About the Tri Nations

Stirling Mortlock attempts to break through the line.

Tri Nations Trophy

The Tri Nations Cup was first contested in 1996 when South Africa, New Zealand and Australia formed SANZAR and pitched the Wallabies, All Blacks and Springboks against each other in the world's premier rugby competition. 

The Trophy has been won eight times by New Zealand (1996, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007) and twice each by South Africa (1998 and 2004) and Australia (2000 and 2001).

Australia’s 2000 Tri Nations series victory came thanks to Stirling Mortlock penalty goal on the bell against South Africa in Durban. Australia retained the trophy the following year, when Toutai Kefu scored a match winning try in the dying seconds against New Zealand at ANZ Stadium (formally known as Stadium Australia).

In 2002, The Tri Nations trophy went to the All Blacks, who won three out of their four matches. Then dominated the series again in 2003, with a convincing clean sweep of victories.

In 2004, South Africa defeated the Wallabies in the last match of the series to win the Trophy for the second time, while in 2005 the All Blacks lost one Test on their way to their sixth Tri Nations victory.

In 2006, the All Blacks again dominated the tournament, only losing once to South Africa in Rustenberg, before claiming their seventh title. Last year New Zealand won the Tri Nations for the third consecutive year, defeating Australia at a rain-soaked Eden Park 26-12 to secure victory.