KEY POINTS:
All Black coach Graham Henry says his squad's poor Tri-Nations form is because some players have their minds on this year's Rugby World Cup.
Henry says he had made some changes to the All Black team for Saturday's test to give the less employed in the squad some matchplay - a decision at odds with the original intention to play the best side all the way through the Tri-Nations.
Players who fell into this category were Doug Howlett, Reuben Thorne, Piri Weepu, Keven Mealamu and Keith Robinson.
Should the Tri-Nations be scrapped in World Cup years? Here is a selection of Your Views:
Jason (South Africa)
I think that the Tri-Nations should continue during future world cups. If the teams need to field "B" teams then so be it, it makes an interesting mix of rugby. It is great seeing new players and different combinations of teams. The last SA vs Australia game was great to watch, was anyone expecting that "B" team to do so well? Let's face it, the fans don't get enough rugby every year (compared to football). I say we should have more rugby matches in the calendar played with a combination of 2-3 teams per nation. SA and NZ are both capable of fielding 3 good teams, Australia and other nations are not far off.
Anton Vernall (Seattle)
I've heard all the excuses under the sun now. Do you really think that McCaw missed the two tackles that lead to Australian tries because he had one eye on the world cup? Or Carter missed easy points on offer because he was already picturing himself taking glamour shots with the trophy? Please. They simply weren't good enough under pressure. World Cups are won by intellectually crafted changeable game plans carried out by exceptionally talented leading players whilst under pressure. Such as Nick Far Jones, Francios Pienaar, John Eales, Martin Johnson. Sorry but this team has been developed around players like Mccaw, Collins, Rodney S, Jack, who do not have the inspirational qualities to sustain there game and others around them at that level of intensity. Which just leaves everybody coming up with excuses for losing, even the coach. Very difficult to swallow but these players will go down with a large list of other All Black almost cup holders. Andrew Merthens, Justin Marshall, Rueben Thorne, Taine Randel, who also choked. It is not being a great player that counts when it comes to the world cup but answering the call when its time to be exceptional. There have been players in the NBA with shooting percentages greater than Jordan but they missed the ones that mattered. Thats why he is the legend and they are forgotten. This part of a man can't be taught. Henry has selected a team that can win nine out of ten but not the one that counts, and has everybody fooled they have something up there sleeve. There's more chance of Greg Norman winning a Masters. I'm a kiwi but my money's on the Boks.
Scrumma (Perth)
Well I must say it's had more than it's fair share of criticism, especially when teams aren't bringing their best teams to the dinner table. As much as I always look forward to the Tri-Nations and Super 14s, as no competitions offers this much excitement, I do think it may be a wise idea to scrap the Tri-Nations in world cup year, unless all three nations agree that world cup year may bring about changes and resting players for the big one. At least then we all know before hand what to expect. But as I say, New Zealand and South Africa have so much depth that both nations could field two different teams as we just about saw the Bok's upsetting the Wallabies. I'm sure Sanzar will address this issue closely following all this bickering and whinging from New Zealand and Australia. We can't moan New Zealand as we did rest our players but still had 2 teams in the semis of Super 14, which goes back to the depth we have in New Zealand.
Tuaman
Yes it should be scrapped. It gives the opposition time to gauge the All Blacks and work on combating them. Also Graeme Henry needs to be shot for continuing with Byron, he is mud! He consistently buggers things up at the base of the scrum/ruck and is to slow freeing the ball up, instead arguing and trying to milk a penalty and then he loses the ball or sets his outsides up by being so slow. His choices suck and Henry and co's persistence with Byron and Thorne has thrown me right off the All Blacks.
Mick (Sydney)
More pap served up to the public from the Aussies. One minute they're saying the ABs are chokers and can't win the close games, the next they're talking us up. They're like a pack of Galahs and should be ignored. Connelly's probably trying to make us complacent so if the Boks do give us a run for our money and we either lose or win within 10 points, they'll be harping on about the fragility of the Kiwi mind yet again. At least they're consistent and act like prats in all sports.
Pam (Sydney)
Why the heck are we even suggesting something so ridiculous. This has been the first time in a world cup year that we've had trouble shooting with our tests matches, "yes" all of them, and if your going to start with the Tri-Nations why not go the whole hog and scrap all test matches and the Super 14. Why the freakin' panic, the one thing you guys at home should be focusing on is our exodus of players to Europe. Why are they unhappy in NZ? Is the NZRU the problem? What the hell is going on there? Sure we've witnessed some below par test matches this year, but hey that's a minor blip compared to the loss of some of our best players, young and old to boot! So let's get our priorities right and get that bloody world cup where it belongs in New Zealand, but frankly when your an ex-pat Kiwi hearing about the loss of players at home it leaves you wondering.
Fili (Sydney)
Yes, the Tri-Nations should be scrapped in World Cup years. Needless to say but it is a great tournament and to have the three Super Heavyweights of world rugby battling it out does indeed attract millions of viewers and certainly put bums on seats. It's also a tricky one because then it'll be difficult to tone down the Bledisloe clashes as well, however, maybe just play two Bledisloe Tests. It's the logical solution if the NZRU/ARU prefers to maintain the historical classic Tasman rivalry on a yearly basis. Then again, you have the Super XIV to worry about. On the other hand, in a World Cup year it'd be far more sensible that all participating nations for the finals concentrate on their own preparations and conduct national trials format in order to peak for the one that counts. Perhaps continue the more 'below-par' international Tests calendar just for a decent hit out whereas it wouldn't be as gruelling and brutal as the Bledisloe/Tri-Nations. Interestingly, Dan 'The Man' Carter has admitted his mind was in World Cup-mode whilst playing the Tri-Nations Tests, so there is surely a high percentage of other players in the same mindset through no fault of their own. So, scrap it.
JPS (Dunedin)
The Tri-Nations is tiresome, repetitive and reflects the insular mentality of southern hemisphere rugby. It is not the pinnacle of achievement in international rugby. The old fashioned grand slam tours were the true test of the skill, depth and mental toughness of the All Blacks. These tours involved an intense mix of several tests (sometimes against various nations, depending on where they were touring) and often unpredictable midweek matches against regional or invitation sides. To endure such tours undefeated took immense mettle. Return to the more varied international rugby schedules of the past say I.
Rickydoo
The Tri-Nations should be scrapped in World Cup years because all we are doing is setting an early standard that the other two teams can then aspire too and use to their advantages. The ABs set standards and then get beaten by teams that use these regimes to usurp us. The ABs don't choke at the world cup, teams use our methods to beat us.
Bruce
My opinion is that the Tri-Nations should be a Southern Hemisphere five nations whereby South Africa, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia and a combined Pacific Island side play each other once a year, irrespective of whether the World up is being played or not. Other games outside of the Southern Hemisphere 5N could be scheduled outside of the competition such as for Mandela Shield or Bledisloe Cup matches. Funnily enough there is none of this talk in the Northern Hemisphere in regards to the six-nations being scrapped.
Harry L (Waitakere City)
I know this is slightly off-topic, but it's a comment that I've wanted to vent for a couple of weeks and this seems a good enough place to do it. The onfield commercialism of the Tri-Nations is appalling. I find it hard to concentrate on the game with the huge amount of advertisements spray painted on the playing field. For me it lessens my enjoyment of the game. Richie McCaw was onfield for about five second before being tackled in the middle of one and came up with green paint across his face and jersy. I can't wait for the World Cup when the stadiums willl be clean of advertising.
P (Auckland)
Gee, anyone would think the All Blacks have no chance unless the only games they play this year are for the World Cup. Rugby should be about building form by playing all the usual games. The previous World Cup winners have done it why can't the All Blacks? Stop ruining Rugby and play each game with the same level of determination and with the same team like everyone has done before 2007!
Gee
I feel the Tri Nations has always been a great rugby spectacle. At present, too much focus has been placed on winning the World Cup. Sure, every country is trying their best to plan for it, but at what cost? I don't think that any other World Cup has had so much B-grade test matches prior to the WC kick off. Lets face it, if we start scrapping the Tri Nations, subjected to watching B-grade tests and 10-20 top line players being rested during a World Cup year, then we may as well just tune in for the World Cup games. The Tri-Nations have and will always be the competition who decides Southern Hemisphere rugby supremacy. Go All Blacks.
Arron
Definitely don't scrap the Tri-Nations in World Cup year. It is the hardest competition in the world, even harder to win than the World Cup. It is ideal preparation, now the ABs know where their weaknesses are (its no secret, the backline) and they can work on improving this so it won't be an issue in 2 months time.
Maori dog Mike
Ditch the Tri-Nations full-stop, but have regular (3 test) tours with South Africa - say every even (non World Cup) year. We can use the 'rotation' policy against provincial sides to develop combinations, etc. Play Aussie for the Bledisloe Cup every year, but only as one-off tests. In (non-World Cup) odd years it could be a three-test series, but the last test is for the Bledisloe Cup - so even if the test series is lost the Bledisloe is still up for grabs. In World Cup years play two or three 'All-Black trials', where Graham Henry (or his replacement) can get to pit the likes of Oliver against Mealamu, MacAlister against Mauger, Smith against Toeava, Evans versus Carter - now that would be much more interesting and relevant.
