The 2009 Tri Nations tournament between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will run from July 18th to September 19th. Each country will play three home and three away fixtures, the winners being crowned rugby union champions of the southern hemisphere.
2009 Tri Nations Fixtures
Kick off Local Time
July 18th - New Zealand v Australia at Eden Park, Auckland - 19.35
July 25th - South Africa v New Zealand at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein - 15.00
Aug 1st - South Africa v New Zealand at ABSA Stadium, Durban - 15.00
Aug 8th - South Africa v Australia at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town - 15.00
Aug 22nd - Australia v New Zealand at Stadium Australia, Sydney - 20.05
Aug 29th - Australia v South Africa at Subiaco Oval, Perth - 18.05
Sept 5th - Australia v Sout Africa at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - 20.05
Sept 12th - New Zealand v South Africa at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton - 19.35
Sept 19th - New Zealand v Australia at Westpac Stadium, Wellington - 19.35
2009 Tri Nations Venues
New Zealand
Eden Park, Auckland - Capacity 48,000 - The major sporting venue in Auckland, capacity scheduled to be increased to 60,000 for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Westpac Stadium. Wellington - Capacity 40,000 - Opened in 1999 and regarded as one of the more intimidating stadia in New Zealand.
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton - Capacity 25,800 - One of the newer stadiums in New Zealand, opened in 2002.
South Africa
Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein - Capacity 36,500 - Capacity will increase to 48,000 for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
ABSA Stadium, Durban - Capacity 52,000 - Formerly known as Kings Park and refurbished in 1990. Will host a semi-final in the 2010 Soccer World Cup by which time the capacity will have increased to 60,000.
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town - Capacity 51,000 - Hosted the opening match of the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Australia
Stadium Australia, Sydney - Capacity 83,500 - Built for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Prior to a reduction in capacity in 2003, the stadium was home to the highest attendance for a rugby match,109,874, for the visit of the All Blacks in 2000.
Subiaco Oval, Perth - Capacity 43,000 - The largest venue in Western Australia and known for its vociferous home support.
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - Capacity 52,500 - Previously known as Lang Park it was redeveloped and renamed for the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
History Of The Tri Nations Tournament
Although competing competitively for over 100 years, the formal structure now known as the Tri Nations was not implemented until 1996. The first game took place in Wellington and saw New Zealand defeat Australia 43-6. New Zealand have dominated and are current champions but the tournament has proved increasingly competitive in recent times.
Previous Tri Nations Winners
- 1996 New Zealand
- 1997 New Zealand
- 1998 South Africa
- 1999 New Zealand
- 2000 Australia
- 2001 Australia
- 2002 New Zealand
- 2003 New Zealand
- 2004 South Africa
- 2005 New Zealand
- 2006 New Zealand
- 2007 New Zealand
- 2008 New Zealand
2009 Tri Nations
With the southern hemisphere regarded as the stronghold of world international rugby union, the 2009 tri nations tournament is eagerly anticipated. New Zealand will start as favourites but South Africa, battle hardened from facing the British and Irish Lions, may prove stern opponents.
References:
Tri Nations Rugby
Related Article:
British And Irish Lions Tour South Africa 2009
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