The All Blacks Push ColdPlay in Test Two

680 days between tests means a long time between dates, but didn’t the Garden City put a night on for all involved in the action; fans included?! All we needed was a good Cantabrian fog to add to this mix, bringing back the good ole days when you watched rugby, barefoot, and in the snow.

Apologies to any visiting Wellington-franchised fans for that “foggy” flashback, but the conditions were so chilled out they nearly sent Israel Dagg to sleep. I believe he would come to his senses, mid-air.

Love your work, Izzy!

Yellow! From the refereeing version of the chief Wiggle, as well. Just fortunate another Kiwi loving yellow wasn’t in the house, as it would have been the Dougie for the Digby – loves a song in a skivvy.

On such a cold night, a reminder of our favourite sun brought back some happy times and some colour, so we should all be thanking the one tribe of Israel for his moment of service, and for thinking of us all. Everybody needs time. Fortunate his would motivate the boys onto greater things, which would return his effort versus this other yellow, in a certain semi. Oh, now we Dougie!

Speaking of others.

The All Blacks in preparation were determined to make this test, one to remember, and O what a relief a dropkick can make, even in another continent. There is a brief allusion in that line to a number of different contexts. Please do not get confused.

One could describe this moment as a testament to the intellectual and conceptual development in this All Blacks unit that has long ago jettisoned the idealistically elite perspective of running rugby at all expense. Yes, we know about the “all”. There again.

Let’s play Owen Franks.

It was an All Blacks performance that was the antithesis of a week between sporting contests. It was also a statement of the mental investment, prerequisite at this level. Ireland had endured the All Blacks 80 at Eden in the press throughout the week, and with a couple of personnel changes, the contest had become very personal. And, it was on! It was clear in their collision that there is a far worse fate than death for the Emerald Isle. 107 years is a long time to pursue a dream, stuck dying, on repeat.

There seemed hope.

In the second half, there were those little signs you look for in a contest; stepping stones on the yellow brick road to success. Momentum is one of the key aspects in a sporting contest, and as this final 40 started to tick bye, the Irish eyes started smiling. The All Blacks were making mistakes, these were costing the side points, and this was getting too close for comfort.

However, just as our past is not our present, we would push, repeat, on their’s.

If you know All Blacks history, you know how a match can be changed in a moment, especially when playing a team in the colour of today - yellow. In the final high five with only 14 men on the field, we went to the clinic; held onto the passes that were slipping, even away from our captain; played the game in the right area of the park; put pressure on the opposition, and made the most of the vicissitudes of an oval shaped ball.

Come in, Capital - DC.

He has long been, Mummy, when it has become scary, and he would prove so again, with our man of the match performance. It may have been a wet brick in flight, but it was over. Dropkick. We were in front. The clock was about to strike, 80. After McCawesome would take the restart, test two and the series was ours.

Irish eyes were crying.

The reaction from Steve Hansen said it all. Dissatisfied relief. He was happily unhappy. I expect the forwards will feel the consequences in and through this week in Hamilton.

Given the Irish historic record against the All Blacks, and with 12 years before they return, don’t for a moment think this series is over. For Irish rugby, the third test can really be a new beginning. When you are dealing with over a hundred years of pain, one win, will erase any thoughts of a lost series pain.

It is also one more test before we take another break before the Investec Rugby Championship, where we will see plenty of that colour again.

Best we leave it till then, aye Israel?!

BackingBlack with you. Non-stop. No matter what the colour of the result.

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What Say You?

Until Next Time

iamjonnyking