2007 Tri Nations Series

Infobox Rugby Union Tri Nations
year = 2007


imagesize = 100px
caption = Official logo
matches = 6
country = New Zealand
starts = 16 June
last = 21 July
matchesplayed = 6
tries = 19
attendance = 310998
top point scorer = flagicon|NZL Carter (62)
top try scorer = flagicon|NZL Woodcock (2)
flagicon|AUS Giteau (2)
winners = New Zealand
count = 8th

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, 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 back to a nine-Test series from 2008 onwards.cite web | work=rugby.com.au | title=2007 Tri Nations Draw |url=http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2007_tri_nations_draw_announced,49455.html_refer=australia| accessdate=2007-10-11] Early in 2007, it was thought that there was a chance that nrut|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".cite web|url=http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby/article1434537.ece |title=Ambitious Argentina poised to secure TriNations place |publisher="The Sunday Times" |first=Nick |last=Cain |date=2007-02-25 |accessdate=2007-05-27] 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.cite web|url=http://www.rugbyrugby.com/tournaments/tri_nations/story_13807145000.php |title=Pumas will stay crouched until 2010 |publisher="RugbyRugby.com" |date=2007-08-13 |accessdate=2007-10-11]

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. cite web|url=http://www.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3551_2450654,00.html |title=South Africa won't back down |publisher="Planet Rugby" |first=Chris |last=Waldburger |date=2007-06-26 |accessdate=2007-06-27]

pringbok 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. cite web|url=http://yahooxtra.net.nz/rugby/0,,14646-7544305,00.html |title=Tri Nations in jeopardy|publisher="Yahoo!Xtra" |first=Julian |last=Linden |date=2007-06-27 |accessdate=2007-06-27] 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.cite web|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/Rugby/0,,2-9-838_2137111,00.html |title=ARU admit defeat in Bok row |publisher="News24" |accessdate=2007-06-28] 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.

tandings

Week 3

rugbybox
date = 2007-06-30
time = 20:00 AEST
home = ru-rt|AUS
score = 20 – 15
away = ru|NZL
homescore = Tries: Ashley-Cooper 64' c
Staniforth 71' c
Con: Giteau (2)
Pen: Mortlock (2) 14', 19'
awayscore = Tries: Woodcock 3' c
Gear 25' m
Con: Carter
Pen: Carter 17'
stadium = Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
attendance = 79,322
referee = Marius Jonker flagicon|RSA

Week 4

rugbybox
date = 2007-07-07
time = 20:00 AEST
home = ru-rt|AUS
score = 25 – 17
away = ru|RSA
homescore = Tries: Gerrard 22'
Hoiles 42'
Giteau 55'
Con: Mortlock (2)
Pen: Mortlock (2)
awayscore = Tries: van Heerden 6' c
Paulse 8' c
Con: Hougaard (2)
Pen: Hougaard 16'
stadium = Telstra Stadium, Sydney
attendance = 51,174
referee = Paul Honiss flagicon|NZL

Week 5

rugbybox
date = 2007-07-14
time = 19:35 NZST
home = ru-rt|NZL
score = 33 – 6
away = ru|RSA
homescore = Tries: Leonard 69' c
Evans 76' c
Carter 80' c
Con: Carter (3)
Pen: Carter (4)
awayscore = Pen: Hougaard (2)
stadium = Jade Stadium, Christchurch
attendance = 33,708
referee = Stuart Dickinson flagicon|AUS

Week 6

rugbybox
date = 2007-07-21
time = 19:35 NZST
home = ru-rt|NZL
score = 26 – 12
away = ru|AUS
homescore = Try: Woodcock 58' m
Pen: Carter (7) 10', 29', 36', 39', 44', 51', 73'
awayscore = Pen: Mortlock (3) 24', 33', 47'
Drop: Giteau 25'
stadium = Eden Park, Auckland
attendance = 45,000
referee = Nigel Owens flagicon|WAL

References

External links

* [http://www.allblacks.com/fixtures/ All Blacks Tri Nations website]
* [http://www.sarugby.co.za/tournaments.asp?cat=sarugby/trinations&id=570 Springboks Tri Nations website]
* [http://www.rugby.com.au/fixtures_results/tri_nations/tri_nations_sub_landing,21819.html Wallabies Tri Nations website]