Category: Australia

Sanzar have released the schedule for the 2005 Tri Nations.

Tri Nations champions South Africa will kick off the competition at home with a game against Australia on July 30. Followed then by a game against New Zealand.

Next Australia host two matches at home. New Zealand host the final two games.

Draw works out best for Australia, who start of with a game in South Africa. Then have a two week break before their two home games. And another two week break before travelling to New Zealand to play their final game.

Tri-Nations schedule for 2005

July 30: South Africa vs Australia, Securicor Loftus, Pretoria, kick-off 15:00 (13:00 UTC)
August 6: South Africa vs New Zealand, Newlands, Cape Town, kick-off 15:00 (13:00 UTC)
August 13: Australia vs New Zealand, Telstra Stadium, Sydney, kick-off 17:00 (04:00 UTC)
August 20: Australia vs South Africa, Subiaco Oval, Perth,
August 27: New Zealand vs South Africa, Carisbrook, Dunedin,
September 3: New Zealand vs Australia, Eden Park, Auckland,

South Africa 23 defeated Australia 19 in the last game of the 2004 Tri Nations.

South Africa - Tries: Victor Matfield, Johann van Niekerk; Conversions: Percy Montgomery 2; Penalties: Montgomery 3

Australia - Tries: Lote Tuqiri, Stirling Mortlock, George Smith; Conversions: Matt Giteau 2

On Saturday, South Africa host Australia for the last game of the 2004 Tri Nations series. The game is of great importance for both teams as the winner of this game will win the Tri Nations.

The Wallaby team remains the same as the one that defeated New Zealand two weeks ago.

South Africa: Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Marius Joubert, De Wet Barry, Jean de Villiers; Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Bolla Conradie; Joe van Niekerk, AJ Venter, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Eddie Andrews, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt.

Replacements: Hanyani Shimange, CJ van der Linde, Gerrie Britz, Jacques Cronje, Fourie du Preez, Gaffie du Toit, Brent Russell.

Australia: Chris Latham; Clyde Rathbone, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri; Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (captain); David Lyons, Phil Waugh, George Smith, Nathan Sharpe, Justin Harrison, Al Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Bill Young.

Replacements: Jeremy Paul, Matt Dunning, Dan Vickerman, John Roe, Chris Whitaker, Matthew Burke, Wendell Sailor.

On Saturday the Wallabies host the All Blacks for the fourth match of the 2004 Tri nations series.

For New Zealand, blind side flanker Jono Gibbs returns from injury. The others changes are lock Ali Williams replaces Simon Maling in the starting lineout. While Carl Hayman returns at tighthead prop in place of Greg Somerville who was selected just for the South African game two weeks ago.

All Black lock Keith Robinson was set to make a return this week but tore a calve muscle in match for his province Waikato.

Australia: Chris Latham; Clyde Rathbone, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri; Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (captain); David Lyons, Phil Waugh, George Smith, Nathan Sharpe, Justin Harrison, Al Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Bill Young.

Replacements: Jeremy Paul, Matt Dunning, Dan Vickerman, John Roe, Chris Whitaker, Matthew Burke, Wendell Sailor.

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina; Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga (captain), Daniel Carter, Joe Rokocoko, Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall; Xavier Rush, Marty Holah, Jono Gibbes, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws.

Replacements: Andrew Hore, Greg Somerville, Mose Tuiali’i, Craig Newby, Byron Kelleher, Andrew Mehrtens, Sam Tuitupou.

In the third rugby match of the 2004 Tri Nations, Australia defeated South Africa 30 points to 26.

The Springboks lead at half time 16 points to the Wallabies 15. During the second half the lead seesawed between the teams. Until Australian winger Clyde Rathbone tip-toed down the sideline to score a try against his nation of birth. Rathbone’s try gave Australia a 4 point lead, which despite a sprited attack from South Africa, was enough to give Australia the win and a bonus point for scoring four tries.

Australia - Tries: Lote Tuqiri, Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, Clyde Rathbone. Conversions: Matt Giteau, Matt Burke. Penalties: Giteau (2).

South Africa - Tries: Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Jean de Villiers, Gaffie du Toit. Conversion: Percy Montgomery. Penalties: Montgomery (3).

Australia and South Africa have both named their sides for the third Tri Nations game of 2004.

The big changes for the Wallabies is the return of cpatain and halfback George Gregan. Hooker Jeremy Paul starts the game as Brendan Cannon is serving a suspension for punching. Flanker Radike Samo is dropped form the squad in favour of George Smith.

The main change for the Springboks is the return of Gerrie Britz who has been out since breaking his nose while playing against the Pacific Islanders.
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New Zealand started of the tri-nations competition with a victory hard fought victory over Australia.

New Zealand dominated both territory and possession, but were unable to convert that advantage into points. A penalty kick scored by Daniel Carter was scoring play in the first half.

In the second half All Black winger scored New Zealand’s only try after a concerted forward effort. Australia were able to score a try after Joe Rokocoko failed to take a high kick from the Wallabies.

The victory also means that New Zealand retain the Bledisloe.

New Zealand - Try: Doug Howlett; Conversion: Daniel Carter; Penalties: Carter (3)

Australia - Try: Stirling Mortlock; Conversion: Matt Gitea

New Zealand take on Australia in the first match of the 2004 Tri-nations competition. The game to be played at Wellington Stadium on Saturday, will be the first time the two nations have met in an international since Australia’s victory in the semi-final of the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

All Black lock Keith Robinson injured his back at training during the week and may miss the game, Simon Maling is set to take his played should he not play. Flanker Richie McCaw was originally named in the starting line up, but withdrew yet again because of headaches. Marty Holah will start the game in his place.

The Australian team is severly weaken through injury. Most significantly half-back and captain George Gregan is out from an injury sustained during the match against the Pacific Islanders. Also winger Clyde Rathbone is starting ahead of Wendell Sailor.

Australia: Chris Latham, Clyde Rathbone, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri, Stephen Larkham, Chris Whitaker, David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Radike Samo, Nathan Sharpe (c), Justin Harrison, Al Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Bill Young.

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga (c), Daniel Carter, Joe Rokocoko, Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall, Xavier Rush, Marty Holah, Jono Gibbes, Keith Robinson (Simon Maling), Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws.

Australian rugby captain George Gregan is out with an injured shoulder as the result of a rough tackle from Seilala Mapusua. Gregan is likely to be out for a month with the injury. Mapusua has been subsequently been banned for one week for the tackle and will miss the Pacific Islands match against the All Blacks.

Australian fullback Joe Roff was also injured during the match suffering damage to his knee cartilage. Roff will likely be out of the game for at least 6 weeks.

The Wallabies defeated the combined Pacific Islands team in a one-off rugby union game at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

The Pacific Islands team played a good game and scored two tries. Of note was Sione Lauki who had a strong game and scored the first of the Islanders tries.

But they were no match for the Australian team who were able to dominate possession and field position.

Australian winger Clyde Rathbone came under particular attention from the Pacific Islands defence. Coming off in the second half after sustaining a knock to the head. A number of other Australian players took a few knocks and bruises.

The Islanders played well in their first combined match. The Pacific Island played showed lots of raw talent but were let down in some of the technical aspects of rugby such as positional kicking and the line out.

Also of note was South African referee Andre Watson who was officiating his last international match after announcing his retirement from international refereeing.

Australia: Tries: Matt Giteau (2), Stirling Mortlock (2), Brendan Cannon. Conversions: Joe Roff, Matthew Burke.

Pacific Islanders: Tries: Sione Lauki, Sireli Bobo. Conversions: Seremai Bai (2).