Rebel Army

Gav & Nev preview the Tri-Nations

It’s time for the juggernauts of the southern hemisphere to go head to head, as Gav & Nev preview the 2010 Tri-Nations series.

The action kicks off this Saturday at 5:35pm (AEST), when the All Blacks host the Springboks in Auckland at Eden Park. The following week the two face-off again at Westpac Stadium aka. ‘The Cake Tin’ in Wellington.

Australian fans have to wait four weeks (Saturday 24th July) for their first taste of Tri-Nations rugby, when the Wallabies host the Springboks in their 3rd Australasian match, at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. This is followed by the first of four Bledisloe Cup clashes, beginning in our very own Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. A week later the two exchange blows once again, at AMI Stadium in Christchurch, for the 2nd Bledisloe Cup match.

The All Blacks and Wallabies then travel to the Republic for one and two matches respectively. The Springboks host the All Blacks in a historic match at FNB Stadium (Soccer City) in Soweto. While the Wallabies will face off against the Springboks at the Loftus Versfield in Pretoria and a week later at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein.

The Wallabies and All Blacks will then return back home for the 3rd Bledisloe Cup match at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

Source: ARU

Gav

South Africa

If we use Super 14 as a form guide, we can expect the South Africans to offer plenty in this series. Recent wins against Six Nations champions France, wood spooners Italy and Wales, show that Springboks will be force to reckon with. Especially as current World and Tri-Nations champions. Expect More Steyn to be lethal with his boot.

New Zealand

The New Zealand Super 14 sides were lacking some consistency (with exception to the Crusaders). However recent tests against Ireland and Wales have shown, the All Blacks will not be a push over on home soil. Let’s not forget, Australia last won the Bledisloe Cup in 2002. The fixture does favor them also, allowing decent periods of rest, especially after returning from South Africa.

Australia

Australia has had mixed results in Super 14. The Reds showed plenty of flair and the Waratahs achieved measured success, none of this ultimately transposed to the Wallabies. With a lose to England in Sydney and an ugly match against Ireland in Brisbane, consistency is the biggest issue.  To their defense, injury has occurred to a number of key players, especially in the tight five. However a shining light for the Wallabies has been key playmaker Quade Cooper, who has continued with his exceptional form from Super 14.

Tip: Back to back titles for the Springboks. Expect them to win at least one match in New Zealand, and dominate at home.

Player to watch: Quade Cooper

Nev

Australia

I definitely tip the Wallabies to be the surprise package of the series. Their performance in the Super 14 has shown that they have the talent to compete and beat the best teams South Africa and New Zealand can throw at them. Add to this that, for the first time since 2003, I believe the Wallabies have enough depth to field at least 2 competitive sides, and boast dynamic young talented back line players the other Tri Nations countries can only hope for. Don’t write them off based on their inconsistent start to the season, once the A team’s on the park, sparks will fly.

The Wallabies have not won the Tri-Nations since 2001, and I am concerned that they’ve hit a wall mentally. They will need to overcome this challenge off the field in effort to be competitive on it.

New Zealand

If anything the All Blacks have already proven that the bad form during the Super 14 series is no cause for concern. They’ve brushed aside the Northern Hemisphere teams and look to be possible pace setters with the advantage of hosting home games during the start of the Tri Nations series.

I like the fact that they’ve shown consistency in team selection during their first few outings, and it’s allowed the younger players to fall into the International outfit knowing they have experience and support while on the pitch. They will definitely head into the series with confidence , and realistic expectations that they could hold up the trophy for the 10^th time come the final match.

South Africa

The Springboks have been setting the pace since their win in the 2007 world cup. Despite political influence, and various challenges off the field, they’ve maintained their winning momentum in the Super 14, as well as the Tri-Nations. The best ever Super Series finish saw two South African sides battling it out for the title, but I’m concerned that, quite the opposite to the All Blacks, this form won’t be carried over into the Tri-Nations.

They played Wales, France and Italy leading up to the Tri Series, winning all their games, but they picked as many as 46 players during this time. They will go into the Tri Nations, possibly with their ‘best’ team, although this will be the first time these combinations play along-side each other since possibly last year’s Tri-Nations. Considering that they have the toughest draw, starting away from home, playing the All Blacks twice in New Zealand, followed by the Wallabies in Brisbane, they will need to hit the ground running.

They’re good, but for this, probably not good enough.

Tip: The All Blacks, starting with home advantage, and having played with a consistent side leading into the series, I’ll favour them to start early, and allowing their home winning momentum to guide them to a series win with one or maybe two away wins in Australia and South Africa. South Africa will notoriously underperform due to lack of consistency during selection, and the Wallabies win their home games, and hopefully secure a sneaky away win to keep the other two teams thinking.

Player to watch: Cooper, Steyn and Carter have hit great form, but I think the loose forwards will dictate success. Look out for monsters like Louw, Spies, McCaw and Elsom to lead the try scoring in 2010!

Don’t forget to attend the Bledisloe Cup pre game meet and greet, on July 31 at Turf Bar. For more info: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=116603281705155

Schedule (AEST):