The '2007
Tri Nations Series' was an annual
rugby union competition between the national teams of
Australia,
New Zealand and
South Africa. The series began in South Africa on
June 16, with a
Test between South Africa and Australia at
Newlands,
Cape Town and ended on
July 21 in
Eden Park,
Auckland with a Test between New Zealand and Australia. The winners, for the third consecutive year, were New Zealand.
The 2007 series consisted of six matches (two home matches each), three less than the
2006 series, due to the
2007 Rugby World Cup which commences on
7 September. The draw was scheduled to ensure that no team played more than two matches in a row, the early finish allowing each team seven full weeks before the start of the World Cup.
The competition will revert back to a nine-Test series from 2008 onwards,
[1] assuming it remains in its current three-team format. The worldwide governing body for rugby union, the
International Rugby Board, is currently brokering a deal that may see admitted to the competition as early as 2008.
[2].
The tournament had been put into jeopardy after the Springboks team confirmed they were sending a below strength side for the Australasian leg of the tournament.
[3]
Springbok selection controversy
New Zealand and Australian rugby officials have considered on the news of the below strength Springbok team, that they might consider scrapping their remaining fixtures against South Africa but have cited that because of many arrangements including broadcasting, stadium and ticket arrangements that it might be too complicated.
[4]
The
ARU also retracted proposals to continue the series without the Springboks after
SARU sent a medical report, citing a sport scientist saying "they (the Springboks) might as well not bother going to the World Cup" if they send top injured players to the remaining games.
[5] The match turned out to be much more competitive than many observers had predicted, with the Boks storming to a 17-0 lead in the first 16 minutes. The Wallabies came back to win 25-17.
Standings
| Place | Nation | Games | Points | Bonus points | Table points |
|---|
| played | won | drawn | lost | for | against | difference |
|---|
| 1 | | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 100 | 59 | +41 | 1 | '13' |
| 2 | | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 76 | 80 | -4 | 1 | '9' |
| 3 | | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 66 | 103 | -37 | 1 | '5' |
Draw
All times are local.
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References
1. 2007 Tri Nations Draw
2. Ambitious Argentina poised to secure TriNations place
3. South Africa won't back down
4. Tri Nations in jeopardy
5. ARU admit defeat in Bok row
External links
★
All Blacks Tri Nations website
★
Springboks Tri Nations website
★
Wallabies Tri Nations website