Well, the #AllBlacks Rugby World Cup campaign started with a win over Argentina 26 - 16 with tries scored by Aaron Smith (The Luke Ronchi of rugby) and Sam Cane as well as Daniel Carter (The Daniel Vettori/Shaun Johnson of rugby union) landing both conversions and 4 penalties (Although Captain Richie McCaw (The Brendon McCullum/Simon Mannering of rugby union) and Conrad Smith (The Trent Boult of rugby union) were both sent to the bin for tripping and an illegal turnover respectively).
And after the Argentina win, Sam Cane led the charge against Namibia winning 58 - 14 (The try scorers were Victor Vito, Nehe Milner-Skudder (Who got it twice), Malakai Fekitoa, Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea (The Martin Guptill/Manu Vatuvei of rugby union, who also dotted it down twice), Ben Smith (The Grant Elliott of rugby) & Codie Taylor) before facing Georgia with Waisake Naholo scoring the opening try as well as Savea who got a hat-trick of tries, Dane Coles, Kieran Read (The Kane Williamson of rugby) and Fekitoa were the try scorers (Although Dan Carter got 4 conversions) but the man of the match award went to Mamuka Gorgodze who played well.
And then, the AB's played their final pool game against Tonga over in Newcastle with Ben Smith scoring a try along with Tony Woodcock (His World Cup was over after he injured his hamstring effectively ending his rugby career), Milner-Skudder (Who got a brace), Sonny Bill Williams (The Ross Taylor of rugby), Sam Cane & Ma'a Nonu (The Tim Southee of rugby union) in his 100th test with Dan Carter kicking 6 conversions.
But the All Blacks faced a uphill quarterfinal challenge with France as lock Brodie Retallick (The Corey Anderson of rugby) opened the scoring with a try from a charge-down off Frederic Michalak followed by Nehe Milner-Skudder but he was injured so he was declared fit for the next game, then Savea scoring 3 brilliant, absolutely brilliant tries to earn another hat-trick, then it was Jerome Kaino, then Read and Tawera Kerr-Barlow who got a brace as well as Daniel Carter picked up 7 conversions and a penalty (Not only because that match, was the largest winning margin in a RWC knockout-stage game as well as the 9 tries scored by New Zealand is the most scored by one team in a RWC knockout-stage game).
And then, it is semifinal time (I label that game as Judgment Day) as the AB's took on the Springboks (Who had lost to Japan in an historic upset) were they were comprehensively won 20 - 18 by going through to the World Cup final in an attempt to go back to back with tries scored by both Kaino (Who got yellow carded along with Bryan Habana) and Barrett with Dan Carter landing 2 conversions, 1 single penalty and a drop goal while Handre Pollard- landed 5 penalties compared to Patrick/Pat Lambie's 1.
And so then for the #Wallabies (Led by the Michael Clarke/Cameron Smith of rugby union, Stephen Moore) as their RWC started with a win over Fiji 28 - 13 with tries by the dangerous David Pocock (The Mitchell Starc/Johnathan Thurston of rugby union) who got a brace and loosehead prop Sekope Kepu with Bernard 'Iceman' Foley (The Steve Smith of rugby) landing 2 conversions and 3 penalties.
And after the Fiji win, Dean Mumm led the charge against Uruguay winning 65 - 3 (The try scorers were the young 21 year old flamboyant Sean McMahon (Who dotted it down twice), Joe Tomane, Henry Speight, Ben McCalman (Who also dotted it down twice with Tomane and Drew Mitchell (The Shane Watson of rugby), Matt Toomua and Tevita Kuridrani (Quade Cooper nailed 5 conversions out of 11) before facing the hosts England because they were in all sorts of trouble after losing to Wales so the English needed to win to stay in the hunt but they didn't, losing the game by 20 points (33 - 13 was the score, ensuring/meaning that England are out of the World cup on their own) with tries scored by Foley who picked up 2 and Matt Giteau.
And then, Australia played their final pool game against Wales to decide who will top Pool A but the real winner went to the Wallabies (They were without Michael Hooper (The Mitchell Johnson of rugby) due to suspension for a dangerous cleanout in a ruck during the England game) as they lost Will Genia and Mumm due to yellow card offences but they showed their class as the Wallabies had one of their best defences in the history of the tournament not only because Australia is widely regarded as the best defence (Best D) in the competition eventually winning 15 - 6 by advancing to the quarterfinals by topping Pool A.
And then for the quarterfinals, Australia accepted their quarterfinal challenge against Scotland winning by a single point (35 - 34) but the match will be remembered when referee Craig Joubert controversially awarded a penalty to the Wallabies for going in front which cost Scotland the game but he should've awarded the scrum after an original knock-on.
But things have settled down as they clashed with Argentina in the semifinals but a Adam Ashley-Cooper (The David Warner of rugby) hat-trick sets up an all important 1st ever Trans-Tasman final (Although this scenario is going to be like the Cricket World Cup) ensuring Australia have won the game 29 - 15.
And yes, the very 1st time ever there will be a Trans-Tasman Rugby World Cup final which will be occurred between 2 heavyweights of the rugby world, the All Black of New Zealand up against the green and gold of the Wallabies, so uh, which will it be? (And who will strike, their name across, rugby history?)
P.S. SPOILER ALERT! I REPEAT, SPOILER ALERT!!! McCaw is free to play in the Rugby World Cup final because their have been no citings so far that videos suggested that McCaw struck Springbok blindside flanker Francois Louw with the elbow but it was an accident according to the slow-mo replay.
#NZLVSAUS, BRINGING RUGBY WORLD CUP HOME
Sunday, 25 October 2015
Saturday, 24 October 2015
2015 Rugby World Cup Round Up (Shortest & quickest blog ever made)
So this is it, the All Blacks have made it through to the World Cup final beating South Africa by 2 points (I was worried that New Zealand were going to lose but I only watched the 1st half but I wasn't interested watching the 2nd half so I was more interested of watching the game if the All Blacks led) but the biggest highlight of the tournament was Japan beating South Africa 34 - 32 in a memorable but historic upset in RWC history which turned the whole world upside down & England getting knocked out of the Rugby World Cup on their home turf after losses against both Wales & the Wallabies meaning that they failed to qualify to the quarterfinals (Although they both beat Fiji & Uruguay in the pool games but both losses sent them packing) as well as the All Blacks thrashing the French 62 - 13 in the quarter finals (With Julian Savea bagging 3 tries) but who will take on New Zealand, will it be Argentina or Australia, you be the judge.
P.S. I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way
P.S. I don't ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way
Friday, 18 September 2015
Breaking Dawn: The 2015 Rugby World Cup preview
Well, it is finally here after 4 long years, the 2015 Rugby World Cup...now in this blog, I'll preview about the upcoming 2015 Rugby World Cup being held in England as well as telling the history of both Rugby and previous World Cups.
But 1st off, it is #rugbyworldcup fever time in #england as it plays host to this years tournament so I will give you the full rundown on all the 20 teams competing in the Pools:
Pool A: Australia/Wallabies (Rugby Championship winners of 2015 led by the incomparable hooker Stephen Moore and coached by the highly controversial Michael Cheika), England (The hosts captained by Chris Robshaw with Stuart Lancaster being the coach), Wales (Sam Warburton is the captain while New Zealander Warren Gatland is the coach), Fiji (Crusaders star player Nemani Nadolo is the danger man) & Uruguay (Who hasn't been competing at the World Cup since 2003)
Pool B: South Africa/Springboks (Led by the influential Jean de Villiers & coached by Heyneke Meyer), Samoa (Featuring Chiefs player & Sonny Bill Williams cousin, Tim Nanai-Williams), Scotland (Also featuring NZ born player Sean Maitland coached by Big Vern Cotter), Japan (And also featuring halfback Fumiaki Tanaka who plays for the Highlanders as well as the team being coached by Australian Eddie Jones because he is of Japanese descent) & the United States (Chris Wyles is the skipper)
Pool C: New Zealand/All Blacks (Defending world champions led by World Cup Winner Richie McCaw and coached by Steve Hansen who took over from Sir Graham 'Ted' Henry), Argentina (Captained by Agustin Creevy), Tonga (Nili Latu is the captain), Georgia (Led by Mamuka Gorgodze) & Namibia (Jacques Burger is the skipper)
Pool D: France (Led by Thierry Dusautoir and coached by Philippe Saint-Andre), Ireland (Six Nations Champions captained by Paul O'Connell with another New Zealander Joe Schmidt being the coach), Italy (Sergio Parisse is the captain), Canada (Led by Tyler Ardron and coached by ex All Black Kieran Crowley) & Romania (Mihai Macovei is the skipper).
And who is going to win it? We will find it out, once the tournament's over before we know it, but all will be revealed.
And yes the game was indeed invented by William Webb Ellis the great who invented the game by picking up and ran the ball with it because it was against the rules in football/soccer so a new sport was created way back then.
The 1st World Cup was held back in 1987 with the All Blacks dominated the tournament in which they beat Italy (Including that all time great try from John Kirwan as well as Michael Jones scoring the 1st genuine try of the World Cup because the very 1st try of the World Cup was a penalty try), Fiji and Argentina in the pool games before taking on Scotland in the quarterfinals in which they won and Wales in the semifinals (Huw Richards got sent off for throwing that punch before Wayne 'Buck' Shelford threw a punch on Richards which went unpunished) before clashing with traditional rivals France (Who beat Australia with a desperate last minute try scored by Serge Blanco) in the final moments before New Zealand beat France 29 - 9 (With some great tries being scored by captain David Kirk as well as Kirwan) to win the very 1st ever Rugby World Cup title with Kirk lifting the World Cup title as seen on national television.
And then in 1991 (The year that I was born), the All Blacks world cup curse had begun, losing to eventual champions Australia in the semifinal who beat hosts England in the final...then in 1995, disaster struck as New Zealand (Which featured rugby's 1st global superstar, Jonah Lomu) failed to regain the crown (With several players fell victim to food poisoning with the exception of captain Sean Fitzpatrick and the Brooke brothers of Robin & Zinzan), losing to debutants and hosts South Africa in the final in which united the host country as well as their leader Nelson Mandela, but in 1999, the All Blacks took on rivals and eventual runners up France (Who lost to the eventual champions Australia) in the semifinal but nek minute, they were torn sky blast apart from the French who enjoyed an insane amount of rugby during the 2nd half and then in 2003, something went wrong for the All Blacks during the semifinals as Stirling Mortlock's intercept try for the Wallabies ended New Zealand's hopes of reaching the World Cup final, which was won by England and in 2007 during the quarterfinals, France terminated the All Blacks dream of winning the World Cup just like as it was repeating the heroics way back in '99 through a blatant forward pass not seen by English referee Wayne Barnes (Although South Africa won the tourney beating England in the final).
And so on in 2011, the All Blacks opened with a win over the kingdom of Tonga (Who hijacked us at the start) at Eden Park in Auckland (41 - 10) followed by Japan at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton 83 - 7 (The night before the mighty green throng of Ireland turned the tables on Australia, causing an upset), then France in Auckland (37 - 17) with captain Richie McCaw becoming the 1st All Black to reach 100 test caps followed by beating Canada at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington 79 - 15 (The day after Tonga providing another upset victory over France as well as Dan Carter, who was ruled out of the tournament altogether with a groin injury), then it is quarter final time as we scraped Argentina 33 - 10 in Auckland (Although Colin Slade suffered an injury similar to Dan Carter's), then finally beating against our traditional Trans Tasman rivals Australia (Who defeated South Africa in the quarter final which was better off forgotten) in the semifinal 20 - 6 (It was the night after the French flair titans (Who gave England the chop in the quarterfinal) defeated the Welsh (Who had beaten the mighty green throng in the quarters) in the other semifinal in which Sam Warburton got sent off for that famous spear tackle) before we once again took on France in the final, just as it was back in 1987, with the weight of the nation above our shoulders (Although Stephen 'Beaver' Donald was called up in the last minute whilst he was white baiting, YA GOT THAT!! WHITEBAITING), we have won us the CUP!!! HAIL TO THE KING BABY!!! I'VE GOT BALLS OF STEEL!!! And yeah, not only that we have ended our Rugby World Cup curse after 24 years of agony and pain, as if, not ONLY we beat France 8 - 7, we have managed to lift the World Cup trophy, not only because it is the greatest moment of my life.
P.S. England has just opened up their RWC campaign with a win over Fiji 35 - 11 with fullback Mike Brown claiming man of the match honours as well as the All Blacks had already named their team to play against Argentina in our bid to retain the William Webb Ellis trophy with several players making their World Cup debut in the starting lineup including hooker Dane Coles, lock Brodie Retallick, halfback Aaron Smith, wingers Julian Savea & Nehe Milner-Skudder & fullback Ben Smith. And on the bench is props Wyatt Crockett & Charlie Faumuina, openside flanker Sam Cane, halfback TJ Perenara & 1st five eighth Beauden Barrett.
But 1st off, it is #rugbyworldcup fever time in #england as it plays host to this years tournament so I will give you the full rundown on all the 20 teams competing in the Pools:
Pool A: Australia/Wallabies (Rugby Championship winners of 2015 led by the incomparable hooker Stephen Moore and coached by the highly controversial Michael Cheika), England (The hosts captained by Chris Robshaw with Stuart Lancaster being the coach), Wales (Sam Warburton is the captain while New Zealander Warren Gatland is the coach), Fiji (Crusaders star player Nemani Nadolo is the danger man) & Uruguay (Who hasn't been competing at the World Cup since 2003)
Pool B: South Africa/Springboks (Led by the influential Jean de Villiers & coached by Heyneke Meyer), Samoa (Featuring Chiefs player & Sonny Bill Williams cousin, Tim Nanai-Williams), Scotland (Also featuring NZ born player Sean Maitland coached by Big Vern Cotter), Japan (And also featuring halfback Fumiaki Tanaka who plays for the Highlanders as well as the team being coached by Australian Eddie Jones because he is of Japanese descent) & the United States (Chris Wyles is the skipper)
Pool C: New Zealand/All Blacks (Defending world champions led by World Cup Winner Richie McCaw and coached by Steve Hansen who took over from Sir Graham 'Ted' Henry), Argentina (Captained by Agustin Creevy), Tonga (Nili Latu is the captain), Georgia (Led by Mamuka Gorgodze) & Namibia (Jacques Burger is the skipper)
Pool D: France (Led by Thierry Dusautoir and coached by Philippe Saint-Andre), Ireland (Six Nations Champions captained by Paul O'Connell with another New Zealander Joe Schmidt being the coach), Italy (Sergio Parisse is the captain), Canada (Led by Tyler Ardron and coached by ex All Black Kieran Crowley) & Romania (Mihai Macovei is the skipper).
And who is going to win it? We will find it out, once the tournament's over before we know it, but all will be revealed.
And yes the game was indeed invented by William Webb Ellis the great who invented the game by picking up and ran the ball with it because it was against the rules in football/soccer so a new sport was created way back then.
The 1st World Cup was held back in 1987 with the All Blacks dominated the tournament in which they beat Italy (Including that all time great try from John Kirwan as well as Michael Jones scoring the 1st genuine try of the World Cup because the very 1st try of the World Cup was a penalty try), Fiji and Argentina in the pool games before taking on Scotland in the quarterfinals in which they won and Wales in the semifinals (Huw Richards got sent off for throwing that punch before Wayne 'Buck' Shelford threw a punch on Richards which went unpunished) before clashing with traditional rivals France (Who beat Australia with a desperate last minute try scored by Serge Blanco) in the final moments before New Zealand beat France 29 - 9 (With some great tries being scored by captain David Kirk as well as Kirwan) to win the very 1st ever Rugby World Cup title with Kirk lifting the World Cup title as seen on national television.
And then in 1991 (The year that I was born), the All Blacks world cup curse had begun, losing to eventual champions Australia in the semifinal who beat hosts England in the final...then in 1995, disaster struck as New Zealand (Which featured rugby's 1st global superstar, Jonah Lomu) failed to regain the crown (With several players fell victim to food poisoning with the exception of captain Sean Fitzpatrick and the Brooke brothers of Robin & Zinzan), losing to debutants and hosts South Africa in the final in which united the host country as well as their leader Nelson Mandela, but in 1999, the All Blacks took on rivals and eventual runners up France (Who lost to the eventual champions Australia) in the semifinal but nek minute, they were torn sky blast apart from the French who enjoyed an insane amount of rugby during the 2nd half and then in 2003, something went wrong for the All Blacks during the semifinals as Stirling Mortlock's intercept try for the Wallabies ended New Zealand's hopes of reaching the World Cup final, which was won by England and in 2007 during the quarterfinals, France terminated the All Blacks dream of winning the World Cup just like as it was repeating the heroics way back in '99 through a blatant forward pass not seen by English referee Wayne Barnes (Although South Africa won the tourney beating England in the final).
And so on in 2011, the All Blacks opened with a win over the kingdom of Tonga (Who hijacked us at the start) at Eden Park in Auckland (41 - 10) followed by Japan at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton 83 - 7 (The night before the mighty green throng of Ireland turned the tables on Australia, causing an upset), then France in Auckland (37 - 17) with captain Richie McCaw becoming the 1st All Black to reach 100 test caps followed by beating Canada at Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington 79 - 15 (The day after Tonga providing another upset victory over France as well as Dan Carter, who was ruled out of the tournament altogether with a groin injury), then it is quarter final time as we scraped Argentina 33 - 10 in Auckland (Although Colin Slade suffered an injury similar to Dan Carter's), then finally beating against our traditional Trans Tasman rivals Australia (Who defeated South Africa in the quarter final which was better off forgotten) in the semifinal 20 - 6 (It was the night after the French flair titans (Who gave England the chop in the quarterfinal) defeated the Welsh (Who had beaten the mighty green throng in the quarters) in the other semifinal in which Sam Warburton got sent off for that famous spear tackle) before we once again took on France in the final, just as it was back in 1987, with the weight of the nation above our shoulders (Although Stephen 'Beaver' Donald was called up in the last minute whilst he was white baiting, YA GOT THAT!! WHITEBAITING), we have won us the CUP!!! HAIL TO THE KING BABY!!! I'VE GOT BALLS OF STEEL!!! And yeah, not only that we have ended our Rugby World Cup curse after 24 years of agony and pain, as if, not ONLY we beat France 8 - 7, we have managed to lift the World Cup trophy, not only because it is the greatest moment of my life.
P.S. England has just opened up their RWC campaign with a win over Fiji 35 - 11 with fullback Mike Brown claiming man of the match honours as well as the All Blacks had already named their team to play against Argentina in our bid to retain the William Webb Ellis trophy with several players making their World Cup debut in the starting lineup including hooker Dane Coles, lock Brodie Retallick, halfback Aaron Smith, wingers Julian Savea & Nehe Milner-Skudder & fullback Ben Smith. And on the bench is props Wyatt Crockett & Charlie Faumuina, openside flanker Sam Cane, halfback TJ Perenara & 1st five eighth Beauden Barrett.
Monday, 27 July 2015
All Blacks Stories V: Taking On the World (+ Super Rugby final review)
The All Blacks road to the 2015 Rugby World Cup begins with a test against Samoa in Apia and won comprehensively 25 - 16 just days after the Super Rugby final when the Highlanders became the eighth team to win a Super Rugby title, beating my beloved Hurricanes that I was so disappointed, 21 - 14 (Including that game winning drop goal scored by Highlanders first five Marty Banks which proved to be the turning point).
And yes I was at Uncle Bryan's watching the Samoa - All Blacks test there so in all of a sudden, Nan and Pops took me there to watch the game and after the game, we went and had dinner at Breakers Café and Bar where I had a burrito there but 1 week later, I returned but this time I had the monster burger before our quiz started and I did enjoy that experience, then the next morning, Jansen and I went to the splash center before we were going to kebabholik but it was closed so we went to Jabies Doner Kebab instead for lunch and I also did enjoy that experience but the rest is history here and now.
And the next morning, I made 4 meals in all of a sudden such as pumpkin soup, curry, pasta/stir fry combination and a bacon and egg pie.
And then, the rugby was on as the All Blacks comfortably beat Argentina 39 - 18 in the Rugby Championship opener with Waisake Naholo and Codie Taylor (Who scored on debut + other try scorers including captain Richie McCaw, veteran Ma'a Nonu, experienced number 8 Kieran Read and winger Charles Piutau) making their test debuts but unfortunately for Naholo as he picked up a broken leg, ruling him out of the World Cup.
And then a week later (On Thursday I had scotch eggs with salad for a memorable lunch at Nan & Pops), the All Blacks faced the Springboks at Ellis Park (Making their test debuts for the All Blacks are James Broadhurst & Lima Sopoaga (Sopoaga's test debut was quite memorable) in which they won comfortably 27 - 20 (With tries scored by Ben Smith, Dane Coles & Richie McCaw who provided the match winner) but I had to switch off after the 70th minute because I was worried we were going to lose this game but no, we instead won with All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw scoring an all important match winning try (Which I thought that it was an illegal manuever).
So tonight's dinner will be pasta made yesterday by myself.
And yes I was at Uncle Bryan's watching the Samoa - All Blacks test there so in all of a sudden, Nan and Pops took me there to watch the game and after the game, we went and had dinner at Breakers Café and Bar where I had a burrito there but 1 week later, I returned but this time I had the monster burger before our quiz started and I did enjoy that experience, then the next morning, Jansen and I went to the splash center before we were going to kebabholik but it was closed so we went to Jabies Doner Kebab instead for lunch and I also did enjoy that experience but the rest is history here and now.
And the next morning, I made 4 meals in all of a sudden such as pumpkin soup, curry, pasta/stir fry combination and a bacon and egg pie.
And then, the rugby was on as the All Blacks comfortably beat Argentina 39 - 18 in the Rugby Championship opener with Waisake Naholo and Codie Taylor (Who scored on debut + other try scorers including captain Richie McCaw, veteran Ma'a Nonu, experienced number 8 Kieran Read and winger Charles Piutau) making their test debuts but unfortunately for Naholo as he picked up a broken leg, ruling him out of the World Cup.
And then a week later (On Thursday I had scotch eggs with salad for a memorable lunch at Nan & Pops), the All Blacks faced the Springboks at Ellis Park (Making their test debuts for the All Blacks are James Broadhurst & Lima Sopoaga (Sopoaga's test debut was quite memorable) in which they won comfortably 27 - 20 (With tries scored by Ben Smith, Dane Coles & Richie McCaw who provided the match winner) but I had to switch off after the 70th minute because I was worried we were going to lose this game but no, we instead won with All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw scoring an all important match winning try (Which I thought that it was an illegal manuever).
So tonight's dinner will be pasta made yesterday by myself.
Friday, 19 June 2015
Thunderstruck: The Coromandel Trip Review
So, after missing out on bringing home the Cricket World Cup against the Aussies (Who had Australian pace bowler Mitchell Starc (Known as the modern day version of famous Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram & an apparent heir of Brett Lee (Who was Australia's fastest bowler since the good old days of Dennis Lillee & Geoff Thomson) because Starc knows how to bowl that fast) easily bowled New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum out which proved to be the game changer of the final (And I mean what went wrong for New Zealand to lose a final like this? Because of Starc knocking over Baz with the match ended in a one sided affair therefore that goes to say that the Cricket World Cup returns to Australia (After India (They beat Australia in the quarterfinal, traditional rivals Pakistan in the semifinal & Sri Lanka in the final then 4 years later they qualified on top of Group B but they easily beat Bangladesh (Who famously beat England in Adelaide to book a place in the quarterfinal) in the quarterfinal in Melbourne before losing to the eventual champions Australia in the semifinal in Sydney) won it in 2011 (4 years after Australia last won the Cricket World Cup way back in 2007) against Sri Lanka in the final with a match winning six by captain & man of the match MS Dhoni but it was either Steve Smith or Shane Watson who have scored the winning runs to win by 7 wickets while all rounder James Faulkner was awarded man of the match in the final because he had a brilliant game & it was a fitting farewell for the Australian cricket captain in the form of Michael Clarke as he becomes the 4th different Australian captain to lift the Cricket World Cup trophy after Allan Border (In 1987 (When they beat Ashes rivals England in the final at Eden Gardens in Kolkata (Known as Calcutta at the time) in India including Mike Gatting attempting a sweep shot but he was out caught behind by wicket keeper Greg Dyer off the bowling of the Australian skipper known by his playing nickname of AB which proved to be the turning point), Steve Waugh (1999 in which they demolished Pakistan at Lord's in London in England) & Ricky Ponting (2003 (In which they defeated the Indians at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg in South Africa) & 2007 (It was revenge of 1996 in which they put Sri Lanka aside at the Kensington Oval in Barbados which is part of the West Indies) & 1 of 3 players to have won the Cricket World Cup 3 times along with Adam Gilchrist & Glenn McGrath) twice) in Melbourne), Nan, Pops and I headed over to the Coromandel for a holiday but 1st we headed over to Rotorua for the night, by staying at Sport of Kings motel and going to Leonardo's Italian for dinner and I had a Carbonara as well as a Tiramisu.
And after spending the night in Rotorua, it was time for us to head over to the Coromandel (Nan took a photo of Wairere falls), when we headed over to Miner's Cottage, our base until ANZAC day but we had a few exciting things over in the Coromandel, including going on a train at Driving Creek with me taking photos during the course of the trip as well as taking a view from the Eyeful Tower, as well as having great lunches over at Umu (I had a satay chicken pizza over there as well as having either French Toast or Pancakes for breakfast) and the Tavern (Where I had pasta which I labeled it as a 5 star meal), but we did take a look at Kennedy Bay including the beach and Marae as well as going to the Coromandel Museum as well as having a look at beach houses and well, I even took a photo of Pops at the old house as well as having a picnic there at either Oamaru or Waitete Bay.
So ANZAC day was upon us so we decided to leave Coromandel by heading over to Taupo for the duration of ANZAC day so we were in Thames because Nan wanted to take a picture of Mural by John Hovell at the back of the hospital before we had lunch at Matamata so off we go again, decided to stop at Tokoroa were we had to fill up the gas before reaching Taupo so here we are because we had to go to the motel which is Catelli's so we had a swim there at the AC Baths so we were confident we had a ANZAC day dinner at Master of Indian restaurant where I had a Tandoori Chicken there then we headed back to our hotel, by watching a Super Rugby game.
So it was our last day here in Taupo because we went to Huka falls by taking so many photos there then had a walk downtown before saying goodbye to Taupo so we headed our way back home via Desert Road because the rest was history.
P.S. Just turned 24 recently, finally got my birthday present from Trade Me so the rest was also history (Although I did not go to Visions for a Scottish meal because I had food poisoning although I only went for a Chinese meal before Nan and Pops went to a funeral).
And after spending the night in Rotorua, it was time for us to head over to the Coromandel (Nan took a photo of Wairere falls), when we headed over to Miner's Cottage, our base until ANZAC day but we had a few exciting things over in the Coromandel, including going on a train at Driving Creek with me taking photos during the course of the trip as well as taking a view from the Eyeful Tower, as well as having great lunches over at Umu (I had a satay chicken pizza over there as well as having either French Toast or Pancakes for breakfast) and the Tavern (Where I had pasta which I labeled it as a 5 star meal), but we did take a look at Kennedy Bay including the beach and Marae as well as going to the Coromandel Museum as well as having a look at beach houses and well, I even took a photo of Pops at the old house as well as having a picnic there at either Oamaru or Waitete Bay.
So ANZAC day was upon us so we decided to leave Coromandel by heading over to Taupo for the duration of ANZAC day so we were in Thames because Nan wanted to take a picture of Mural by John Hovell at the back of the hospital before we had lunch at Matamata so off we go again, decided to stop at Tokoroa were we had to fill up the gas before reaching Taupo so here we are because we had to go to the motel which is Catelli's so we had a swim there at the AC Baths so we were confident we had a ANZAC day dinner at Master of Indian restaurant where I had a Tandoori Chicken there then we headed back to our hotel, by watching a Super Rugby game.
So it was our last day here in Taupo because we went to Huka falls by taking so many photos there then had a walk downtown before saying goodbye to Taupo so we headed our way back home via Desert Road because the rest was history.
P.S. Just turned 24 recently, finally got my birthday present from Trade Me so the rest was also history (Although I did not go to Visions for a Scottish meal because I had food poisoning although I only went for a Chinese meal before Nan and Pops went to a funeral).
Wednesday, 25 March 2015
Cricket World Cup 2015 Shorts (My 1st blog of MMXV)
It is the ICC Cricket World Cup of 2015 and it is the Black Caps of New Zealand are through to our 1st ever final with a superb batting performance from South African born Grant Elliott, unbeaten on 84 to defeat his country of birth South Africa in the semi-final when he hit the match winning six just like Kane Williamson did against Australia with only 2 balls to spare and win by 4 wickets under the Duckworth/Lewis method but the Black Caps rocky road to the final began when they beat Sri Lanka in the opener and Scotland then victories over high profile teams such as England (With Tim Southee picking up 7 wickets during the match & where Brendon McCullum got his batting mojo going) and Australia (When Kane Williamson hit a six out of the ground to win it) have proved them too much, then it was Afghanistan and Bangladesh where Martin Guptill got a ton and then it is the quarters against the West Indies when Guptill backed it up when he became New Zealand's highest run scorer of 237 not out and then things get too good when veteran Daniel Vettori took a superb one handed catch to settle the score to earn a place in the semi-final with a 143 run victory, but who will take on the Black Caps in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Final, Australia or India: all will be revealed.
Wednesday, 3 December 2014
The Biggest & Longest Blog Ever! Stuff that I have missed during the September - December Period
Well, talk about the pet hate, Nana O & Poppa K are back in action here in New Zealand after a grueling 7 week holiday in Argentina & Uruguay, but 1st off: the absolute amateur stuff that I've enitrely missed during the September to Movember (Now december) period.
Yep 1st off, the almighty All Blacks of New Zealand clinch another Rugby Championship title with a resounding 34 - 13 victory over Argentina in La Plata (The place were O & K have been) but unfortunately for the AB's as lock Brodie Retallick (Who was officially crowned World Rugby's (Formerly IRB) Player of the Year honours) is expected to miss the final round against South Africa due to concussion but NZ were in danger as Duane Vermeulen (Who is SA's danger man) was injured in his side's win over the Wallabies in Cape Town, but however, Vermeulen was declared fit so the All Blacks travelled to South Africa but eventually were on the losing side as our 22 match unbeaten run, has been conquered by the South Africans after Liam Messam copped a high tackle awarding SA the penalty (I mean that was shocking, literally meaning that we blown our chances to win that) before Patrick 'Pat' Lambie nailed the penalty shot replicated by Bernard Foley in the Super Rugby final and then, heartbreak for the AB's as they concede the penalty for not releasing the ball meaning that SA have replicated England's 2012 heroics over New Zealand at Twickenham (AKA Twickers).
And then, onto the 3rd & final Bledisloe Cup test in Brisbane where the All Blacks, (Who are avenging their Ellis Park demons), face the Aussies who are all sorts of trouble as Kurtley Beale missed a flight then sent an offensive txt message to the team's business manager Di Patston before being disciplined and then, losing the game to Argentina who finally managed to pull off their 1st win (Compared to the AB's 1st defeat) in the Rugby Championship after 2 years of get rich & die trying since they have joined but Australia's coach Ewen McKenzie's job is on the line, meaning that they must ensure a victory if he wanted to keep it but hell no, you are fired (That is, due to the job security, so Mckenzie is an absolute goner) as the All Blacks run in with a close finish by a Malakai Fekitoa try and then the match winning conversion by Colin Slade (Although Slade was dropped by the selectors meaning that this was his last act in that famous Black jersey, although due to the injury by Cory Jane, Colin Slade returns on behalf of his 2nd chance).
And after the Brisbane test, the All Blacks have named a squad to tour the USA (United States of America) & United Kingdom featuring the unexpected returnee of Sonny...Bill...WILLIAMS!!!
Yes, that is right, SBW's back in town with the AB's after 2 comeback seasons in the NRL (He won a premiership with both the Bulldogs in 2004 & the Roosters last year) & also Daniel...CARTER!!! After a long injury layoff (His last game in the famous Black jersey was last year in his 100th test at Twickenham where we gained revenge over the English), but 1st off, the historic 1st test @ Soldier Field (Which is an American Football/Gridiron venue) in Chicago, Illinois (Home of the Bears (National Football League/NFL), Blackhawks (National Hockey League/NHL), Bulls (National Basketball Association/NBA), Cubs & White Sox (Both from Major League Baseball/the MLB) against the last Olympic Rugby champions, the USA Eagles.
But in the end, the AB's proved way too strong against the United States as they took a resounding victory 74 - 6 with tries by hooker, Nathan Harris (Who unfortunately got injured, with James Parsons slotted in as replacement hooker), right winger Cory Jane (Also got injured as well), lock Patrick Tuipulotu, as well as the returning Sonny Bill (Who got it twice, not once), left winger Charles Piutau, reserve wing Julian Savea (He did get 2, just like Williams did), prop Joe Moody, then the returning first five-eighth Aaron Cruden (Who had been in trouble after getting drunk & missing the flight to Buenos Aires before the Argentina - All Blacks encounter in La Plata), fullback Izzy Dagg & openside Sam Cane with conversions by Cruden who got 4 out of 9 & also, the returning world's test points scoring fly-half of Dan Carter who bagged 3 out of 3.
And, after the victory in Chicago as the AB's head over to London as they take on the hosts of next year's Rugby World Cup, England at Twickenham (Which will host the final in 2015) by launching a brand new outfit dubbed as the blackest ever (With the trademark white collar gone as well as white being replaced by gun metal silver for the jersey numbers & logos as well as the shirt, it has been specially designed by both the forwards & the backs rather than design, fabric or colour (Improvements made to the forwards jersey such as better rucking, mauling & scrummaging as well as for the backs, they are designed to make it more difficult to grab hold of), but will this blackest jersey be better than the old one?) but what a start by the home team as Jonny May had just scored a sensational try! In the 3rd minute. Then 10 minutes later, Cruden had just scored as well but not able to add the extras before the All Blacks got penalised twice as Owen Farrell nailed 2 penalty goals in succession, then New Zealand gained the upper hand as Cruden also nailed 2 penalty goals just like Farrell then NZ conceded the penalty before halftime as Farrell able to land the penalty shot at goal.
As the second half got underway in the 45th minute, the All Black captain of Richie McCaw has scored a brilliant try as he goes over while England's debutant of Semesa Rokoduguni (Born in Fiji serving for the British Army) attempted to defend a three on one overlap, but however Dane Coles gets sent to the bin for 10 after lashing out a boot to Kiwi born English hooker Dylan Hartley but still England were unable to escape the fate of their own half but it was the only matter of time when England's line was cracked once more before reserve Prop Charlie Faumuina who knocked over after waves of attacks, scoring his 1st try in a test match...oh, hang on, what da hell is dis as Welsh referee Nigel Owens make a TMO decision after awarding the try? (Wait, this certainly isn't Rugby's version of Cricket's Umpire Decision Review System as the batsman does require a review after originally being given out caught behind or lbw (Leg before wicket) Oh, you have gotta be kidding me, well that was...a comedy of errors not only because the Sky Sport rugby commentators label Owens as a stand up comedian, oh my god! But in the end, the TMO thinks that he tells the ref that he already has awarded it but that's the rule, you can't change decisions after the try has scored, and then all of a sudden, with England having the last laugh as the penalty try was given after New Zealand pulled down a maul, but the All Blacks held on comfortably to a 3 point victory over the Red Roses.
And yes, the highly anticipated return of Nan & Pops from Argentina/Uruguay was upon us for me last week as I went with him to Pak'n'save (Their motto: Our policy, NZ's lowest food prices) for the food supply after that grueling 7 week trip before having our own lunch since their return B4 we played our 1st test match of the brand new Aramoho Series Cricket season of 2014/15 with a record of 20 games following the success of the inaugural/1st ever 2014 season which consisted only 8 games, and guess what, I was the winner of the 1st test match of 20 by 36 runs as I managed only 6 in the 1st innings and 63 in the 2nd innings as I was dismissed in both innings when Poppa K managed to trap me out lbw twice then I had him out run out 1st innings & finally in the 2nd innings, I was overwhelmingly dominant by bowling him out, effectively ending the match with me leading 1 - 0 in the series.
And then on Saturday night, the Kiwis rugby league side have done it by winning the 4 nations at home in the nation's capital of the windy city of Wellington (or Welly/Wellywood), New Zealand. As they held on to beat the Kangaroos 22 - 18, a few weeks after thrashing the Aussies in the opener at Brisbane (And for 61 years that New Zealand have last tasted victory twice & for 11 years since they have last won in NZ against Australia) + some wonderful tries by star men Shaun Johnson (Hailed as the new Benji Marshall who recieved his player of the game honours twice in both the opener & final) & Manu Vatuvei (He is da beast who got it twice because he is now New Zealand's all time try-scorer with 20) as well as Jason Nightingale (Born in Australia but he is the tournament's top try scorer with 5), but moving on as we switch gears on both sides of the rugby code from the Cake Tin to Murrayfield in Edinburgh where the All Blacks take on the last flower of Scotland (The country who had desired/embroiled to become independent but however have elected to remain part of the United Kingdom) coached by New Zealander ''Big'' Vern Cotter as well as containing 2 NZ players playing against their country of birth such as Blair Cowan & Quade Cooper's cousin Sean Maitland AKA Mitchell Johnson, the Aussie cricketer because of his lookalike compared to Poppa's Sean Connery sans the skin colour & Dad's Daniel Vettori.
But the match started as Victor Vito gave his team the early lead before TROUBLE!!! THEY WON'T CATCH HIM!!! As Tommy Seymour crosses over for the try which gave the delighted hosts an immediate response but kickers Dan Carter and Grieg Laidlaw kept the score close with three penalties apiece but a successful effort from the boot of Colin Slade nudged New Zealand in front but the AB's were way too strong in the end as they defeated the Scots 24 - 16 after a Jeremy Thrush try & Colin Slade conversion in the 73rd & 74th minute.
And now...onto the All Blacks last test match of the year 2014, against WALES! (Led by Sam Warburton) That's right, the Valley Boys over at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. And how about Richard Hugh ''Richie'' McCaw, celebrating 100 tests as skipper after a decade on when he 1st became captain of the AB's. As the match got well underway as Wales kick the ball off and soon have a ball thanks to a terrific grab from Jamie Roberts.
6 MINUTES LATER
Well there's more ground made in the All Blacks' 22 and New Zealand are penalised for hands in the ruck. It's in front of the posts, and there is no way that the Valley Boys aren't taking the points from there. (Wales lead 3 - 0)
26 MINUTES LATER
Wales collapse the scrum yet again, again it is Paul James. He is failing to adapt, the Welsh prop, against that AB's pack. Penalty at halfway, and Beauden Barrett will try again. Hefty boot from Beaudy and it clears the bar by a couple of feet. We're all tied at 3-3.
18 MINUTES LATER
New dad/father SBW knocks it on, Wales have thrown the ball around to see if they can get anything, but it all comes to nothing. Half-time, Wales 3-3 New Zealand. Fierce, absolute fierce stuff in the 1st half, but the teams are back out on the field - the All Blacks will kick off.
And we are underway again because there is a slight tension settling on the Cardiff crowd not only they are realising their team really does have a better chance here.
2 MINUTES LATER
And then just like dat - it is a try! Julian Savea gets the ball out wide after Wales turn the ball over in their own 22, and it's Savea versus Dan Biggar. Only one winner, Savea slipping out of the tackle and in at the corner. New Zealand really know how to start a perfect 2nd half but Barrett lands the conversion from out wide & a huge burst of air has just been let out of the Millennium Stadium.
ANOTHER 2 MINUTES LATER
And then all of a sudden...try 2 Wales! Excellent response after falling behind. Perfectly offloaded by Taulupe Faletau (Formerly Toby) and Rhys Webb is in beside the bar! But Leigh Halfpenny able to add the extras - it is level once more.
5 MINUTES LATER
Another penalty to da Welsh, this time in NZ half, for Sam Whitelock who didn't rolling away. Halfpenny to kick at goal for what would put Wales in the lead. Through it goes. The Millennium Stadium is on its feet.
12 MINUTES LATER
The New Zealand captain of Richie McCaw is closing in on the try-line! Could he score on this landmark occasion? I don't think so, not quite. He is held up but the ball is switched across flanks by a superb cross-field kick and then it is reached inside and Jerome Kaino is over for the All Black's 2nd try of the game, as Barrett's conversion goes the same way as a previous penalty - wide right. George North is going off injured, blood streaming from his head, possibly sustained in that McCaw burst before the try & Penalty against...of all people, it's McCaw, what for? Side entry to the ruck but Leigh Halfpenny will have a chance to restore the Welsh lead & It is up, it is all good - Wales lead & then in all of a sudden, just like that - try to NEW ZEALAND! And that is one very fortunate bounce in the favour of Beaudy Barrett. It is just a reward for his own inventiveness, but Halfpenny is gonna see dat bounce every damn time he attempts to close his eyes and G.T.S. tonight. Agonising, very very Agonising indeed and it is Colin Slade who converts this time.
NEK MINNIT
It is becoming very, very open indeed as Wales seek to get back into dis, because dey need a try & conversion required to take da lead again, but dey are leaving demselves open in defence as a result, but it is another try for the AB's, who have - in just 3 minutes - shown why it is so, so hardcore to defeat them. Kieran Read is the beneficiary of a charge down, but to make your own luck as a virtual silence in the Millennium Stadium, which was threatening to combust just 5 minutes ago before Colin Slade slots a beauty of a kick from the touchline to add the extras. That is pure insult to injury, right there.
2 MINUTES LATER
"This ends now, or he's dismissed the field of play," says Wayne Barnes to Sam Warburton. It seems that Alun-Wyn Jones is the culprit. Frustrations beginning to show and NEK MINNIT, Leigh Halfpenny knocks the ball on or should I say, loses the ball forward...FORWARD (Well that's the issue) in his own 22, trying to break from deep. The game is an absolute goner for Wales, now but it has all Torn Sky Blast apart for the Welsh. Another X-Field kick, a terrific knockdown and Barrett is over for his 2nd of the game. It has becoming emphatic, but it does not flatter the All Blacks without a paddle, given how strongly they have played in this last 1/4 but unfortunate for Slade as he misses the conversion, yet again from the touchline, by a whisker but a knock on by the AB's as they throw it around for fun on halfway & another knock on ends the match but it took a patient, determined, relentless performance from New Zealand - but no side is equipped to produce just that quite like they are. 13 minutes of utter sheer brilliance was the ultimate difference, and Sam Warburton's knowing smile on his face as he shakes hands with his opposite number says it all. Wales were not too well beaten, but they were defeated as well.
And finally in this report, the world of Cricket was in mourning last week as Philip Hughes tragically killed during a Cricket match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) after being struck in the head by a lethal bouncer from pace bowler Sean Abbott...how sad, RIP Phil (1988 - 2014)...but the Black Caps have also paid tribute to the fallen cricketer as they took victory against Pakistan in Sharjah during the 3rd test meaning that the test series had been drawn after losing the 1st test & drawing in the 2nd test, but the 1st test between Australia & India will take place at the Adelaide Oval due to rescheduling as the Brisbane test was postponed due to Hughesy's death (And I also paid tribute to Phil Hughes as I overcame the demons from last week's loss during the 4th Aramoho Series Cricket test which I labelled as game of the year (And I mean, after today's greatest lunch hits we had at the new Cafe Anatolia facility which was open alongside the new BP near the Splash Centre), by scoring (U guessed it) back 2 back centuries on both innings as my batting powers were fully restored (Last week it was woeful but this week it looks like I had a doner kebab for lunch which got my batting mojo back so I used a different bat, codenamed Memphis instead, rather than the Robin, which is a yellow bat that I am no longer using when I got 107 not out during the 2nd test match in the 2nd innings which I won) as I scored 136 (I was out LBW, which is my highest score of this series) & 104 not out & hell yes, that is a beauty (Although my back shoulder is a bit sore because of da batting (So perhaps I am sporting battle scars in all of a sudden), but today's test match of da year was even perhaps, da one 2 remember 4 me, so sit back & enjoy because I am going 2 remember dis, 4 a long, long time (Perhaps, the best cricket match of the decade (2010s) or the century!).
Well it has been a absolutely fabulous blog that has gone in development hell, but remember folks, it is only 3 weeks left till the real thing, which is...JUST LIKE CHRISTMAS.
P.S. Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there. With open arms and open eyes yeah. Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there.
Yep 1st off, the almighty All Blacks of New Zealand clinch another Rugby Championship title with a resounding 34 - 13 victory over Argentina in La Plata (The place were O & K have been) but unfortunately for the AB's as lock Brodie Retallick (Who was officially crowned World Rugby's (Formerly IRB) Player of the Year honours) is expected to miss the final round against South Africa due to concussion but NZ were in danger as Duane Vermeulen (Who is SA's danger man) was injured in his side's win over the Wallabies in Cape Town, but however, Vermeulen was declared fit so the All Blacks travelled to South Africa but eventually were on the losing side as our 22 match unbeaten run, has been conquered by the South Africans after Liam Messam copped a high tackle awarding SA the penalty (I mean that was shocking, literally meaning that we blown our chances to win that) before Patrick 'Pat' Lambie nailed the penalty shot replicated by Bernard Foley in the Super Rugby final and then, heartbreak for the AB's as they concede the penalty for not releasing the ball meaning that SA have replicated England's 2012 heroics over New Zealand at Twickenham (AKA Twickers).
And then, onto the 3rd & final Bledisloe Cup test in Brisbane where the All Blacks, (Who are avenging their Ellis Park demons), face the Aussies who are all sorts of trouble as Kurtley Beale missed a flight then sent an offensive txt message to the team's business manager Di Patston before being disciplined and then, losing the game to Argentina who finally managed to pull off their 1st win (Compared to the AB's 1st defeat) in the Rugby Championship after 2 years of get rich & die trying since they have joined but Australia's coach Ewen McKenzie's job is on the line, meaning that they must ensure a victory if he wanted to keep it but hell no, you are fired (That is, due to the job security, so Mckenzie is an absolute goner) as the All Blacks run in with a close finish by a Malakai Fekitoa try and then the match winning conversion by Colin Slade (Although Slade was dropped by the selectors meaning that this was his last act in that famous Black jersey, although due to the injury by Cory Jane, Colin Slade returns on behalf of his 2nd chance).
And after the Brisbane test, the All Blacks have named a squad to tour the USA (United States of America) & United Kingdom featuring the unexpected returnee of Sonny...Bill...WILLIAMS!!!
Yes, that is right, SBW's back in town with the AB's after 2 comeback seasons in the NRL (He won a premiership with both the Bulldogs in 2004 & the Roosters last year) & also Daniel...CARTER!!! After a long injury layoff (His last game in the famous Black jersey was last year in his 100th test at Twickenham where we gained revenge over the English), but 1st off, the historic 1st test @ Soldier Field (Which is an American Football/Gridiron venue) in Chicago, Illinois (Home of the Bears (National Football League/NFL), Blackhawks (National Hockey League/NHL), Bulls (National Basketball Association/NBA), Cubs & White Sox (Both from Major League Baseball/the MLB) against the last Olympic Rugby champions, the USA Eagles.
But in the end, the AB's proved way too strong against the United States as they took a resounding victory 74 - 6 with tries by hooker, Nathan Harris (Who unfortunately got injured, with James Parsons slotted in as replacement hooker), right winger Cory Jane (Also got injured as well), lock Patrick Tuipulotu, as well as the returning Sonny Bill (Who got it twice, not once), left winger Charles Piutau, reserve wing Julian Savea (He did get 2, just like Williams did), prop Joe Moody, then the returning first five-eighth Aaron Cruden (Who had been in trouble after getting drunk & missing the flight to Buenos Aires before the Argentina - All Blacks encounter in La Plata), fullback Izzy Dagg & openside Sam Cane with conversions by Cruden who got 4 out of 9 & also, the returning world's test points scoring fly-half of Dan Carter who bagged 3 out of 3.
And, after the victory in Chicago as the AB's head over to London as they take on the hosts of next year's Rugby World Cup, England at Twickenham (Which will host the final in 2015) by launching a brand new outfit dubbed as the blackest ever (With the trademark white collar gone as well as white being replaced by gun metal silver for the jersey numbers & logos as well as the shirt, it has been specially designed by both the forwards & the backs rather than design, fabric or colour (Improvements made to the forwards jersey such as better rucking, mauling & scrummaging as well as for the backs, they are designed to make it more difficult to grab hold of), but will this blackest jersey be better than the old one?) but what a start by the home team as Jonny May had just scored a sensational try! In the 3rd minute. Then 10 minutes later, Cruden had just scored as well but not able to add the extras before the All Blacks got penalised twice as Owen Farrell nailed 2 penalty goals in succession, then New Zealand gained the upper hand as Cruden also nailed 2 penalty goals just like Farrell then NZ conceded the penalty before halftime as Farrell able to land the penalty shot at goal.
As the second half got underway in the 45th minute, the All Black captain of Richie McCaw has scored a brilliant try as he goes over while England's debutant of Semesa Rokoduguni (Born in Fiji serving for the British Army) attempted to defend a three on one overlap, but however Dane Coles gets sent to the bin for 10 after lashing out a boot to Kiwi born English hooker Dylan Hartley but still England were unable to escape the fate of their own half but it was the only matter of time when England's line was cracked once more before reserve Prop Charlie Faumuina who knocked over after waves of attacks, scoring his 1st try in a test match...oh, hang on, what da hell is dis as Welsh referee Nigel Owens make a TMO decision after awarding the try? (Wait, this certainly isn't Rugby's version of Cricket's Umpire Decision Review System as the batsman does require a review after originally being given out caught behind or lbw (Leg before wicket) Oh, you have gotta be kidding me, well that was...a comedy of errors not only because the Sky Sport rugby commentators label Owens as a stand up comedian, oh my god! But in the end, the TMO thinks that he tells the ref that he already has awarded it but that's the rule, you can't change decisions after the try has scored, and then all of a sudden, with England having the last laugh as the penalty try was given after New Zealand pulled down a maul, but the All Blacks held on comfortably to a 3 point victory over the Red Roses.
And yes, the highly anticipated return of Nan & Pops from Argentina/Uruguay was upon us for me last week as I went with him to Pak'n'save (Their motto: Our policy, NZ's lowest food prices) for the food supply after that grueling 7 week trip before having our own lunch since their return B4 we played our 1st test match of the brand new Aramoho Series Cricket season of 2014/15 with a record of 20 games following the success of the inaugural/1st ever 2014 season which consisted only 8 games, and guess what, I was the winner of the 1st test match of 20 by 36 runs as I managed only 6 in the 1st innings and 63 in the 2nd innings as I was dismissed in both innings when Poppa K managed to trap me out lbw twice then I had him out run out 1st innings & finally in the 2nd innings, I was overwhelmingly dominant by bowling him out, effectively ending the match with me leading 1 - 0 in the series.
And then on Saturday night, the Kiwis rugby league side have done it by winning the 4 nations at home in the nation's capital of the windy city of Wellington (or Welly/Wellywood), New Zealand. As they held on to beat the Kangaroos 22 - 18, a few weeks after thrashing the Aussies in the opener at Brisbane (And for 61 years that New Zealand have last tasted victory twice & for 11 years since they have last won in NZ against Australia) + some wonderful tries by star men Shaun Johnson (Hailed as the new Benji Marshall who recieved his player of the game honours twice in both the opener & final) & Manu Vatuvei (He is da beast who got it twice because he is now New Zealand's all time try-scorer with 20) as well as Jason Nightingale (Born in Australia but he is the tournament's top try scorer with 5), but moving on as we switch gears on both sides of the rugby code from the Cake Tin to Murrayfield in Edinburgh where the All Blacks take on the last flower of Scotland (The country who had desired/embroiled to become independent but however have elected to remain part of the United Kingdom) coached by New Zealander ''Big'' Vern Cotter as well as containing 2 NZ players playing against their country of birth such as Blair Cowan & Quade Cooper's cousin Sean Maitland AKA Mitchell Johnson, the Aussie cricketer because of his lookalike compared to Poppa's Sean Connery sans the skin colour & Dad's Daniel Vettori.
But the match started as Victor Vito gave his team the early lead before TROUBLE!!! THEY WON'T CATCH HIM!!! As Tommy Seymour crosses over for the try which gave the delighted hosts an immediate response but kickers Dan Carter and Grieg Laidlaw kept the score close with three penalties apiece but a successful effort from the boot of Colin Slade nudged New Zealand in front but the AB's were way too strong in the end as they defeated the Scots 24 - 16 after a Jeremy Thrush try & Colin Slade conversion in the 73rd & 74th minute.
And now...onto the All Blacks last test match of the year 2014, against WALES! (Led by Sam Warburton) That's right, the Valley Boys over at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. And how about Richard Hugh ''Richie'' McCaw, celebrating 100 tests as skipper after a decade on when he 1st became captain of the AB's. As the match got well underway as Wales kick the ball off and soon have a ball thanks to a terrific grab from Jamie Roberts.
6 MINUTES LATER
Well there's more ground made in the All Blacks' 22 and New Zealand are penalised for hands in the ruck. It's in front of the posts, and there is no way that the Valley Boys aren't taking the points from there. (Wales lead 3 - 0)
26 MINUTES LATER
Wales collapse the scrum yet again, again it is Paul James. He is failing to adapt, the Welsh prop, against that AB's pack. Penalty at halfway, and Beauden Barrett will try again. Hefty boot from Beaudy and it clears the bar by a couple of feet. We're all tied at 3-3.
18 MINUTES LATER
New dad/father SBW knocks it on, Wales have thrown the ball around to see if they can get anything, but it all comes to nothing. Half-time, Wales 3-3 New Zealand. Fierce, absolute fierce stuff in the 1st half, but the teams are back out on the field - the All Blacks will kick off.
And we are underway again because there is a slight tension settling on the Cardiff crowd not only they are realising their team really does have a better chance here.
2 MINUTES LATER
And then just like dat - it is a try! Julian Savea gets the ball out wide after Wales turn the ball over in their own 22, and it's Savea versus Dan Biggar. Only one winner, Savea slipping out of the tackle and in at the corner. New Zealand really know how to start a perfect 2nd half but Barrett lands the conversion from out wide & a huge burst of air has just been let out of the Millennium Stadium.
ANOTHER 2 MINUTES LATER
And then all of a sudden...try 2 Wales! Excellent response after falling behind. Perfectly offloaded by Taulupe Faletau (Formerly Toby) and Rhys Webb is in beside the bar! But Leigh Halfpenny able to add the extras - it is level once more.
5 MINUTES LATER
Another penalty to da Welsh, this time in NZ half, for Sam Whitelock who didn't rolling away. Halfpenny to kick at goal for what would put Wales in the lead. Through it goes. The Millennium Stadium is on its feet.
12 MINUTES LATER
The New Zealand captain of Richie McCaw is closing in on the try-line! Could he score on this landmark occasion? I don't think so, not quite. He is held up but the ball is switched across flanks by a superb cross-field kick and then it is reached inside and Jerome Kaino is over for the All Black's 2nd try of the game, as Barrett's conversion goes the same way as a previous penalty - wide right. George North is going off injured, blood streaming from his head, possibly sustained in that McCaw burst before the try & Penalty against...of all people, it's McCaw, what for? Side entry to the ruck but Leigh Halfpenny will have a chance to restore the Welsh lead & It is up, it is all good - Wales lead & then in all of a sudden, just like that - try to NEW ZEALAND! And that is one very fortunate bounce in the favour of Beaudy Barrett. It is just a reward for his own inventiveness, but Halfpenny is gonna see dat bounce every damn time he attempts to close his eyes and G.T.S. tonight. Agonising, very very Agonising indeed and it is Colin Slade who converts this time.
NEK MINNIT
It is becoming very, very open indeed as Wales seek to get back into dis, because dey need a try & conversion required to take da lead again, but dey are leaving demselves open in defence as a result, but it is another try for the AB's, who have - in just 3 minutes - shown why it is so, so hardcore to defeat them. Kieran Read is the beneficiary of a charge down, but to make your own luck as a virtual silence in the Millennium Stadium, which was threatening to combust just 5 minutes ago before Colin Slade slots a beauty of a kick from the touchline to add the extras. That is pure insult to injury, right there.
2 MINUTES LATER
"This ends now, or he's dismissed the field of play," says Wayne Barnes to Sam Warburton. It seems that Alun-Wyn Jones is the culprit. Frustrations beginning to show and NEK MINNIT, Leigh Halfpenny knocks the ball on or should I say, loses the ball forward...FORWARD (Well that's the issue) in his own 22, trying to break from deep. The game is an absolute goner for Wales, now but it has all Torn Sky Blast apart for the Welsh. Another X-Field kick, a terrific knockdown and Barrett is over for his 2nd of the game. It has becoming emphatic, but it does not flatter the All Blacks without a paddle, given how strongly they have played in this last 1/4 but unfortunate for Slade as he misses the conversion, yet again from the touchline, by a whisker but a knock on by the AB's as they throw it around for fun on halfway & another knock on ends the match but it took a patient, determined, relentless performance from New Zealand - but no side is equipped to produce just that quite like they are. 13 minutes of utter sheer brilliance was the ultimate difference, and Sam Warburton's knowing smile on his face as he shakes hands with his opposite number says it all. Wales were not too well beaten, but they were defeated as well.
And finally in this report, the world of Cricket was in mourning last week as Philip Hughes tragically killed during a Cricket match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) after being struck in the head by a lethal bouncer from pace bowler Sean Abbott...how sad, RIP Phil (1988 - 2014)...but the Black Caps have also paid tribute to the fallen cricketer as they took victory against Pakistan in Sharjah during the 3rd test meaning that the test series had been drawn after losing the 1st test & drawing in the 2nd test, but the 1st test between Australia & India will take place at the Adelaide Oval due to rescheduling as the Brisbane test was postponed due to Hughesy's death (And I also paid tribute to Phil Hughes as I overcame the demons from last week's loss during the 4th Aramoho Series Cricket test which I labelled as game of the year (And I mean, after today's greatest lunch hits we had at the new Cafe Anatolia facility which was open alongside the new BP near the Splash Centre), by scoring (U guessed it) back 2 back centuries on both innings as my batting powers were fully restored (Last week it was woeful but this week it looks like I had a doner kebab for lunch which got my batting mojo back so I used a different bat, codenamed Memphis instead, rather than the Robin, which is a yellow bat that I am no longer using when I got 107 not out during the 2nd test match in the 2nd innings which I won) as I scored 136 (I was out LBW, which is my highest score of this series) & 104 not out & hell yes, that is a beauty (Although my back shoulder is a bit sore because of da batting (So perhaps I am sporting battle scars in all of a sudden), but today's test match of da year was even perhaps, da one 2 remember 4 me, so sit back & enjoy because I am going 2 remember dis, 4 a long, long time (Perhaps, the best cricket match of the decade (2010s) or the century!).
Well it has been a absolutely fabulous blog that has gone in development hell, but remember folks, it is only 3 weeks left till the real thing, which is...JUST LIKE CHRISTMAS.
P.S. Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there. With open arms and open eyes yeah. Whatever tomorrow brings, I'll be there.
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