KEY POINTS:
- Now we've had a good look at all the teams, who will win the Tri-Nations?
The Tri-Nations kicked off for 2007 in the weekend with the Spring Boks' 22-19 win over the Wallabies. This weekend it's the turn of the All Blacks to take on the Boks.
It's a crucial year for all three teams in the run-up to the Rugby World Cup. Who do you think will win this year's Tri-Nations?
Here is the latest selection of Your Views:
Bruce
I think the Tri-nations will be decided on point differential this year with the teams winning at home, and losing away. I'm backing the 'boks to take it out, followed by the Wallabies then us. Interestingly enough South Africa and Australia are on course to meet in the World Cup final (We've never got past Australia in a play-off game at the World Cup, and I'm not picking anything to change in that regard this time around either), which was why the opening game was very fascinating to watch. Nothing between the two sides. If Australia can get a better differential at home that might see them sneak a third Tri-nation title, otherwise it'll be a third title for the South Africans.
Rich from Deep South
I'll go with Eddie (Eddie Jones) on this one (Tri-Nations). The A.B's are probably a month or two away from peaking. So we shouldn't expect or want to see them playing their best right now.So all is going according to plan. The Old Foe are cock-a-hoop at the mo but after watching their effort on the weekend against an over the hill Aussie outfit, the Boks reverted to type for 80% of the match i.e, Try and bash them up front. The Yarpeez will be up for this weeks match against the A.B's, as they always are... All Blacks by 5 to 10 but it really doesn't matter now does it.(We want Bill)
Hermanator
The Saffa's will need more than muscle and dropped goals to beat the AB's- Another titanic battle up ahead but the MIB should prevail- we are nowhere near reaching our potential, let's begin with the Boks. All blacks to win by 8 this week and also Bag the Tri Nations for 2007 as well.
Arron
The Japies haven't looked anything special this year. They are basically a 10-man team obsessed with kicking, attempting drop-goals on their own side of half-way. But the All Black backs seem to always panic when faced with rush-defence, usually lose their bottle after being tackled behind the advantage line a couple of times early.
Either way I hope the Japies don't win on drop goals. This is negative rugby and should not be rewarded with 3 points every time (why can't the IRB drop the value of a drop goal to 1 point?). If we can dominate up front early the AB's should cut lose in the 2nd half and win easily.
Chris
I doubt the ABs will win the Tri-Nations and to be honest I doubt anyone will really care who wins this years Tri-Nations as it is meaningless with the World Cup this year
The first half against Canada was the worst 40 minutes of football the All Blacks have played in many a year. It's obvious the squad won't be at their peak until a couple of months after the Tri-Nations. If the ABs play like that against the Boks or the Wallabies then they will beat us. A lot of work still to do for the ABs.
Fili (Sydney)
Well, I thought the Springboks had raised the bar but I knew the typical Wallabies' mental toughness and determination were capable of socking it to them and they almost did.
And for that, without being too biased but it brings me back to All Blacks confidence, considering the other two teams were virtually at full strength for the opener, meaning our boyz' will continue to dominate proceedings and there is no better start than at the most difficult venue of all - anywhere in South Africa. Then on to another titanic battle at Melbourne before finishing off at home. We may not repeat similar score lines parallel to '03 when 50 points were posted on these arch enemies in consecutive weeks, but I believe the All Blacks will get the job done - mark my words.
Trevor
I believe that the AB's have what it takes to win this Tri Nations. Granted, their performances to date this year have not been outstanding, but then they haven't had to pull out all the stops. The Wallabies surprised with their defence against the Boks, however, with the exception of Giteau, they are lacking class and true attack and are relying too much on the likes of Larkham and Gregan who are showing their age and lack of pace. The Boks are playing their old game of forward dominance, but had to rely on the boot of a late comer to see them home against the Wallabies who are looking dismal, albeit played their best game of the season. The AB's are of course missing some key players, especially in the locks, however we have the depth to succeed. Whatever the outcome, we should see some great rugby over the next few weeks, then look forward to the RWC.
Paul (Auckland)
The ABs will win the Tri Nations. In fact, if they do as I think they will and thrash the Springboks by 20 points plus in Durban this weekend, it will be a huge psychological blow ahead of the WC. Australia will be better than everyone thinks this year. All Blacks have the ability to find gaps and finish tries unlike the Boks and Wallabies who struggle to complete the job when they are at the other end. The ABs may drop one match ahead of the World Cup, but when they need to they can and will beat any other rugby team. Despite the generally ridiculously negative and overly critical New Zealand public and media who dissect every ABs match and are loathe to give them any praise - the ABs will prevail this year and the victory will be the sweetest ever. The ABs winning the Tri Nations and then the WC in October will give the NZRU power to force the IRB into some big changes; namely the new Stellenbosch Rules which are desperately needed and will restore the spectacle of the game, and a rethink of the number of test matches and when they are played.
