Jones fancies Wallabies' title chances

SYDNEY - Wallabies rugby coach Eddie Jones is confident of his side's chances of winning back the Tri-Nations trophy after the win over defending champions New Zealand.

"We've got ourselves in the best position possible after losing the first Tri-Nations game," said Jones yesterday.

"We can go to Durban [to play South Africa on August 21] with a fair bit of confidence knowing we'll have a chance of winning the Tri-Nations. It's a good position to be in."

The All Blacks' last Tri-Nations match is against the Springboks in Johannesburg on Sunday morning.

New Zealand and Australia are on nine points with South Africa on two, but all three teams are still in contention for the title.

Australia beat South Africa 30-26 in Perth on July 31 but have not beaten the Springboks in South Africa since 2000, when they won 19-18 in Durban.

"While home-ground advantage has been there so far, the next two games might go against that trend," Jones said.

"South Africa, with those two home games, will be hard to beat, but in Jo'burg New Zealand traditionally play well ...

"If we have any positive history in South Africa it's in Durban."

- REUTERS