Features

Tri-Nations draws to a close

Author: John Harris
Date: 10/09/2009
Rugby Union betting

The Tri-Nations is becoming increasingly intriguing as the climax draws nearer.

Everything is riding on the penultimate game of the tournament in Hamilton, as New Zealand take on South Africa in a do-or-die fixture for the All Blacks.

South Africa tasted defeat for the first time at the hands of Australia in Brisbane last weekend, their sixth win out of six Tests with the Springboks at the Suncorp Stadium.

The win was the Wallabies' first of this year's tournament after a series of near-misses finally came to a halt after tries from Adam Ashley-Cooper and James O'Connor saw the men in Gold race to a 21-6 victory.

The ramifications of the result mean sportsbook favourites South Africa are under slight pressure heading into their final match of the tournament in New Zealand, though they still hold all the aces in the standings.

Will South Africa wrap up the tournament? - Latest Rugby Union Betting

A bonus point would be enough for the Springboks to reaffirm their status as the best team in world rugby, after lifting the World Cup in 2007 and seeing off the best of the Northern hemisphere earlier this summer with a 2-1 Test series victory over a spirited British & Irish Lions side.

The reality dawning on Graham Henry's All Blacks is that it would take two superhuman efforts to snatch glory away from Peter de Villiers and John Smit, as two wins alone would not be enough.

The Kiwis must pick up bonus points in both this and their next Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia and scoring eight tries against two of the meanest defences in world rugby is likely to be a bridge too far for even the likes of Dan Carter and his fearsome backline.

The Test will be intriguing in itself with much being made of the scrummaging ability of Boks captain Smit, with Henry hinting that he may target the ex-hooker in the front row.

But Henry does have a selection problem in midfield, as first choice centres Luke McAlister and Conrad Smith are injured, while Richard Kahui and Tamati Ellison are also ruled out. Expect a reshuffle among the backs come Saturday.

Smit insists that he and his players will bounce back from the disappointment of Brisbane, claiming that the loss has fired up the squad as they prepare to fly across the Tasman and tackle the All Blacks, who they have beaten twice already.

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