulls to the left again.

77TH MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): Canterbury wins the ball back from the 22 and build their attack inside their own half. Christie breaks downfield and offloads to Fihaki. 

TRY CANTERBURY: Fihaki grubbers downfield into Wellington's 22 and the Canterbury fullback is taken out but it doesn't matter with Punivai winning the foot race to score in the corner. 

YELLOW CARD WELLINGTON & CONVERSION MISS CANTERBURY: Burke can't convert and Richard Judd is yellow carded for the late shot (Late hit). (WEL 23-18)

78TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Canterbury knocks the ball on from the kickoff and Whitman storms down to 15-metres short of the Canterbury line with two minutes remaining.

79TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY WELLINGTON & PENALTY GOAL WELLINGTON: After eight phases of attack, Wellington wins a penalty at the breakdown for an illegal entry (Incorrect entry) and Love will have a shot at goal to seal the result. Love nails it to give Wellington an eight-point lead. (WEL 26-18)

FULL TIME: Wellington wins the restart and boots the ball into touch to the contest and ends their 22-year title drought. What a season for Wellington. They win the NPC title and are also the holders of the Ranfurly Shield (There goes the siren, Lakai grabs it, kicks it into touch, & the drought is broken! Wellington, win the NPC title in 2022!).

FULL TIME

CANTERBURY 18 WELLINGTON 26

CANTERBURY: Mataele, Punivai tries, Burke 2 penalty goals, conversion, Love penalty goal

WELLINGTON: Love, Aumua tries, Garden-Bachop 3 penalty goals, 2 conversions

And what do I think of that memorable final? It was astonishing, aboslutely breathtaking but full credit given to the Wellingtonians (And I mean it is good that they won in the end) in which they claimed the NPC championship for the first time since 2000, not only they had a great game themselves in which they fought hard to successfully claim it on enemy territory (And it was one of the best NPC finals I have ever watched for a long time but Wellington end the year 2022 on a high note as both Ranfurly Shield holders & NPC title winners) but commiserations for the Cantabrians (Who last won it in 2017 but what a disappointing end for Canterbury, what a match for our viewers right around the world (I wonder what the headlines will say: WELLINGTON END 22 YEAR NPC TITLE WAIT or more like CANTERBURY FALL SHORT OF NATIONAL PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP CROWN), I mean, wow!) as they had to give it their all when they put up a great fight, but they missed out in front of their Canterbury faithful meaning that the drought of winning the NPC title continues (And thank goodness the rugby season is now officially over this year with the Women's Rugby World Cup still going, especially here in our country of New Zealand because we are now into the cricket season which had just begun already, bring on 2023 (But first is the Six Nations followed by Super Rugby Pacific then the Rugby Championship as well as the National Provincial Championship & of course the big one which is rugby union's global showpiece event, the Rugby World Cup in France (Who are looking to emulate the French football team's success in both the 1998 & 2018 Football World Cups & hoping to end 36 years of agony & pain after appearing in the Rugby World Cup final three times but has never won one of them as I mentioned in my previous blogs but the Springboks of South Africa (Who are gunning to become the 2nd side to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup after the All Blacks of New Zealand (Who haven't triumphed since 2015 in which they are seeking to return to glory after a semifinal loss against the English in 2019) in 2015) begin the tournament as the defending 3 time world champions after previously winning the 2019 edition of the tournament against the All Black conquerors in the semifinal of England (One of 3 sides along with Australia (One of 5 rugby playing nations that have appeared in the final before) & New Zealand to appear in the final 4 times at the tournament (While both France (Who has never won) & South Africa (Compared to the French in which they have never lost) had appeared 3 times before in the final) in the final in Yokohama, Japan by becoming a global superpower in international rugby union (And they have never lost a Rugby World Cup final before every time they have appeared (They were 3 out of 3 in which they have been undefeated so far (1995 against the AB's & England twice in 2007 & the most recent one in 2019) but Ireland have taken over as the favourites tag since they're now the top ranked rugby union playing nation in the world & has never reached both the semis & final in the tournament's history).

And finally in Heartland Championship news such as Whanganui (Who had reached their 1st Meads Cup final since 2019 after winning the Lochore Cup last year against North Otago here in Whanganui) fall short on against a dominant South Canterbury side who successfully retained the Meads Cup as they complete another undefeated season in which they never lost a game since 2019 (And they must've been some good players that have won them the title but Leatigaga's try off an intercept was the turning point of ending Whanganui's hopes of Meads Cup glory), a day before East Coast edge Mid Canterbury to claim the Lochore Cup in Ruatoria, 10 years after their Meads Cup triumph (And this was before the Lochore Cup final that a rugby player got collapsed & passed away from it during a centennial celebration match (And they had to observe a moment of silence then the New Zealand national anthem had been played & an emotional haka performed by Ngati Porou East Coast in honor of the deceased player just moments before the game) which was abandoned.

So that is my 470th blog of the year 2022 (MMXXII) & my 18th of this year, stay safe & one love, viva Ukraine.