The Tri Nations tournament is second only to the Rugby World Cup in terms of excitement, glamour, class, importance, quality of rugby, and not to mention sheer public hype. Riding on the immense success of the Southern Hemisphere teams against the May/June Northern Hemisphere touring sides, the 2008 tournament could be one of the most interesting yet held. Furthermore, with a number of Experimental Law Variations (ELV’s) being implemented in this year’s competition, the quality of rugby could pave the way for the ELV’s to be set in international rugby concrete.
Despite South Africa having won the 2007 Rugby World Cup, New Zealand remains the team-to-beat. The only significant change to the All Blacks line-up this year is the new and improved centre combination of Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, and significant it is.
Ma’a Nonu’s inclusion in the starting line-up at inside centre was scarcely surprising following an outstanding string of impressive Super 14 appearances. Nonu’s gigantic frame and outstanding pace have always made him a solid choice for centre, however in his previous All Black appearances his hands and passing let him down. Now that someone’s taught him how to catch and pass the ball, he is unstoppable. With the build of an NFL linebacker, the pace of a 100 metre sprinter, and his new-found ball skills, Nonu could prove to be the most impressive weapon in the All Blacks extensive arsenal.
Conrad Smith remains solid at outside centre, both on offense and defense. The remarkable Daniel Carter’s influence on the game will ensure security for New Zealand come-what-may, and Andy Ellis has proven himself at half-back, despite his relative inexperience at international level. Finally, the All Blacks’ tight five has dominated the scrums against the Northern Hemisphere teams, and currently looks to be the strongest of the Tri Nations team, posing a problem for South Africa in particular.
The only problem the All Blacks may encounter is the loss of their captain Richie McCaw to injury. While they will continue to compete at the breakdown, the new captain Rodney So’lialo will struggle to be as competent in his decision-making as McCaw.
It is always difficult, not to mention dangerous, to label a Tri Nations team as weak. However, despite being current World Champions and having recently mangled Wales (the current Six-Nations Champions), South Africa could prove to be the weakest of the three teams. Their front row especially buckled against both Wales and Italy, and their weight at the scrums could prove the decider.
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