Well, another fantastic win against the AB's, this time against Ireland (Who nearly had it should they won but their drought of reaching their 1st semi at the Rugby World Cup continues as New Zealand had ended the incredible 17 match winning streak of the defending Six Nations champions Ireland) at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis during this year's Rugby World Cup in a hard fought quarterfinal win in what was to be Johnny Sexton's final ever test match (Remember he made his test debut against Fiji back in 2009), to book us a place in the semifinal of the tournament, so let's relive the live updates of the last 13 minutes of the quarterfinal match according to Newshub:
THE LAST 13 - IRE VS NZL
70TH MINUTE, PENALTY IRELAND (NOT RELEASING): Ioane claims a long restart, working outside the 22, with another phase before New Zealand cleared long. Sexton returned nicely, before another chip in behind. B Barrett did well to keep it in, but it put pressure on Lienert-Brown, and Ireland won the turnover penalty! To the corner again!
72ND MINUTE (2 MINUTES LATER): JORDIE BARRETT SAVES THE DAY FOR NEW ZEALAND! It was lobbed in for a drive, and once again Ireland rumbled for the line. They looked certain to score, when Kelleher peeled away, but Barrett lodged himself under it, holding it up! Line dropout to come.
73RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), SCRUM ALL BLACKS: DORIS KNOCKS IT ON! Huge moment as he spills the restart! New Zealand will pack a scrum 55m out from the line.
74TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): New Zealand look to milk a penalty, but don't get it, working up over halfway to the short side via the run of Mo'unga. Hard carries from New Zealand, one-off whilst they are down to 14. Cane then Whitelock, worming just shy of the 10m line.
75TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Smith box kicks, with O'Brien just about claiming it, before being driven over the sideline. Coles to throw the lineout on the 10m line.
76TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), DROP GOAL MISS (B. BARRETT): New Zealand go to a drive, happily killing time in and around the fringes before J Barrett carted in midfield. Mo'unga chipped in behind, seeing it roll into the in-goal where Ireland had to force for a line dropout.
New Zealand are back to 15.
B Barrett winds up from 50m out, with nobody on him off the restart, but he hooks it horribly towards the corner. Forced for a 22m dropout.
77TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Whitelock claims and New Zealand go to work, pick and going across the halfway line. Smith looked to milk a penalty before eventually box-kicking, sending it up towards the 22. O'Brien claims, settling just back of the 10m line.
78TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Aki works left into space, before the defensive pattern settled as runners bashed over halfway. A couple of big hits from New Zealand, but a good tip ball by Doris gets Ireland to the 10m line.
79TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Lowe is chopped, before Beirne followed in midfield. Slow ball for Ireland up to 16 phases. They have it 35m from the line. THIS IS THE GAME!
80TH MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Ireland work a flank to get Conan closer to the 22, before Lowe worked in midfield. Then Aki, Kelleher next but the All Blacks haven't missed. O'Brien uses the left edge to earn 5m. 23 phases now!
80TH MINUTE + 1ST MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Conan bashes into the 22, before Savea had a go. He couldn't get it, with a couple more bashes away to the left. Kelleher into the 22...
80TH MINUTE + 2ND MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER): Doris then Beirne, 33 phases now but Ireland are still 22m out. Aki makes a strong bust to get it 15m from the chalk, before Conan followed. Another big carry follows closer infield.
80TH MINUTE + 3RD MINUTE (1 MINUTE LATER), PENALTY ALL BLACKS (NOT RELEASING): THE ALL BLACKS DO IT! 38 PHASES! COURAGE, STRENGTH, INTEGRITY! INCREDIBLE EFFORT, AND FINALLY WHITELOCK GETS IN OVER THE BALL TO TURN IT OVER! He wins the penalty, New Zealand tap and kick it into touch, that is the end of one of the all-time great World Cup games.
FULL TIME: 24 - 28
Wow. Just wow. That was some game, one of the all-time great games. It was the unstoppable force versus the immovable object at the end there, and it spoke of the heart this All Blacks team have, as after 38 phases, tackle after tackle, the veteran Sam Whitelock got in over the ball to win the crucial turnover. Heartbreak for Ireland, ecstasy for New Zealand, who march on into next week's semi-finals.
You have to feel for Ireland. This is an incredible side, who were world number one for good reason, but their quarter-final curse continues. They gave it their all, but have fallen short after winning 17 on the trot leading into this one. Their slow start might have cost them, though equally, they will feel like they did enough to work their way back into the game. It seemed to be flowing their way when they crashed in for a penalty try, but they never scored again, and will have to live with that for another four years - and in truth, for much longer than that. That is the end for this team, the ageless Johnny Sexton finally bows out, and he isn't the only one who won't be there in four years time. He left everything out there, as did his whole side, who threw everything they had at the All Blacks, but today the execution was not quite there.
What a win that is for New Zealand. They have played many a World Cup knockout game, but as a contest there have been few like that. It had the intensity and quality for a final, with both sides not willing to give an inch, but a few extra moments of quality got them over the line. First the try to Fainga'anuku, and that later one to Jordan, you wonder whether Ireland could score a try like that. Pace, and power to the line, don't underestimate the work of Mo'unga to draw defenders to the line. It is the forwards who will take the accolades, and in particular Sam Cane and Ardie Savea who were terrific in contact and at the breakdown. Both Retallick and Whitelock also grabbed turnovers, showing the brilliant work New Zealand did around the breakdown. Jordie Barrett too was immense in what was the biggest game of his career to date. They'll get straight into recovery, before turning their attention towards Argentina in next week's semi-final.
That is all from the Stade de France tonight. Terrific quarter-final rugby, where in the end New Zealand managed to get home.
And here are the other results from the quarterfinals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup that have just come in:
Wales 17 - 29 Argentina (It was Argentina's day as they save themselves from getting knocked out against Wales at Stade de Marseille in Marseille with the Argentinians provided both defining moments such as Argentinan reserve back Matias Moroni saving a try off Louis Rees-Zammit, then wily old Argentinan veteran Nicolas Sanchez who intercepted a Welsh pass as he raced all the way to the try line to score to seal a place in the semi against the All Blacks)
England 30 - 24 Fiji (And it was England's day as they gain revenge against Fiji (Who are in their 1st quarterfinal at a Rugby World Cup since 2007 but they didn't quite do the job on that occasion) after bouncing back from defeat against them before the tournament in Marseille (Although Farrell didn't play as he was suspended of course, along with Billy Vunipola), but Owen Farrell's drop goal provided a key pivotal moment in the quarterfinal therefore the English had denied Fiji their tremendous fightback that they had through terrible officiating)
& France 28 - 29 South Africa (It was South Africa's night as they stave off elimination for their hunt towards of retaining the crown as well as their unprecedented 4th RWC championship to down the hosts France (Led by Antoine Dupont who had to wear a scrum cap since his cheekbone had been fractured during the pool game against Namibia) who had just suffered a World Cup heartbreak at home at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, & they could've used Romain Ntamack should he had not been injured as the South Africans have handed France their first defeat since against Scotland at Murrayfield in August this year (And it was a great game that Carole alluded to as she watched it, but it was the South Africans who prevailed in the end by a whisker)
And here is the confirmed list for the semifinal matches being played for which I'm looking forward to:
Argentina Vs New Zealand (Their most recent meeting at a Rugby World Cup was 8 years ago when the All Blacks ran out as winners as both halfback Aaron Smith & reserve loose forward Sam Cane dotted it down against Argentina in our World Cup opener at Wembley Stadium in London, England back in 2015 despite both captain at the time of Richie McCaw & centre Conrad Smith had picked up yellow cards during the game for the AB's)
& England Vs South Africa (The last time both of these sides had met at a Rugby World Cup was during the final in 2019 at Yokohama Stadium in Yokohama, Japan where the Springboks had a comprehensive win against England to be crowned the world champions for the 3rd time as they ended a 12 year wait of winning rugby's global showpiece event, in a rematch of the 2007 final (Including both wingers Makazole Mapimpi & Cheslin Kolbe became the 1st 2 try scorers for the Springboks at a Rugby World Cup final), & their first in 12 years)
And the war between Hamas & Israel is ongoing as many American cities such as New York, Los Angeles & in the UK have made the decision to heighten security due to tensions surrounding the war therefore protecting schools, mosques & Jewish centres that fear for their own safety in which ordinary people are living in fear in response to mass protests being triggered between the Jews & the Muslims, but continuing onto the war as the Israelis launch an offensive attack as rockets have been fired into Israel amid Hamas war & Gaza raid (And also the hostage crisis had taken place as many women & children have been kidnapped by Hamas forces including 27 Americans whose lives had been taken away, but the rave festival should've been called off when Hamas militant fighters had infiltrated).
And in men's Cricket World Cup news such as Afghanistan pulled off a miraculous victory over reigning champs England as they claimed the biggest upset in men's CWC history (And South Africa has beaten Australia (Who defeated Sri Lanka with Glenn Maxwell having a late surge towards victory with his batting ability) again then the Black Caps who had a win against Bangladesh with Daryl Mitchell scoring a creditable 89 not out as well as New Zealand captain Kane Williamson who had to retire hurt at 78 but he might be ruled out of the next game against the giant killers of Afghanistan, while India maintain their 100% winning record at a men's Cricket World Cup against rivals Pakistan) for their 2nd win at a men's CWC as well as their first since 2015 against Scotland in Dunedin, New Zealand then the unthinkable has happened as the Netherlands pulled off the biggest boilover in men's Cricket World Cup history as they upstaged South Africa with Australian born Dutch captain Scott Edwards providing the heroics as he scored 78 not out then Roelof van der Merwe (A South African born player of Dutch origin) had a cameo role as he scored 29 to put them back into the contest.
And finally that we have our new Prime Minister of our country with Christopher Luxon victorious over Chris Hipkins in the New Zealand general election on the 14th of October as he takes charge of our country from Hipkins in the aftermath of National's successful election campaign that they just had meaning that National is back in power for the first time since 2017.
So that is my 523rd blog of the year 2023 (MMXXIII) & my 47th of this year, viva Ukraine.
P.S. And the All Blacks team has been revealed ahead of our gigantic semifinal clash against Argentina (The last time we met the Argentinians in international rugby, it was this year in Mendoza in the Rugby Championship opener as went on to win the test which was overshadowed by the injury of Fijian born young AB's winger of Emoni Narawa, but Argentina have never beaten the AB's since last year in Christchurch, & also we never lost against them at a RWC (And every time we win a Rugby World Cup, we would always beat Argentina first, whether it's a pool game in both 1987 & 2015, or a quarterfinal in 2011), so here is the starting lineup according to coach Fozzy (Ian Foster):
STARTING XV
FORWARD PACK
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Ethan de Groot (Highlanders/Southland)
2 (Hooker): Codie Taylor (Crusaders/Canterbury)
3 (Tight head prop): Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes/Tasman)
SECOND ROW
4 (No.4 lock): Sam Whitelock (Crusaders/Canterbury)
5 (No.5 lock): Scott Barrett (Crusaders/Taranaki)
LOOSE FORWARDS
6 (Blind side flanker): Shannon Frizell (Highlanders/Tasman)
7 (Open side flanker): Sam Cane (Captain, Chiefs/Bay of Plenty)
8 (Number 8): Ardie Savea (Hurricanes/Wellington)
BACK LINE
HALVES
9 (Half-back): Aaron Smith (Highlanders/Manawatu)
10 (First five-eighth): Richie Mo'unga (Crusaders/Canterbury)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth): Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes/Taranaki)
13 (Centre): Rieko Ioane (Blues/Auckland)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): Mark Telea (Blues/North Harbour)
14 (Right wing): Will Jordan (Crusaders/Tasman)
& 15 (Fullback): Beauden Barrett (Blues/Taranaki)
& REPLACEMENT PLAYERS
16 (Reserve hooker): Samisoni Taukei'aho (Who takes Dane Coles's place at the reserve hooker position)
17 (Reserve loose head prop): Tamaiti Williams
18 (Reserve tight head prop): Fletcher Newell
19 (Reserve lock): Brodie Retallick (Who is dropped to the bench with Sam Whitelock elevated to the starting lineup to start as the number 4 lock position)
20 (Reserve loose forward): Dalton Papali'i
21 (Reserve half-back): Finlay Christie
22 (Reserve first-five eighth): Damian McKenzie
& 23 (Reserve back): Anton Lienert-Brown
And the opponents Argentina led by their ever-impressive veteran Julian Montoya have named their strongest possible lineup when they take to the field against the All Blacks as they set to end New Zealand's bid of reaching our first final since 2015 &, in counter point that we haven't won the Rugby World Cup in 8 years, so here is the starting lineup according to Australian born coach Michael Chieka:
STARTING XV
FORWARD PACK
FRONT ROW
1 (Loose head prop): Thomas Gallo (Benetton)
2 (Hooker): Julian Montoya (Captain, Leicester Tigers)
3 (Tight head prop): Francisco Gomez Kodela (Lyon)
SECOND ROW
4 (No.4 lock): Guido Petti (Bordeaux Begles)
5 (No.5 lock): Tomas Lavanini (Clermont)
LOOSE FORWARDS
6 (Blind side flanker): Juan Martin Gonzalez (Saracens)
7 (Open side flanker): Marcos Kremer (Clermont)
8 (Number 8): Facundo Isa (Toulon)
BACK LINE
HALVES
9 (Half-back/Scrum-half): Gonzalo Bertranou (Dragons)
10 (First five-eighth/Fly-half): Santiago Carreras (Gloucester)
MIDFIELD
12 (Second five-eighth/Inside centre): Santiago Chocobares (Toulouse)
13 (Centre/Outside centre): Lucio Cinti (Saracens)
OUTSIDE BACKS
11 (Left wing): Mateo Carreras (Newcastle Falcons)
14 (Right wing): Emiliano Boffelli (Edinburgh)
& 15 (Fullback): Juan Cruz Mallia (Toulouse)
& REPLACEMENT PLAYERS
16 (Reserve hooker): Agustin Creevy
17 (Reserve loose head prop): Joel Sclavi
18 (Reserve tight head prop): Eduardo Bello
19 (Reserve lock): Matias Alemanno
20 (Reserve loose forward): Rodrigo Bruni
21 (Reserve half-back/scrum-half): Lautaro Bazan Velez
22 (Reserve first five-eighth/fly-half): Nicolas Sanchez
& 23 (Reserve back): Matias Moroni.
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