2008 Tri Nations Series

The 2008 Tri Nations Series was the thirteenth annual Tri Nations competition between the national rugby union teams of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. The All Blacks won the series on 13 September 2008 after defeating Australia in the last match of the series.

2008 Tri Nations Series
Date5 July – 13 September
Final positions
Champions New Zealand (9th title)
Bledisloe Cup New Zealand
Freedom Cup New Zealand
Mandela Challenge Plate Australia
Tournament statistics
Matches played9
Tries scored43 (4.78 per match)
Attendance444,707 (49,412 per match)
Top scorer(s)Dan Carter (82)
Most triesJongi Nokwe (4)
← 2007
2009 →

Background

This was the first Tri Nations tournament after South Africa's 2007 Rugby World Cup victory, and they went into the competition as the top team in the IRB World Rankings (having ended a 175-week run for New Zealand). On 30 June 2008, before the tournament began, New Zealand and Australia were ranked second and third in the world respectively.[1]

The All Blacks went into the series with a world record 29 successive home victories,[2][3] and South Africa with a 13 match winning streak.[4]

By the end of the tournament New Zealand had retaken top place in the IRB World Rankings. After 26 weeks at number one, South Africa slipped to second. Australia remained third.

The final match of the Bledisloe Cup series between Australia and New Zealand took place after the Tri-Nations, on 1 November (the first 3 matches of the series were part of the Tri-Nations).

Experimental Law Variations
See also: Experimental law variations

Several of the sport's Experimental Law Variations (or ELVs) were trialled as part of the 2008 Tri Nations.[5] A global trial of 13 ELVs at all levels is to be conducted for one year from 1 August 2008.[6] The Tri Nation's governing body SANZAR approved the trial of all the ELVs that had been included in the 2008 Super 14 season, as well as the ELVs to be trialled globally. Statistics from the 2008 Super 14 revealed the ELVs increased the number of tries, reduced the number of line-outs and penalties, increased the number of free kicks, but did not change the number of scrums or mauls.[7] The changes increased the attacking opportunities from scrums.[8]

Standings
Place Nation Games Points Bonus
points		 Table
points
Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Difference
1 New Zealand 6402152106+46319
2 Australia 6303119163−44214
3 South Africa 6204115117−2210

Fixtures
5 July 2008[9]
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand 19–8 South Africa
Try: Kaino 45' c
Con: Carter (1/1) 46'
Pen: Carter (4/5) 5', 21', 29', 71'		Try: Habana 37' m
Pen: James (1/2) 6'
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington
Attendance: 36,568
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
FB15Mils Muliaina
RW14Rudi Wulf
OC13Conrad Smith
IC12Ma'a Nonu
LW11Sitiveni Sivivatudownward-facing red arrow 69'
FH10Dan Carter
SH9Andy Ellisdownward-facing red arrow 74'
N88Jerome Kaino
OF7Rodney So'oialo (c)
BF6Adam Thomsondownward-facing red arrow 61'
RL5Ali Williams
LL4Brad Thorn
TP3Greg Somervilledownward-facing red arrow 74'
HK2Andrew Horedownward-facing red arrow 72'
LP1Tony Woodcock
Replacements:
HK16Keven Mealamuupward-facing green arrow 72'
PR17Neemia Tialataupward-facing green arrow 74'
LK18Anthony Boric
N819Sione Lauakiupward-facing green arrow 61'
SH20Jimmy Cowanupward-facing green arrow 74'
FH21Stephen Donald
FB22Leon MacDonaldupward-facing green arrow 69'
Coach:
New Zealand Graham Henry
FB15Conrad Jantjesdownward-facing red arrow 63'
RW14Odwa Ndungane
OC13Adrian Jacobs
IC12Jean de Villiers
LW11Bryan Habana
FH10Butch Jamesdownward-facing red arrow 58'
SH9Ricky Januariedownward-facing red arrow 72'
N88Joe van Niekerkdownward-facing red arrow 58'
OF7Juan Smith
BF6Schalk Burger
RL5Victor Matfield
LL4Bakkies Bothadownward-facing red arrow 72'
TP3CJ van der Lindedownward-facing red arrow 46'
HK2John Smit (c)downward-facing red arrow 38'
LP1Gurthro Steenkamp
Replacements:
HK16Bismarck du Plessisupward-facing green arrow 38'
PR17Brian Mujatiupward-facing green arrow 46'
LK18Andries Bekkerupward-facing green arrow 72'
FL19Luke Watsonupward-facing green arrow 58'
SH20Bolla Conradieupward-facing green arrow 72'
FH21François Steynupward-facing green arrow 58'
FB22Percy Montgomeryupward-facing green arrow 63'
Coach:
South Africa Peter de Villiers

Touch judges:
Matt Goddard (Australia)
Paul Marks (Australia)
Television match official:
George Ayoub (Australia)

12 July 2008[10]
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand 28–30 South Africa
Tries: Lauaki 56' c
Con: Carter (1/1) 57'
Pen: Carter (6/6) 5', 10', 17', 25', 40', 74'
Drop: Carter (1/1) 66'		Tries: Pietersen 32' m
Januarie 75' c
Con: Steyn (1/1) 76'
Pen: Montgomery (3/4) 13', 20', 23'
James (2/2) 63', 68'
Drop: James (1/1) 37'
Carisbrook, Dunedin
Attendance: 32,210
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)
FB15Mils Muliaina
RW14Rudi Wulf
OC13Conrad Smith
IC12Ma'a Nonu
LW11Sitiveni Sivivatudownward-facing red arrow 40'
FH10Dan Carter
SH9Andy Ellis
N88Jerome Kainodownward-facing red arrow 53'
OF7Rodney So'oialo (c)
BF6Adam Thomson
RL5Ali Williamsdownward-facing red arrow 29'
LL4Anthony Boric
TP3John Afoadownward-facing red arrow 70'
HK2Andrew Horedownward-facing red arrow 56'
LP1Tony Woodcock
Replacements:
HK16Keven Mealamuupward-facing green arrow 56'
PR17Neemia Tialataupward-facing green arrow 70'
LK18Kevin O'Neillupward-facing green arrow 29'
N819Sione Lauakiupward-facing green arrow 53'
SH20Jimmy Cowan
FH21Stephen Donald
FB22Leon MacDonaldupward-facing green arrow 40'
Coach:
New Zealand Graham Henry
FB15Percy Montgomerydownward-facing red arrow 60'
RW14JP Pietersen
OC13Adrian Jacobsdownward-facing red arrow 47'
IC12Jean de Villiers
LW11Bryan Habana
FH10Butch Jamesdownward-facing red arrow 74'
SH9Ricky Januarie
N88Joe van Niekerkdownward-facing red arrow 60'
OF7Juan Smith
BF6Schalk Burger
RL5Victor Matfield (c)yellow card 73' to 80'
LL4Bakkies Bothadownward-facing red arrow 50'upward-facing green arrow 60'downward-facing red arrow 67'
TP3CJ van der Linde
HK2Bismarck du Plessisdownward-facing red arrow 74'
LP1Gurthro Steenkampdownward-facing red arrow 53'upward-facing green arrow 60'
Replacements:
HK16Schalk Britsupward-facing green arrow 74'
PR17Brian Mujatiupward-facing green arrow 53'downward-facing red arrow 60'
LK18Andries Bekkerupward-facing green arrow 50'downward-facing red arrow 60'upward-facing green arrow 67'
FL19Luke Watsonupward-facing green arrow 60'
SH20Ruan Pienaarupward-facing green arrow 74'
FH21François Steynupward-facing green arrow 47'
FB22Conrad Jantjesupward-facing green arrow 60'
Coach:
South Africa Peter de Villiers

Touch judges:
Paul Marks (Australia)
James Leckie (Australia)
Television match official:
George Ayoub (Australia)

  • The Springboks get their first win over the All Blacks at Carisbrook, and their first win in New Zealand since 1998
19 July 2008[11]
18:00 AWST (UTC+08)
Australia 16–9 South Africa
Tries: Tuqiri 36' m
Mortlock 46' m
Pen: Giteau (1/1) 53'
Drop: Barnes (1/1) 79'		Pen: Steyn (2/3) 5', 74'
James (1/1) 55'
Subiaco Oval, Perth
Attendance: 41,838
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
26 July 2008
20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Australia 34–19 New Zealand
Tries: Cross 10' c
Hynes 31' c
Elsom 55' c
Horwill 74' c
Con: Giteau (4/4)
Pen: Giteau (1/1) 6'
Drop: Giteau (1/1) 65'		Tries: Muliaina 24' m
Hore 39' c
Ellis 45' c
Con: Carter (2/3)
Stadium Australia, Sydney
Attendance: 78,944
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
FB15Adam Ashley-Cooper
RW14Peter Hynes
OC13Ryan Cross
IC12Berrick Barnes
LW11Lote Tuqiri
FH10Matt Giteau
SH9Luke Burgess
N88Wycliff Palu
OF7George Smith (c)
BF6Rocky Elsom
RL5Nathan Sharpe
LL4James Horwill
TP3Al Baxter
HK2Stephen Moore
LP1Benn Robinson
Replacements:
HK16Tatafu Polota-Nau
PR17Matt Dunning
LK18Daniel Vickerman
N819Phil Waugh
SH20Sam Cordingley
FH21Timana Tahu
FB22Drew Mitchell
Coach:
New Zealand Robbie Deans
FB15Mils Muliaina
RW14Anthony Tuitavake
OC13Richard Kahui
IC12Ma'a Nonu
LW11Sitiveni Sivivatu
FH10Dan Carter
SH9Andy Ellis
N88Jerome Kaino
OF7Daniel Braid
BF6Rodney So'oialo (c)
RL5Ali Williams
LL4Brad Thorn
TP3Greg Somerville
HK2Andrew Hore
LP1Tony Woodcock
Replacements:
HK16Keven Mealamu
PR17John Afoa
LK18Anthony Boric
N819Sione Lauaki
SH20Jimmy Cowan
FH21Stephen Donald
FB22Conrad Smith
Coach:
New Zealand Graham Henry

Touch judges:
Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
James Bolabiu (Fiji)
Television match official:
Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

2 August 2008
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
New Zealand 39–10 Australia
Tries: Woodcock (2) 21' c, 24' m
Nonu (2) 45' c, 80' m
Con: Carter (2/4)
Pen: Carter (5/5) 6', 14', 39', 58', 65'		Try: Ashley-Cooper 32' c
Con: Giteau (1/1)
Pen: Giteau (1/1) 4'
Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
FB15Mils Muliaina
RW14Richard Kahui
OC13Conrad Smith
IC12Ma'a Nonu
LW11Sitiveni Sivivatu
FH10Dan Carter
SH9Jimmy Cowan
N88Rodney So'oialo
OF7Richie McCaw(c)
BF6Jerome Kaino
RL5Ali Williams
LL4Brad Thorn
TP3Greg Somerville
HK2Andrew Hore
LP1Tony Woodcock
Replacements:
HK16Keven Mealamu
PR17John Afoa
LK18Anthony Boric
N819Adam Thomson
SH20Piri Weepu
FH21Stephen Donald
FB22Anthony Tuitavake
Coach:
New Zealand Graham Henry
FB15Adam Ashley-Cooper
RW14Peter Hynes
OC13Stirling Mortlock(c)
IC12Berrick Barnes
LW11Lote Tuqiri
FH10Matt Giteau
SH9Luke Burgess
N88Wycliff Palu
OF7George Smith
BF6Phil Waugh
RL5Nathan Sharpe
LL4James Horwill
TP3Al Baxter
HK2Stephen Moore
LP1Benn Robinson
Replacements:
HK16Tatafu Polota-Nau
PR17Matt Dunning
LK18Daniel Vickerman
N819Hugh McMeniman
SH20Sam Cordingley
FH21Ryan Cross
FB22Drew Mitchell
Coach:
New Zealand Robbie Deans

Touch judges:
Craig Joubert (South Africa)
James Bolabiu (Fiji)
Television match official:
Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

16 August 2008
15:00 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa 0–19 New Zealand
Tries: Smith 7' m
Carter 66' c
Mealamu 72' c
Con: Carter (2/3)
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 52,000[12]
Referee: Matt Goddard (Australia)
23 August 2008
15:00 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa 15–27 Australia
Tries: Jacobs (2) 65' c, 71' m
Con: Montgomery (1/2) 66'
Pen: James (1/1) 44'		Tries: Robinson 27' c
Tuqiri 61' c
Mortlock 67' c
Con: Giteau (3/3) 28', 62', 68'
Pen: Giteau (2/3) 9', 50'
Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 50,000[15]
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
30 August 2008
15:00 SAST (UTC+02)
South Africa 53–8 Australia
Tries: Bekker 8' c
Nokwe (4) 12' m, 25' m, 35' c, 49' m
Jacobs 44' c
Pienaar 68' c
Ndungane 78' c
Con: James (3/6)
Montgomery (2/2)
Pen: James (1/1) 31'		Try: Mitchell 55' m
Pen: Giteau (1/1) 5'
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Attendance: 54,819
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
13 September 2008[16][17][18][19]
20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
Australia 24–28 New Zealand
Tries: Ashley-Cooper 40' c
Horwill 45' c
Cross 78' c
Con: Giteau (3/3) 40+1', 46', 79'
Pen: Giteau (1/2) 22'		Tries: Muliaina 13' c
Woodcock 49' c
Weepu 62' c
Carter 67' c
Con: Carter (4/4) 14', 50', 63', 68'
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 52,328[20]
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

References
  1. "IRB World Rankings – 30 June 2008". irb.com. 30 June 2008. Archived from the original on 6 November 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
  2. "All Blacks' home record 'does matter'". news.theage.com.au. 3 July 2008. Archived from the original on 21 May 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
  3. Gilhooly, Daniel (3 July 2008). "Players determined to protect home record". nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  4. Gilhooly, Daniel (23 June 2008). "McCaw will be missed". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
  5. "Tri-Nations to trial law changes". BBC. 2 June 2008. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
  6. "Law changes trial gets go-ahead". BBC. 1 May 2008. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
  7. "Experimental laws make their mark in Super 14". International Herald Tribune. 6 July 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
  8. Storey, Cameron (4 June 2008). "ELVs have improved the game". foxsports.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 July 2008. Retrieved 3 July 2008.
  9. "433rd All Black Test : 1154th All Black Game". allblacks.com. Retrieved 7 July 2008.
  10. "434th All Black Test : 1155th All Black Game". allblacks.com. Retrieved 17 July 2008.
  11. "Live Scores". sarugby.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2008.
  12. Rich, Gavin (17 August 2008). "Boks blacked out at Newlands". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  13. Sportal New Zealand (17 August 2008). "All Blacks shut Springboks out of game". New Zealand Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 29 August 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
  14. "South Africa 0–19 New Zealand". BBC Sport. 16 August 2008. Archived from the original on 3 September 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
  15. Greenaway, Mike (24 August 2008). "Day of shame for bad Boks". Sunday Independent. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  16. "All Blacks retain Tri-Nations, Bledisloe". The Age. Australia. 13 September 2008. p. 1. Archived from the original on 21 May 2011. Retrieved 13 September 2008.
  17. "BBC Sport". BBC. 14 September 2008. Archived from the original on 14 September 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2008.
  18. "All Blacks win Tri Nations". Stuff.co.nz. 14 September 2008. p. 1. Archived from the original on 23 September 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2008.
  19. "All Blacks win Tri-Nations". news24. 14 September 2008. p. 1. Archived from the original on 16 September 2008. Retrieved 14 September 2008.
  20. "Match Details: Qantas Wallabies vs. All Blacks". Australian Rugby Union. 13 September 2008. Archived from the original on 13 September 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
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