Back in Black!

*huge, enormous, gargantuan sigh of relief*

The All Blacks are back!

Last night 22 men pulled on the All Black jumper again, for the first time in about 7 1/2 months - and at 7.35pm, the whistle blew and the 2012 All Blacks season was officially underway.  Again - huge, enromous, gargantuan sigh of relief.

After the intense 4 year long  build up to the RWC2011 - and the resulting 7 (or was it 8?) All Blacks games, one got VERY used to see the 'men in black' playing - and one day, suddenly, it was all over.  Poof.  Gone.  Just like that.  Admittedly it was poof-gone-just like that, with the addition of the William Webb Ellis cup, and the title of 'rugby world champions', to wear for the next 3 or 4 years.  Still.  The rugby was over.

There were 4 months between the end of the RWC2011 and the start of the SuperXV - and as awesome as SuperXV rugby is (go the mighty Highl.. CRUSADERS!), it's not the same as watching the All Blacks play - the creme de la creme of New Zealand rugby talent, all playing on the one team, at the same time... a veritable feast of immense talent - and one would be lying to pretend that in some cases, there wasn't also immense hotness.

The game reiterated for me, exactly WHY I love rugby - and particularly the All Blacks....

Man-love moments!  The fellas congratulating
Julian Savea after one of his 3 tries last night

Captain Fan-fucking-tastic!  Really, do I need to say more?

SONNY BILL WILLIAMS GETTING SMASHED!
.. this is the only capacity in which you'll see SBW
mentioned, or pictured, on this blog.

The Haka!  This time they went old school & did Ka Mate...

Izzy's face while running with the ball

Dan Carter!  The man is most definitely
back to his goal kicking best!

PYROTECHNICS?  Not usually seen at rugby games, but hey..
who doesn't like a nice little fireworks display??!

Last, but by no means least
Zachary Robert Guildford