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Tri-Nations is yearly bliss for Rugby fans


The Tri-Nations series really is the best time of year for rugby fans. Since 1996, the rugby-playing nations of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia have played against each other in what I believe is not only the premiere rugby tournament in the Southern Hemisphere, it is the finest annual rugby tournament in the world.

It may become a truly "Southern Hemisphere" tournament as Argentina has been conditionally invited to join in 2012.

Club rugby, like club football (soccer) and other team sports are thing. An annual tournament involving national team draws much bigger crowds and has much more interest. The three Southern Hemisphere nations are rugby hotbeds. Of six Rugby World Cups, five have been won by Tri-Nations national teams.

New Zealand is the clear leader with nine victories, South Africa has three and Australia two. The fierce competition, and the fact that rugby enjoys a substantial following in those countries, make these three teams among the best in the world.

In the first 2010 match in New Zealand's Eden Park, New Zealand bested South Africa 32-12. The big news from that game was the banning of South African Springbok player Bakkies Botha, for head-butting an opponent on the ground after a tackle.

Watch below and see for yourself.


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