Category: Tri Nations

The South Africans have made two changes to their team which will play the All Blacks this weekend.

Flanker Juan Smith has been ruled out through injury, with Joe van Niekerk confirmed as his replacement.

Jean de Villiers returns to the South African midfield at second five after being out for few months with a rib injury.

South Africa: Percy Montgomery, Akona Ndungane, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Fourie du Preez, Jacques Cronje, Joe van Niekerk (probable), Solly Tyibilika, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, CJ van der Linde, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt.

Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, BJ Botha, Albert van den Berg, Joe van Niekerk, Pierre Spies (probable), Ruan Pienaar, Wynand Olivier, Andre Pretorius.

Australian winger Lote Tuqiri has been handed a 5 match ban by a Sanzar judicial committee for his dangerous tackle on All Blacks captain Richie McCaw during Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup test match at Eden Park.

Tuqiri will miss the Wallabies final Tri-Nations game against South Africa in three weeks’ time, three games for New South Wales against the Brumbies, the Queensland Reds and the Perth Force next month and the opening game of Australia’s Northern Hemisphere tour in November against the Welsh club Ospreys.

Lock Chris Jack and centre Luke McAlister both scored late tries to hand New Zealand a 34-27 victory over Australia on Saturday. The win gives New Zealand it’s seventh Tri-Nations title.

The Wallabies lead 20 points to 11 at half time.

New Zealand: Tries: Jason Eaton (35), Chris Jack (63), Luke McAlister (68); Conversions: Daniel Carter (64,69); Penalty Goals: Daniel Carter (5,20,47,52,80)

Australia: Tries: Lote Tuqiri (25,72), Rocky Elsom (39); Conversions: Stirling Mortlock (26,40,73); Penalty Goals: Stirling Mortlock (2,16)

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has named his team to play Australia in their Tri-Nations match in Auckland on Saturday. The main change is utility back Isaia Toeava starting at centre. With Mils Muliaina returning to fullback to make way for Toeava.

Team: 15-Mils Muliaina; 14-Doug Howlett, 13-Isaia Toeava, 12-Aaron Mauger, 11-Joe Rokocoko; 10-Dan Carter, 9-Byron Kelleher; 8-Rodney So’oialo, 7-Richie McCaw (captain), 6-Jerry Collins, 5-Jason Eaton, 4-Chris Jack, 3-Carl Hayman, 2-Keven Mealamu, 1-Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16-Andrew Hore, 17-Greg Somerville, 18-Ali Williams, 19-Chris Masoe, 20-Piri Weepu, 21-Luke McAlister, 22-Leon MacDonald.

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.

In the fifth game of the 2004 Tri nations series, South Africa defeated New Zealand 40 points to 26.

South Africa - Tries: Marius Joubert (3), Breyton Paulse, Jean de Villiers; Conversions: Percy Montgomery (3); Penalties: Montgomery (3)

New Zealand - Tries: Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko; Conversions: Andrew Mehrtens (2); Penalties: Mehrtens (4)

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).