TRI NATIONS / BLEDISLOE CUP 2008
June - July 2008Looking back over the years, the Tri Nations has thrown out some epic encounters and the 2008 series is looking like one of the best yet.
The All Blacks, despite having lost key players such as Aaron Mauger, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman and Luke McAlister, will be more than ready to show they are still the No 1 ranked side despite their Rugby World Cup debacle. There is sure to be a reasonable amount of new faces in the All Blacks squad and that new crop of stars will be eager to impress - especially as they will be again defending the Tri Nations title.
Surprisingly, the Springboks have only won the Tri Nations twice before - in 1998 and 2004 but look on track to claim a third title after winning its second Rugby World Cup in October. They too, have a number of key players either playing their rugby elsewhere or retired. But in the likes of halfback Fourie du Preez, 2007 IRB Player of the Year Bryan Habana and the exciting Francois Steyn, there is certainly no shortage of talent.
The Wallabies, on the other hand, don’t have the same depth of players as their Southern Hemisphere rivals and it is sure to be an interesting year for Australian rugby. Youngsters like Berrick Barnes stepped up to the mark in France but he, and many others, will need to do the same if they are any chance of a Tri Nations title.
