This years' series featured 2 games in South Africa before the competition moves to Australasia. The first - in a rain soaked Cape Town - was a dreary affair and the first tryless Tri Nations game with New Zealand picking up the points due to the more accurate kicking. After losing in Pretoria, Australia breathed life into the competition with a strong and historic victory in Dunedin - their first ever victory in that city. It all came down to the last game - and an emotional farewell to John Eales. The Wallabies lead for most of the game before an All Black assault early in the 2nd half put the visitors in front, but an epic comeback saw the Wallabies score the winning try in the last minute for back to back Tri Nations crowns!
An uninspiring opening game with South Africa missing many chances and kicking only 1 out of 5 attempts on goal.
date
score
score
venue
Jul-28
S.Africa
20
def
Australia
15
Pretoria
Scorers:
S.Africa
Skinstad try: van Straaten pen(5)
Australia
Burke pen(4), Edmonds pen
Comments:
A close battle with the luck falling the SA'cans way as they picked up their first points in this years campaign.
date
score
score
venue
Aug-11
N.Zealand
15
lost to
Australia
23
Dunedin
Scorers:
N.Zealand
Lomu, Wilson tries; Brown pen, Mehrtens conv
Australia
Burke, penalty try : Burke conv(2), pen(3)
Comments:
The Wallabies outplayed the All Blacks to win their first ever game at Carisbrook. Leading 10-5 at half time after Lomu put the home side ahead in the first 2 minutes, the visitors cruised ahead in a powerful performance that stamped their authority on world rugby.
date
score
score
venue
Aug-18
Australia
14
drew
S.Africa
14
Perth
Scorers:
Australia
Grey try: Burke pen(3)
S.Africa
Andrews try: van Straaten pen(3)
Comments:
Another titanic tussle in Perth resulted in the first 3N drew. Both sides missed opportunities in a very tight game.
date
score
score
venue
Aug-25
N.Zealand
26
def
S.Africa
15
Auckland
Scorers:
N.Zealand
Alatini, penalty tries: Mehrtens conv(2), pen(4)
S.Africa
van Straaten pen(5)
Comments:
On a rain soaked Eden Park the All Blacks had far too many attacking options against a defensive but limited Springboks.
