PROFILBARU.COM

2007 Tri Nations Series
Date	16 June – 21 July
Final positions
Champions	New Zealand (8th title)
Bledisloe Cup	New Zealand
Freedom Cup	New Zealand
Mandela Challenge Plate	Australia
Tournament statistics
Matches played	6
Tries scored	19 (3.17 per match)
Attendance	310,998 (51,833 per match)
Top scorer(s)	Dan Carter (62)
Most tries	Tony Woodcock (2); Matt Giteau (2)
	← 2006 2008 →

The 2007 Tri Nations Series was an annual rugby union competition between the national teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The series began in South Africa on 16 June, with a Test between South Africa and Australia at Newlands, Cape Town and ended on 21 July in Eden Park, Auckland with a Test between New Zealand and Australia. The winners, for the third consecutive year, were New Zealand.

The 2007 series consisted of six matches (two home matches each), three fewer than the 2006 series, because of the 2007 Rugby World Cup which would commence on 7 September. The draw was scheduled to ensure that no team played more than two matches in a row, the early finish allowing each team seven full weeks before the start of the World Cup.

The competition reverted to a nine-Test series from 2008 onwards.^[1] Early in 2007, it was thought that there was a chance that Argentina could be admitted to the competition as early as 2008, as it had been reported that the worldwide governing body for rugby union, the International Rugby Board, was brokering a deal for the entry of the Pumas.^[2] However, by August of that year, it became clear that the competition would not be expanded while the current media contracts ran; the key contract with News Corporation would not expire until 2010.^[3]

The tournament had been put into jeopardy after the Springboks team confirmed they were sending a below strength side for the Australasian leg of the tournament.^[4]

Springbok selection controversy

New Zealand and Australian rugby officials considered on the news of the below strength Springbok team, that they might consider scrapping their remaining fixtures against South Africa but cited that because of many arrangements including broadcasting, stadium and ticket arrangements that it might be too complicated.^[5] The ARU also retracted proposals to continue the series without the Springboks after SARU sent a medical report, citing a sport scientist saying "they (the Springboks) might as well not bother going to the World Cup" if they send top injured players to the remaining games.^[6] The match turned out to be much more competitive than many observers had predicted, with South Africa storming to a 17–0 lead in the first 16 minutes before the Wallabies regained their composure to eventually overrun the Boks 25–17.

Standings

Place	Nation	Games				Points			Bonus points	Table points
Place	Nation	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Difference	Bonus points	Table points
1	New Zealand	4	3	0	1	100	59	+41	1	13
2	Australia	4	2	0	2	76	80	−4	1	9
3	South Africa	4	1	0	3	66	103	−37	1	5

Results

All times are local.

Week 1

16 June 2007
15:00 SAST (UTC+02)

South Africa	22–19	Australia (1 BP)
Try: Fourie 15' c Con: Montgomery (1/1) Pen: Montgomery (3/3) 3', 45', 53' Drop: Steyn (2/2) 74', 77'		Try: Giteau 31' c Con: Mortlock (1/1) Pen: Mortlock (4/4) 13', 29', 36', 44'

Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
Attendance: 48,416
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)


FB	15	Percy Montgomery
RW	14	Ashwin Willemse	60'
OC	13	Jaque Fourie
IC	12	Jean de Villiers
LW	11	JP Pietersen
FH	10	Butch James
SH	9	Ruan Pienaar
N8	8	Pierre Spies
OF	7	Juan Smith	54'
BF	6	Schalk Burger
RL	5	Victor Matfield
LL	4	Bakkies Botha	63'
TP	3	BJ Botha	60'	67'
HK	2	John Smit (c)	10'
LP	1	Gurthro Steenkamp		67'
Substitutions:
HK	16	Gary Botha	10'
PR	17	CJ van der Linde	60'
LK	18	Johann Muller	63'
N8	19	Danie Rossouw	54'
SH	20	Michael Claassens
CE	21	Wynand Olivier
FB	22	François Steyn	60'
Coach:
Jake White


FB	15	Julian Huxley
RW	14	Drew Mitchell
OC	13	Stirling Mortlock (c)	79'
IC	12	Matt Giteau
LW	11	Lote Tuqiri
FH	10	Stephen Larkham
SH	9	George Gregan
N8	8	Wycliff Palu	79'
OF	7	George Smith	57'
BF	6	Rocky Elsom	57'
RL	5	Daniel Vickerman
LL	4	Nathan Sharpe
TP	3	Guy Shepherdson
HK	2	Stephen Moore	63'
LP	1	Matt Dunning
Substitutions:
HK	16	Adam Freier	63'
PR	17	Al Baxter
LK	18	Mark Chisholm	57'
FL	19	Stephen Hoiles	79'
FL	20	Phil Waugh	57'
CE	21	Adam Ashley-Cooper
WG	22	Mark Gerrard	79'
Coach:
John Connolly

Week 2

23 June 2007
15:00 SAST (UTC+02)

(1 BP) South Africa	21–26	New Zealand
Try: Burger 40' c James 44' c Con: Montgomery (1/2) Pen: Montgomery (2/2) 5', 66' Pienaar (1/1) 19'		Try: McCaw 69' c Rokocoko 71' c Con: Carter (2/2) Pen: Carter (3/3) 31', 38', 55' Drop: Mauger (1/1) 42'

Kings Park Stadium, Durban
Attendance: 51,861
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)


FB	15	Percy Montgomery
RW	14	Ashwin Willemse	65'
OC	13	Jaque Fourie
IC	12	Jean de Villiers
LW	11	JP Pietersen
FH	10	Butch James	52'
SH	9	Ruan Pienaar
N8	8	Bobby Skinstad	52'
OF	7	Danie Rossouw
BF	6	Schalk Burger
RL	5	Victor Matfield (c)
LL	4	Bakkies Botha	65'
TP	3	BJ Botha
HK	2	Gary Botha
LP	1	Os du Randt	53'
Substitutions:
HK	16	Bismarck du Plessis
PR	17	CJ van der Linde	53'
LK	18	Johann Muller	65'
N8	19	Pedrie Wannenburg	52'
SH	20	Michael Claassens
FH	21	Wynand Olivier	65'
CE	22	François Steyn	52'
Coach:
Jake White


FB	15	Mils Muliaina	70'
RW	14	Joe Rokocoko
OC	13	Isaia Toeava
IC	12	Aaron Mauger	66'
LW	11	Sitiveni Sivivatu
FH	10	Dan Carter
SH	9	Byron Kelleher	70'
N8	8	Rodney So'oialo
OF	7	Richie McCaw (c)
BF	6	Jerry Collins
RL	5	Greg Rawlinson	48'
LL	4	Troy Flavell
TP	3	Carl Hayman
HK	2	Anton Oliver	51'
LP	1	Tony Woodcock
Substitutions:
HK	16	Keven Mealamu	51'
PR	17	Neemia Tialata
LK	18	Ross Filipo	48'
FL	19	Chris Masoe
SH	20	Piri Weepu	70'
CE	21	Luke McAlister	66'
FB	22	Leon MacDonald	70'
Coach:
Graham Henry

Week 3

30 June 2007
20:00 AEST (UTC+10)

Australia	20–15	New Zealand (1 BP)
Try: Ashley-Cooper 64' c Staniforth 71' c Con: Giteau (2/2) Pen: Mortlock (2) 14', 19'		Try: Woodcock 3' c Gear 26' m Con: Carter (1/2) Pen: Carter 17'

Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Attendance: 79,322
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)


FB	15	Julian Huxley
RW	14	Adam Ashley-Cooper
OC	13	Stirling Mortlock (c)
IC	12	Matt Giteau
LW	11	Lote Tuqiri
FH	10	Stephen Larkham
SH	9	George Gregan	55'
N8	8	Rocky Elsom	70'
OF	7	George Smith	70'
BF	6	Wycliff Palu	40'
RL	5	Daniel Vickerman
LL	4	Nathan Sharpe
TP	3	Guy Shepherdson
HK	2	Stephen Moore	47'
LP	1	Matt Dunning	77'
Substitutions:
HK	16	Adam Freier	47'
PR	17	Al Baxter	77'
FL	18	Mark Chisholm	70'
LK	19	Stephen Hoiles	40'
FL	20	Phil Waugh	70'
FH	21	Scott Staniforth	55'
FB	22	Mark Gerrard
Coach:
John Connolly


FB	15	Mils Muliaina
RW	14	Rico Gear
OC	13	Luke McAlister
IC	12	Aaron Mauger
LW	11	Joe Rokocoko		75'
FH	10	Dan Carter
SH	9	Byron Kelleher		50'
N8	8	Rodney So'oialo		74'
OF	7	Richie McCaw (c)
BF	6	Jerry Collins			65'
RL	5	Troy Flavell		45'
LL	4	Chris Jack
TP	3	Carl Hayman	61' to 71'
HK	2	Anton Oliver		45'
LP	1	Tony Woodcock		45'	65'
Substitutions:
PR	16	Keven Mealamu		45'
PR	17	Neemia Tialata		45'
LK	18	Ross Filipo		45'
FL	19	Chris Masoe		74'
SH	20	Piri Weepu		50'
FH	21	Nick Evans
WG	22	Sitiveni Sivivatu		75'
Coach:
Graham Henry

Week 4

7 July 2007
20:00 AEST (UTC+10)

Australia	25–17	South Africa
Try: Gerrard 22' c Hoiles 42' c Giteau 55' m Con: Mortlock (2/3) Pen: Mortlock (2/2)		Try: van Heerden 6' c Paulse 8' c Con: Hougaard (2/2) Pen: Hougaard 16' (1/3)

Stadium Australia, Sydney
Attendance: 51,174
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)


FB	15	Julian Huxley
RW	14	Mark Gerrard
OC	13	Stirling Mortlock (c)
IC	12	Matt Giteau	78'
LW	11	Adam Ashley-Cooper	78'
FH	10	Stephen Larkham
SH	9	George Gregan
N8	8	Stephen Hoiles	64'
OF	7	George Smith	71'
BF	6	Rocky Elsom	60'
RL	5	Daniel Vickerman
LL	4	Nathan Sharpe
TP	3	Guy Shepherdson	58'
HK	2	Adam Freier	20'	34'	64'
LP	1	Matt Dunning	73'
Substitutions:
HK	16	Sean Hardman	20'	34'	64'
PR	17	Al Baxter	58'
LK	18	Hugh McMeniman	60'
FL	19	David Lyons	64'
FL	20	Phil Waugh	71'
FH	21	Scott Staniforth	78'
FB	22	Drew Mitchell	78'
Coach:
John Connolly


FB	15	Bevin Fortuin		73'
RW	14	Breyton Paulse
OC	13	Waylon Murray
IC	12	Wynand Olivier
LW	11	JP Pietersen
FH	10	Derick Hougaard		73'
SH	9	Ruan Pienaar
N8	8	Bobby Skinstad (c)				62'
OF	7	Pedrie Wannenburg		49'
BF	6	Wikus van Heerden
RL	5	Johann Muller
LL	4	Johan Ackerman		29'
TP	3	Jannie du Plessis		73'
HK	2	Gary Botha	58' to 68'
LP	1	CJ van der Linde
Substitutions:
PR	16	Bismarck du Plessis			58'
PR	17	Eddie Andrews		73'
LK	18	Albert van den Berg		29'
FL	19	Jacques Cronjé		49'	58'	62'
SH	20	Michael Claassens		73'
FH	21	Peter Grant		73'
CE	22	Jaco Pretorius
Coach:
Jack White

Week 5

14 July 2007
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)

New Zealand	33–6	South Africa
Try: Leonard 69' c Evans 76' c Carter 80' c Con: Carter (3) Pen: Carter (4)		Pen: Hougaard (2)

Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Attendance: 33,708
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)


FB	15	Mils Muliaina
RW	14	Doug Howlett	74'
OC	13	Isaia Toeava	78'
IC	12	Luke McAlister
LW	11	Joe Rokocoko
FH	10	Dan Carter
SH	9	Piri Weepu	54'
N8	8	Rodney So'oialo	74'
OF	7	Richie McCaw (c)
BF	6	Reuben Thorne
RL	5	Keith Robinson	64'
LL	4	Chris Jack
TP	3	Carl Hayman	78'
HK	2	Keven Mealamu	74'
LP	1	Tony Woodcock
Substitutions:
HK	16	Andrew Hore	74'
PR	17	Neemia Tialata	78'
FL	18	Jerry Collins	64'
FL	19	Chris Masoe	74'
SH	20	Brendon Leonard	54'
CE	21	Conrad Smith	78'
FH	22	Nick Evans	74'
Coach:
Graham Henry


FB	15	JP Pietersen
RW	14	Breyton Paulse		78'
OC	13	Waylon Murray
IC	12	Wynand Olivier
LW	11	Jaco Pretorius		74'
FH	10	Derick Hougaard		57'
SH	9	Ruan Pienaar
N8	8	Jacques Cronjé
OF	7	Pedrie Wannenburg	53' to 63'	78'
BF	6	Wikus van Heerden
RL	5	Johann Muller (c)
LL	4	Albert van den Berg		68'
TP	3	Jannie du Plessis
HK	2	Bismarck du Plessis		68'
LP	1	CJ van der Linde		78'
Substitutions:
HK	16	Gary Botha		68'
PR	17	Eddie Andrews		78'
LK	18	Gerrie Britz		68'
FL	19	Hilton Lobberts		78'
SH	20	Michael Claassens		78'
FH	21	Peter Grant		57'
WG	22	Tonderai Chavhanga		74'
Coach:
Jake White

Week 6

21 July 2007
19:35 NZST (UTC+12)

New Zealand	26–12	Australia
Try: Woodcock 58' m Pen: Carter (7) 10', 29', 36', 39', 44', 51', 73'		Pen: Mortlock (3) 24', 33', 47' Drop: Giteau 25'

Eden Park, Auckland
Attendance: 45,000
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)


FB	15	Mils Muliaina
RW	14	Doug Howlett
OC	13	Isaia Toeava
IC	12	Luke McAlister
LW	11	Joe Rokocoko
FH	10	Dan Carter
SH	9	Byron Kelleher
N8	8	Rodney So'oialo
OF	7	Richie McCaw (c)
BF	6	Jerry Collins
RL	5	Chris Jack
LL	4	Keith Robinson
TP	3	Carl Hayman
HK	2	Anton Oliver
LP	1	Tony Woodcock
Substitutions:
HK	16	Keven Mealamu
PR	17	Neemia Tialata
LK	18	Reuben Thorne
FL	19	Chris Masoe
SH	20	Brendon Leonard
CE	21	Aaron Mauger
FH	22	Nick Evans
Coach:
Graham Henry


FB	15	Adam Ashley-Cooper
RW	14	Mark Gerrard
OC	13	Stirling Mortlock (c)
IC	12	Matt Giteau
LW	11	Drew Mitchell
FH	10	Stephen Larkham
SH	9	George Gregan
N8	8	Stephen Hoiles
OF	7	George Smith
BF	6	Rocky Elsom
RL	5	Daniel Vickerman
LL	4	Nathan Sharpe
TP	3	Guy Shepherdson
HK	2	Stephen Moore
LP	1	Matt Dunning
Substitutions:
HK	16	Adam Freier
PR	17	Al Baxter
FL	18	Hugh McMeniman
LK	19	Mark Chisholm
FL	20	Phil Waugh
CE	21	Scott Staniforth
FB	22	Chris Latham
Coach:
John Connolly

References

^ "2007 Tri Nations Draw". rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 11 October 2007.
^ Cain, Nick (25 February 2007). "Ambitious Argentina poised to secure TriNations place". The Sunday Times. London. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2007.
^ "Pumas will stay crouched until 2010". RugbyRugby.com. 13 August 2007. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 11 October 2007.
^ Waldburger, Chris (26 June 2007). "South Africa won't back down". Planet Rugby. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 27 June 2007.
^ Linden, Julian (27 June 2007). "Tri Nations in jeopardy". Yahoo!Xtra. Archived from the original on 29 June 2007. Retrieved 27 June 2007.
^ "ARU admit defeat in Bok row". News24. Archived from the original on 29 June 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2007.