2004 Tri Nations Series

May 2011 April 2021 2004 Tri Nations Series Official logo South Africa 2 NZL RSA 6 32 313029 2003 2005 1 The 2004 Tri Nations Series, an annual rugby union competition between the national teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, was the ninth in the series. The competition is organised by SANZAR, a consortium of the three countries' rugby union federations. The series was contested in its original double round-robin format, with each team playing the others twice. South Africa won the first ever Freedom Cup in a one-off home test against New Zealand. New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup against Australia. Synopsis South Africa continued to nurture and develop its rich vein of talent during the Tri-Nations, a competition in which South Africa had not been competitive in three years. However, things were to be different this time as the Boks ploughed their way into the opposition, most notably with a herculean backline display that gave South Africa 10 of its glut of 13 tries in four Tri-Nations matches, as opposed to the All Blacks' much vaunted and feared backline's display of 4 in four games. South Africa's improved displays made for the tightest competition so far in the history of the Tri-Nations. The Boks opener against the All Blacks was a thriller with Boks 'rush' defence rattling the Kiwis 'flat' attack to its core. After 80 minutes the Boks were ahead before a thrilling attack from the All Blacks claimed a last second try to win the game, courtesy of Doug Howlett. However, the Boks could take a lot out of this game and approached the Wallabies with a spring in their step. The Wallabies too caused South Africa heartache as ex South African under 21s captain Clyde Rathbone snatched the winner for the Aussies with minutes to go. As the series shifted to South Africa, the Boks needed to beat the All Blacks in order to keep their hopes of a Tri-Nations title, a first since 1998, alive. They did so with vigour as they brushed aside the All Blacks with disdain, providing the authoritative finishing and poise which was lacking to a degree in the first game between the Southern rivals. The only area of the game in which New Zealand competed well was the scoreboard. After going 10–0 down early on South Africa went into the second half ahead, again. However, unlike the first game South Africa provided what they sought out to do with a strong second half display, as they pulled away from the All Blacks, 5 tries to 2. Bok centre Marius Joubert equalled an SA record for the most tries against the All Blacks in the process with a hat trick of tries. This set up a winner-take-all battle against the Wallabies in Durban. The Boks fell behind 7–3 in a tightly played first half. In the second, they scored tries from forwards Victor Matfield and Joe van Niekerk. While the Wallabies got more tries (three), the difference proved to be the boot of fullback Percy Montgomery, who converted both Boks tries and kicked three penalties to give the Boks a 23–19 win and the Tri-Nations trophy. While the Boks had many heroes in their run through the Tri-Nations, perhaps the greatest was Schalk Burger, who more than lived up to his enormous promise and established himself as arguably the top flanker in the world. Aftermath New Zealand The 2004 Tri-Nations was a disappointing start to the tenures of the new All Blacks coaching staff. Many blamed New Zealand's failure in this tournament to a reliance on the so-called 'flat backline', and as backs coach Wayne Smith drew the brunt of the criticism. The All Black careers of ageing stars Carlos Spencer and Andrew Merhtens were effectively ended by a series of poor performances, and on the end of year tour to Europe Dan Carter emerged as the new first choice All Blacks first-five eighth. South Africa In this tournament, the Springboks definitively reemerged as a force in the professional era of rugby union. Going into the Tri Nations, South Africa rugby was in turmoil, best exemplified by the debacle of the 2003 World Cup and the scandal of Kamp Staaldraad. With the emergence of Schalk Burger, Jean de Villiers and Marius Joubert as major stars, the Boks used this momentum to become the 2004 IRB Team of the Year. South Africa would sweep the major IRB awards, as Burger earned IRB Player of the Year honours and coach Jake White was named IRB Coach of the Year. Format As in past competitions, points were earned on the following schedule: 4 points for a win 2 points for a draw 0 points for a loss 1 bonus point for scoring 4 tries or more, (win, lose, or draw) 1 bonus point for a loss by 7 points or less Table NationGamesPointsBonuspointsTablepointsPlayedWonDrawnLostForAgainstDifferenceRSA420211098+12311AUS42027983−4210NZL42028391−819 Results Round 1 17 July 2004 19:35 NZST (UTC+12) NZL 16–7 AUS Howlett Carter Carter (3) Mortlock Giteau Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington 38,000New Zealand 16 - 7 Australia http://en.espn.co.uk/tri-nations-2008/rugby/match/24744.html ESPN.com en Alain Rolland (Ireland) FB 15Mils MuliainaRW 14Doug HowlettOC 13Tana Umaga (c)IC 12Dan CarterLW 11Joe RokocokoFH 10Carlos SpencerSH 9 Justin MarshallN8 8 Xavier RushOF 7 Marty Holah BF 6 Jono GibbesRL 5 Simon MalingLL 4 Chris JackTP 3 Carl HaymanHK 2 Keven MealamuLP 1 Kees MeeuwsReplacements:HK 16Andrew HorePR 17Greg SomervilleFL 18Jerry CollinsFL 19Craig NewbySH 20Byron KelleherFH 21Nick EvansCE 22Sam TuitupouCoach: NZL Graham Henry FB 15Chris LathamRW 14Clyde RathboneOC 13Stirling MortlockIC 12Matt GiteauLW 11Lote TuqiriFH 10Stephen LarkhamSH 9 Chris WhitakerN8 8 David LyonsOF 7 Phil WaughBF 6 Radike SamoRL 5 Nathan Sharpe (c)LL 4 Justin HarrisonTP 3 Al BaxterHK 2 Brendan CannonLP 1 Bill YoungReplacements:HK 16Jeremy PaulPR 17Matt DunningLK 18Dan VickermanFL 19George SmithSH 20Matt HenjakFB 21Matt BurkeWG 22Wendell SailorCoach:AUS Eddie Jones Round 2 24 July 2004 19:35 NZST (UTC+12) NZL 23–21 RSA (1 BP) Howlett Carter (5)Carlos Spencer De VilliersCronjédu Preez Montgomery (3) Lancaster Park, Christchurch 34,000New Zealand 23 - 21 South Africa http://en.espn.co.uk/tri-nations-2008/rugby/match/24746.html ESPN.com en Andrew Cole (Australia) FB 15Mils MuliainaRW 14Doug HowlettOC 13Tana Umaga (c)IC 12Dan CarterLW 11Joe RokocokoFH 10Carlos SpencerSH 9 Justin MarshallN8 8 Xavier RushOF 7 Marty Holah BF 6 Jerry CollinsRL 5 Simon MalingLL 4 Chris JackTP 3 Greg SomervilleHK 2 Keven MealamuLP 1 Kees MeeuwsReplacements:HK 16Andrew HorePR 17Tony WoodcockLK 18Ali WilliamsFL 19Craig NewbySH 20Byron KelleherCE 21Sam TuitupouFH 22Nick EvansCoach: NZL Graham Henry FB 15Percy MontgomeryRW 14Breyton PaulseOC 13Marius JoubertIC 12De Wet BarryLW 11Jean de VilliersFH 10Jaco van der WesthuyzenSH 9 Fourie du PreezN8 8 Jacques CronjéBF 7 AJ VenterOF 6 Schalk BurgerRL 5 Albert van den BergLL 4 Bakkies BothaTP 3 Eddie AndrewsHK 2 John Smit (c)LP 1 Os du RandtReplacements:HK 16Danie CoetzeePR 17Faan RautenbachLK 18Quinton DavidsN8 19Joe van NiekerkSH 20Bolla ConradieFH 21Gaffie du ToitWG 22Brent RussellCoach:RSA Jake White Round 3 31 July 2004 18:00 AWST (UTC+08) (1 BP) AUS 30–26 RSA (1 BP) TuqiriLarkhamLathamRathbone GiteauBurke Giteau (2) Van der WesthuyzenDe VilliersDu Toit Montgomery Montgomery (3) Subiaco Oval, Perth 42,507Australia 30 - 26 South Africa http://en.espn.co.uk/tri-nations-2008/rugby/match/24748.html ESPN.com en Chris White (England) FB 15Chris LathamRW 14Clyde RathboneOC 13Stirling MortlockIC 12Matt GiteauLW 11Lote TuqiriFH 10Stephen LarkhamSH 9 George Gregan (c)N8 8 David LyonsOF 7 Phil WaughBF 6 George SmithRL 5 Nathan SharpeLL 4 Justin HarrisonTP 3 Al BaxterHK 2 Jeremy PaulLP 1 Bill YoungReplacements:HK 16Adam FreierPR 17Matt DunningLK 18Dan VickermanN8 19John RoeSH 20Chris WhitakerFB 21Matt BurkeWG 22Wendell SailorCoach:AUS Eddie Jones FB 15Percy MontgomeryRW 14Breyton PaulseOC 13Marius JoubertIC 12De Wet BarryLW 11Jean de VilliersFH 10Jaco van der WesthuyzenSH 9 Fourie du PreezN8 8 Jacques CronjéBF 7 AJ VenterOF 6 Schalk BurgerRL 5 Gerrie BritzLL 4 Bakkies BothaTP 3 Eddie AndrewsHK 2 John Smit (c)LP 1 Os du RandtReplacements:HK 16Hanyani ShimangePR 17CJ van der LindeLK 18Albert van den BergN8 19Joe van NiekerkSH 20Bolla ConradieFH 21Gaffie du ToitWG 22Brent RussellCoach:RSA Jake White Round 4 7 August 2004 20:00 AEST (UTC+10) AUS 23–18 NZL (1 BP) Tuqiri Burke (2)Giteau (4) Carter (4)SpencerMehrtens Stadium Australia, Sydney 83,418Australia 23 - 18 New Zealand http://en.espn.co.uk/tri-nations-2008/rugby/match/24750.html ESPN.com en Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) FB 15Chris LathamRW 14Clyde RathboneOC 13Stirling MortlockIC 12Matt GiteauLW 11Lote TuqiriFH 10Stephen LarkhamSH 9 George Gregan (c)N8 8 David LyonsOF 7 Phil WaughBF 6 George SmithRL 5 Nathan SharpeLL 4 Justin HarrisonTP 3 Al BaxterHK 2 Brendan CannonLP 1 Bill YoungReplacements:HK 16Jeremy PaulPR 17Matt DunningLK 18Dan VickermanN8 19John RoeSH 20Chris WhitakerFB 21Matt BurkeWG 22Wendell SailorCoach:AUS Eddie Jones FB 15Mils MuliainaRW 14Doug HowlettOC 13Tana Umaga (c)IC 12Dan CarterLW 11Joe RokocokoFH 10Carlos SpencerSH 9 Justin MarshallN8 8 Xavier RushOF 7 Marty Holah BF 6 Jono GibbesRL 5 Ali WilliamsLL 4 Chris JackTP 3 Carl HaymanHK 2 Keven MealamuLP 1 Kees MeeuwsReplacements:HK 16Andrew HorePR 17Greg SomervilleFL 18Mose Tuiali'iFL 19Craig NewbySH 20Byron KelleherFH 21Andrew MehrtensCE 22Sam TuitupouCoach: NZL Graham Henry Round 5 14 August 2004 15:00 SAST (UTC+02) (1 BP) RSA 40–26 NZL Joubert (3)PaulseDe Villiers Montgomery (3) Montgomery (3) MuliainaRokocoko Mehrtens (2) Mehrtens (4) Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg 62,857South Africa 40 - 26 New Zealand http://en.espn.co.uk/tri-nations-2008/rugby/match/24751.html ESPN.com en Nigel Williams (Wales)Replaced by Donal Courtney (Ireland) "nb" FB 15Percy MontgomeryRW 14Breyton PaulseOC 13Marius JoubertIC 12De Wet BarryLW 11Jean de VilliersFH 10Jaco van der WesthuyzenSH 9 Bolla ConradieN8 8 Joe van NiekerkBF 7 Gerrie BritzOF 6 Schalk BurgerRL 5 Victor MatfieldLL 4 Bakkies BothaTP 3 Eddie AndrewsHK 2 John Smit (c)LP 1 Os du RandtReplacements:HK 16Hanyani ShimangePR 17CJ van der LindeLK 18AJ VenterN8 19Jacques CronjéSH 20Fourie du PreezFH 21Gaffie du ToitWG 22Brent RussellCoach:RSA Jake White FB 15Mils MuliainaRW 14Doug HowlettOC 13Tana Umaga (c)IC 12Sam TuitupouLW 11Joe RokocokoFH 10Andrew MehrtensSH 9 Justin MarshallN8 8 Xavier RushOF 7 Marty Holah BF 6 Jono GibbesRL 5 Simon MalingLL 4 Chris JackTP 3 Carl HaymanHK 2 Keven MealamuLP 1 Kees MeeuwsReplacements:HK 16Andrew HorePR 17Greg SomervilleFL 18Mose Tuiali'iFL 19Craig NewbySH 20Byron KelleherFH 21Nick EvansCE 22Aaron MaugerCoach: NZL Graham Henry Round 6 21 August 2004 15:00 SAST (UTC+02) RSA 23–19 AUS (1 BP) MatfieldVan Niekerk Montgomery (2) Montgomery (3) TuqiriMortlockSmith Giteau (2) Kings Park Stadium, Durban 52,247South Africa 23 - 19 Australia http://en.espn.co.uk/tri-nations-2008/rugby/match/24754.html ESPN.com en Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand) FB 15Percy MontgomeryRW 14Breyton PaulseOC 13Marius JoubertIC 12De Wet BarryLW 11Jean de VilliersFH 10Jaco van der WesthuyzenSH 9 Bolla ConradieN8 8 Joe van NiekerkBF 7 AJ VenterOF 6 Schalk BurgerRL 5 Victor MatfieldLL 4 Bakkies BothaTP 3 Eddie AndrewsHK 2 John Smit (c)LP 1 Os du RandtReplacements:HK 16Hanyani ShimangePR 17CJ van der LindeLK 18Gerrie BritzN8 19Jacques CronjéSH 20Fourie du PreezFH 21Gaffie du ToitWG 22Brent RussellCoach:RSA Jake White FB 15Chris LathamRW 14Clyde RathboneOC 13Stirling MortlockIC 12Matt GiteauLW 11Lote TuqiriFH 10Stephen LarkhamSH 9 George Gregan (c)N8 8 David LyonsOF 7 Phil WaughBF 6 George SmithRL 5 Justin HarrisonLL 4 Nathan SharpeTP 3 Al BaxterHK 2 Brendan CannonLP 1 Bill YoungReplacements:HK 16Jeremy PaulPR 17Matt DunningLK 18Dan VickermanN8 19John RoeSH 20Chris WhitakerFB 21Matt BurkeWG 22Wendell SailorCoach:AUS Eddie Jones Scorers 80% +Leading try scorers Pos Name Tries Pld Team 1 Jean de Villiers 3 4 RSA Marius Joubert 3 4 RSA 3 Lote Tuqiri 3 4 AUS +Leading point scorers Pos Name Points Pld Team 1 Percy Montgomery 45 4 RSA 2 Dan Carter 38 3 NZL 3 Matt Giteau 26 4 AUS Notes "nb" References External links Tri Nations at Rugby.com.au Category:The Rugby Championship Tri Tri Tri Nations Series Tri