All Blacks' Will Jordan, right, is congratulated by teammates after scoring his second try against Argentina. Photo / AP
All Blacks' Will Jordan, right, is congratulated by teammates after scoring his second try against Argentina. Photo / AP
The All Blacks have effectively clinched the Tri Nations title thanks to their bonus-point victory over Argentina at Newcastle on Saturday night – barring a miracle in the final game of the tournament between the Pumas and the Wallabies.
Ian Foster's men, under intense pressure after two successive defeats, got revenge against the Pumas with a dominant 38-0 win in their final test of the year.
It leaves the All Blacks five points clear at the top of Tri Nations ladder, with two wins and two losses, leaving Argentina and Australia with a monumental task if they are to claim the trophy.
However, there is still technically a mathematical chance, albeit a highly unlikely one, that both Argentina and Australia could still win the Tri Nations from New Zealand.
The All Blacks' vastly superior points differential – thanks to two thrashings in their only two wins of the competition – along with three crucial bonus points, means they're sitting pretty at the top of the table with 11 points and a massive point differential of 64.
Both Argentina and Australia are on six competition points in the ladder with negative point differentials.
All Blacks' Will Jordan, right, is congratulated by teammates after scoring his second try against Argentina. Photo / AP
Under the competition rules outlined by Tri Nations organisers Sanzaar, the first tiebreaker if two or more teams finish on equal competition points is determined by the team with the most wins in the series.
If the first tiebreaker doesn't provide a clear winner, the table is determined by the team with the most wins against the other team/s tied on the same points.
The third tiebreaker, and the one that will ultimately matter at the end of this year's competition, is points differential.
Both Argentina and Australia have only one loss so far, but haven't scored any bonus points in each of their first three games.
So even a bonus-point victory for either team in the final match of the competition may not be enough for both Argentina and Australia.
In fact, Argentina will require a 93-point margin of victory over the Wallabies, while Australia will need a 101-point margin of victory, meaning the All Blacks have all but secured the second trophy of the Foster era.
The Pumas take on the Wallabies on Saturday at 9.45pm.
The All Blacks' first two Bledisloe Cup tests of the year against the Wallabies – a draw in Wellington and a win in Auckland – were not part of the Tri Nations and have no bearing in the standings.
The Tri Nations ladder
Tri Nations ladder.
Tri Nations and Rugby Championship tiebreaker rules
Points are awarded in all matches on the following basis:
Win: 4 points Draw: 2 points Loss: 0 points for loss of more than 7 points Bonus: 1 point for 3 tries or more than opponent Bonus: 1 point for loss within 7 points or less
Position on the competition table is determined by competition points as set out above:
1. In the event of two or more teams being equal on competition points for any position on the competition table such position shall be determined by the team with the most wins in the series.
2. In the event of (a) above not providing a decision, the position on the competition table will be determined by the team with the most wins against the other team/s tied on the same points.
3. In the event of (b) above not providing a decision, the position on the competition table will be determined on the margin of points scored for and against in the series. The team with the highest margin of points scored for and against being considered as the winner.
4. In the event of (c) above not providing a decision, the position on the competition table will be determined on the margin of points scored for and against by those competing teams. The team with the highest margin of points scored for and against being considered as the winner.
5. In the event of (d) above not providing a decision, the position on the competition table will be determined on the basis of the team scoring most tries in the series.
6. In the event of (e) above not providing a decision, the Series shall be shared between the two teams.
Biggest defeats in rugby history
Argentina or Australia will require a historic win to steal the Tri Nations from the All Blacks.
