2007 Tri Nations Series

2007 Tri Nations Series
Date 16 June – 21 July
Final positions
Champions  New Zealand (8th title)
Tournament statistics
Matches played 6
Tries scored 19 (3.17 per match)
Attendance 310,998 (51,833 per match)
Top scorer(s) New Zealand Carter (62)
Most tries New Zealand Woodcock (2)
Australia Giteau (2)
← 2006
2008 →

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 16 June, with a Test between South Africa and Australia at Newlands, Cape Town and ended on 21 July 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, because of the 2007 Rugby World Cup which commenced 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 to a nine-Test series from 2008 onwards.[1] Early in 2007, it was thought that there was a chance that Argentina could be admitted to the competition as early as 2008, as it had been reported that the worldwide governing body for rugby union, the International Rugby Board, was brokering a deal for the entry of the Pumas.[2] However, by August of that year, it became clear that the competition would not be expanded while the current media contracts ran; the key contract with News Corporation does not expire until 2010.[3]

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.[4]

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.[5] 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.[6] The match turned out to be much more competitive than many observers had predicted, with South Africa storming to a 17–0 lead in the first 16 minutes before the Wallabies regained their composure to eventually overrun the Boks 25–17.

Standings

Place Nation Games Points Bonus
points		 Table
points
Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Difference
1 New Zealand 430110059+41113
2 Australia 42027680−419
3 South Africa 410366103−3715

Results

All times are local.

Week 1

16 June 2007
15:00 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa  22–19  Australia
Tries: Fourie 15' c
Con: Montgomery
Pen: Montgomery (3) 3', 45', 53'
Drop: Steyn (2) 74', 77'		 Tries: Giteau 31' c
Con: Mortlock
Pen: Mortlock (4) 13', 29', 36', 44'
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 49,333
Referee: England Wayne Barnes (England)
South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA:
FB 15Percy Montgomery
RW 14Ashwin Willemse
OC 13Jaque Fourie
IC 12Jean de Villiers
LW 11JP Pietersen
FH 10Butch James
SH 9Ruan Pienaar
N8 8Pierre Spies
OF 7Juan Smith
BF 6Schalk Burger
RL 5Victor Matfield
LL 4Bakkies Botha
TP 3BJ Botha
HK 2John Smit (c)
LP 1Gurthro Steenkamp
Substitutions:
HK 16Gary Botha
PR 17CJ van der Linde
LK 18Johann Muller
N8 19Danie Rossouw
SH 20Michael Claassens
CE 21Wynand Olivier
FB 22François Steyn
Coach:
South Africa Jake White
Australia
AUSTRALIA:
FB 15Julian Huxley
RW 14Drew Mitchell
OC 13Stirling Mortlock (c)
IC 12Matt Giteau
LW 11Lote Tuqiri
FH 10Stephen Larkham
SH 9 George Gregan
N8 8 Wycliff Palu
OF 7 George Smith
BF 6 Rocky Elsom
RL 5 Daniel Vickerman
LL 4 Nathan Sharpe
TP 3 Guy Shepherdson
HK 2 Stephen Moore
LP 1 Matt Dunning
Substitutions:
HK 16Adam Freier
PR 17Al Baxter
LK 18Mark Chisholm
FL 19Stephen Hoiles
FL 20Phil Waugh
CE 21Adam Ashley-Cooper
WG 22Mark Gerrard
Coach:
Australia

Week 2

23 June 2007
15:00 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa  21–26  New Zealand
Tries: Burger 40'
James 44'
Con: Montgomery
Pen: Montgomery (2) 5', 66'
Pienaar 19'		 Tries: McCaw 69' c
Rokocoko 71' c
Con: Carter (2)
Pen: Carter (3) 31', 38', 55'
Drop: Mauger 42'
Kings Park, Durban
Attendance: 51,861
Referee: Ireland Alain Rolland (Ireland)
South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA:
FB 15Percy Montgomery
RW 14Ashwin Willemse
OC 13Jaque Fourie
IC 12Jean de Villiers
LW 11JP Pietersen
FH 10Butch James
SH 9 Ruan Pienaar
N8 8 Bobby Skinstad
OF 7 Danie Rossouw
BF 6 Schalk Burger
RL 5 Victor Matfield (c)
LL 4 Bakkies Botha
TP 3 BJ Botha
HK 2 Gary Botha
LP 1 Os du Randt
Substitutions:
HK 16Bismarck du Plessis
PR 17CJ van der Linde
LK 18Johann Muller
N8 19Pedrie Wannenburg
SH 20Michael Claassens
FH 21Wynand Olivier
CE 22François Steyn
Coach:
South Africa Jake White
New Zealand
NEW ZEALAND:
FB 15Mils Muliaina
RW 14Joe Rokocoko
OC 13Isaia Toeava
IC 12Aaron Mauger
LW 11Sitiveni Sivivatu
FH 10Dan Carter
SH 9 Byron Kelleher
N8 8 Rodney So'oialo
OF 7 Richie McCaw (c)
BF 6 Jerry Collins
RL 5 Greg Rawlinson
LL 4 Troy Flavell
TP 3 Carl Hayman
HK 2 Anton Oliver
LP 1 Tony Woodcock
Substitutions:
HK 16Keven Mealamu
PR 17Neemia Tialata
LK 18Ross Filipo
FL 19Chris Masoe
SH 20Piri Weepu
CE 21Luke McAlister
FB 22Leon MacDonald
Coach:
New Zealand Graham Henry

Week 3

30 June 2007
20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Australia  20–15  New Zealand
Tries: Ashley-Cooper 64' c
Staniforth 71' c
Con: Giteau (2/2)
Pen: Mortlock (2) 14', 19'		 Tries: Woodcock 3' c
Gear 26' m
Con: Carter (1/2)
Pen: Carter 17'
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Attendance: 79,322
Referee: South Africa Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Australia
AUSTRALIA:
FB 15Julian Huxley
RW 14Adam Ashley-Cooper
OC 13Stirling Mortlock (c)
IC 12Matt Giteau
LW 11Lote Tuqiri
FH 10Stephen Larkham
SH 9 George Gregan
N8 8 Rocky Elsom
OF 7 George Smith
BF 6 Wycliff Palu
RL 5 Daniel Vickerman
LL 4 Nathan Sharpe
TP 3 Guy Shepherdson
HK 2 Stephen Moore
LP 1 Matt Dunning
Substitutions:
HK 16Adam Freier
PR 17Al Baxter
FL 18Mark Chisholm
LK 19Stephen Hoiles
FL 20Phil Waugh
FH 21Scott Staniforth
FB 22Mark Gerrard
Coach:
Australia John Connolly
New Zealand
NEW ZEALAND:
FB 15Mils Muliaina
RW 14Rico Gear
OC 13Luke McAlister
IC 12Aaron Mauger
LW 11Joe Rokocoko
FH 10Dan Carter
SH 9 Byron Kelleher
N8 8 Rodney So'oialo
OF 7 Richie McCaw (c)
BF 6 Jerry Collins
RL 5 Troy Flavell
LL 4 Chris Jack
TP 3 Carl Hayman
HK 2 Anton Oliver
LP 1 Tony Woodcock
Substitutions:
PR 16Keven Mealamu
PR 17Neemia Tialata
LK 18Ross Filipo
FL 19Chris Masoe
SH 20Piri Weepu
FH 21Nick Evans
WG 22Sitiveni Sivivatu
Coach:
New Zealand Graham Henry

Week 4

7 July 2007
20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Australia  25–17  South Africa
Tries: Gerrard 22'
Hoiles 42'
Giteau 55'
Con: Mortlock (2)
Pen: Mortlock (2)		 Tries: van Heerden 6' c
Paulse 8' c
Con: Hougaard (2)
Pen: Hougaard 16'
Telstra Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 51,174
Referee: New Zealand Paul Honiss (New Zealand)
Australia
AUSTRALIA:
FB 15Julian Huxley
RW 14Mark Gerrard
OC 13Stirling Mortlock (c)
IC 12Matt Giteau
LW 11Adam Ashley-Cooper
FH 10Stephen Larkham
SH 9 George Gregan
N8 8 Stephen Hoiles
OF 7 George Smith
BF 6 Rocky Elsom
RL 5 Daniel Vickerman
LL 4 Nathan Sharpe
TP 3 Guy Shepherdson
HK 2 Adam Freier
LP 1 Matt Dunning
Substitutions:
HK 16Sean Hardman
PR 17Al Baxter
LK 18Hugh McMeniman
FL 19David Lyons
FL 20Phil Waugh
FH 21Scott Staniforth
FB 22Drew Mitchell
Coach:
Australia John Connolly
South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA:
FB 15Bevin Fortuin
RW 14Breyton Paulse
OC 13Waylon Murray
IC 12Wynand Olivier
LW 11JP Pietersen
FH 10Derick Hougaard
SH 9 Ruan Pienaar
N8 8 Bobby Skinstad
OF 7 Pedrie Wannenburg
BF 6 Wikus van Heerden
RL 5 Johann Muller
LL 4 Johan Ackerman
TP 3 Jannie du Plessis
HK 2 Gary Botha (c)
LP 1 CJ van der Linde
Substitutions:
PR 16Bismarck du Plessis
PR 17Eddie Andrews
LK 18Albert van den Berg
FL 19Jacques Cronjé
SH 20Michael Claassens
FH 21Peter Grant
CE 22Jaco Pretorius
Coach:
South Africa Jack White

Week 5

14 July 2007
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand  33–6  South Africa
Tries: Leonard 69' c
Evans 76' c
Carter 80' c
Con: Carter (3)
Pen: Carter (4)		 Pen: Hougaard (2)
Jade Stadium, Christchurch
Attendance: 33,708
Referee: Australia Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
New Zealand
NEW ZEALAND:
FB 15Mils Muliaina
RW 14Doug Howlett
OC 13Isaia Toeava
IC 12Luke McAlister
LW 11Sitiveni Sivivatu
FH 10Dan Carter
SH 9 Piri Weepu
N8 8 Rodney So'oialo
OF 7 Richie McCaw (c)
BF 6 Reuben Thorne
RL 5 Keith Robinson
LL 4 Chris Jack
TP 3 Carl Hayman
HK 2 Keven Mealamu
LP 1 Tony Woodcock
Substitutions:
HK 16Andrew Hore
PR 17Neemia Tialata
FL 18Jerry Collins
FL 19Chris Masoe
SH 20Brendon Leonard
CE 21Conrad Smith
FH 22Nick Evans
Coach:
New Zealand Graham Henry
South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA:
FB 15JP Pietersen
RW 14Breyton Paulse
OC 13Waylon Murray
IC 12Wynand Olivier
LW 11Jaco Pretorius
FH 10Derick Hougaard
SH 9 Ruan Pienaar
N8 8 Jacques Cronjé
OF 7 Pedrie Wannenburg
BF 6 Wikus van Heerden
RL 5 Johann Muller (c)
LL 4 Albert van den Berg
TP 3 Jannie du Plessis
HK 2 Bismarck du Plessis
LP 1 CJ van der Linde
Substitutions:
HK 16Gary Botha
PR 17Eddie Andrews
LK 18Gerrie Britz
N8 19Hilton Lobberts
SH 20Michael Claassens
FH 21Peter Grant
WG 22Tonderai Chavhanga
Coach:
South Africa Jake White

Week 6

21 July 2007
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand  26–12  Australia
Try: Woodcock 58' m
Pen: Carter (7) 10', 29', 36', 39', 44', 51', 73'		 Pen: Mortlock (3) 24', 33', 47'
Drop: Giteau 25'
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Wales Nigel Owens (Wales)
New Zealand
NEW ZEALAND:
FB 15Mils Muliaina
RW 14Doug Howlett
OC 13Isaia Toeava
IC 12Luke McAlister
LW 11Joe Rokocoko
FH 10Dan Carter
SH 9 Byron Kelleher
N8 8 Rodney So'oialo
OF 7 Richie McCaw (c)
BF 6 Jerry Collins
RL 5 Chris Jack
LL 4 Keith Robinson
TP 3 Carl Hayman
HK 2 Anton Oliver
LP 1 Tony Woodcock
Substitutions:
HK 16Keven Mealamu
PR 17Neemia Tialata
LK 18Reuben Thorne
FL 19Chris Masoe
SH 20Brendon Leonard
CE 21Aaron Mauger
FH 22Nick Evans
Coach:
New Zealand Graham Henry
Australia
AUSTRALIA:
FB 15Adam Ashley-Cooper
RW 14Mark Gerrard
OC 13Stirling Mortlock (c)
IC 12Matt Giteau
LW 11Drew Mitchell
FH 10Stephen Larkham
SH 9 George Gregan
N8 8 Stephen Hoiles
OF 7 George Smith
BF 6 Rocky Elsom
RL 5 Daniel Vickerman
LL 4 Nathan Sharpe
TP 3 Guy Shepardson
HK 2 Stephen Moore
LP 1 Matt Dunning
Substitutions:
HK 16Adam Freier
PR 17Al Baxter
FL 18Hugh McMeniman
LK 19Mark Chisholm
FL 20Phil Waugh
CE 21Scott Staniforth
FB 22Chris Latham
Coach:
Australia John Connolly
Tri Nations
2007 Winners
New Zealand
New Zealand
Eighth Title

References

  1. ↑ "2007 Tri Nations Draw". rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 11 October 2007.
  2. ↑ Cain, Nick (25 February 2007). "Ambitious Argentina poised to secure TriNations place". The Sunday Times. London. Retrieved 27 May 2007.
  3. ↑ "Pumas will stay crouched until 2010". RugbyRugby.com. 13 August 2007. Retrieved 11 October 2007.
  4. ↑ Waldburger, Chris (26 June 2007). "South Africa won't back down". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 27 June 2007.
  5. ↑ Linden, Julian (27 June 2007). "Tri Nations in jeopardy". Yahoo!Xtra. Retrieved 27 June 2007.
  6. ↑ "ARU admit defeat in Bok row". News24. Retrieved 28 June 2007.

External links

Preceded by
2006 Tri Nations		 Rugby Union Tri Nations
2007 		Succeeded by
2008 Tri Nations