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.
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