# 2004 Tri Nations Series

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

| Nation | Games | Games | Games | Games | Points | Points | Points | Bonus points | Table points |
| Nation | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Difference | Bonus points | Table points |
| South Africa | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 110 | 98 | +12 | 3 | 11 |
| Australia | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 79 | 83 | −4 | 2 | 10 |
| New Zealand | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 83 | 91 | −8 | 1 | 9 |

## Results
### Round 1

* 17 July 2004 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| New Zealand | 16–7 | Australia |
| Try: Howlett Con: Carter Pen: Carter (3) | | Try: Mortlock Con: Giteau |
* Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 38,000 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| RW | 14 | Doug Howlett |
| OC | 13 | Tana Umaga (c) |
| IC | 12 | Dan Carter |
| LW | 11 | Joe Rokocoko |
| FH | 10 | Carlos Spencer |
| SH | 9 | Justin Marshall |
| N8 | 8 | Xavier Rush |
| OF | 7 | Marty Holah |
| BF | 6 | Jono Gibbes |
| RL | 5 | Simon Maling |
| LL | 4 | Chris Jack |
| TP | 3 | Carl Hayman |
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu |
| LP | 1 | Kees Meeuws |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Andrew Hore |
| PR | 17 | Greg Somerville |
| FL | 18 | Jerry Collins |
| FL | 19 | Craig Newby |
| SH | 20 | Byron Kelleher |
| FH | 21 | Nick Evans |
| CE | 22 | Sam Tuitupou |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||
| FB | 15 | Chris Latham |
| RW | 14 | Clyde Rathbone |
| OC | 13 | Stirling Mortlock |
| IC | 12 | Matt Giteau |
| LW | 11 | Lote Tuqiri |
| FH | 10 | Stephen Larkham |
| SH | 9 | Chris Whitaker |
| N8 | 8 | David Lyons |
| OF | 7 | Phil Waugh |
| BF | 6 | Radike Samo |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe (c) |
| LL | 4 | Justin Harrison |
| TP | 3 | Al Baxter |
| HK | 2 | Brendan Cannon |
| LP | 1 | Bill Young |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Jeremy Paul |
| PR | 17 | Matt Dunning |
| LK | 18 | Dan Vickerman |
| FL | 19 | George Smith |
| SH | 20 | Matt Henjak |
| FB | 21 | Matt Burke |
| WG | 22 | Wendell Sailor |
| Coach: ||
| Eddie Jones ||

### Round 2

* 24 July 2004 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| New Zealand | 23–21 | South Africa (1 BP) |
| Try: Howlett Pen: Carter (5) Carlos Spencer | | Try: De Villiers Cronjé du Preez Con: Montgomery (3) |
* Lancaster Park, Christchurch Attendance: 34,000 Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia)
| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| RW | 14 | Doug Howlett |
| OC | 13 | Tana Umaga (c) |
| IC | 12 | Dan Carter |
| LW | 11 | Joe Rokocoko |
| FH | 10 | Carlos Spencer |
| SH | 9 | Justin Marshall |
| N8 | 8 | Xavier Rush |
| OF | 7 | Marty Holah |
| BF | 6 | Jerry Collins |
| RL | 5 | Simon Maling |
| LL | 4 | Chris Jack |
| TP | 3 | Greg Somerville |
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu |
| LP | 1 | Kees Meeuws |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Andrew Hore |
| PR | 17 | Tony Woodcock |
| LK | 18 | Ali Williams |
| FL | 19 | Craig Newby |
| SH | 20 | Byron Kelleher |
| CE | 21 | Sam Tuitupou |
| FH | 22 | Nick Evans |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||
| FB | 15 | Percy Montgomery |
| RW | 14 | Breyton Paulse |
| OC | 13 | Marius Joubert |
| IC | 12 | De Wet Barry |
| LW | 11 | Jean de Villiers |
| FH | 10 | Jaco van der Westhuyzen |
| SH | 9 | Fourie du Preez |
| N8 | 8 | Jacques Cronjé |
| BF | 7 | AJ Venter |
| OF | 6 | Schalk Burger |
| RL | 5 | Albert van den Berg |
| LL | 4 | Bakkies Botha |
| TP | 3 | Eddie Andrews |
| HK | 2 | John Smit (c) |
| LP | 1 | Os du Randt |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Danie Coetzee |
| PR | 17 | Faan Rautenbach |
| LK | 18 | Quinton Davids |
| N8 | 19 | Joe van Niekerk |
| SH | 20 | Bolla Conradie |
| FH | 21 | Gaffie du Toit |
| WG | 22 | Brent Russell |
| Coach: ||
| Jake White ||

### Round 3

* 31 July 2004 18:00 AWST (UTC+08)
| (1 BP) Australia | 30–26 | South Africa (1 BP) |
| Try: Tuqiri Larkham Latham Rathbone Con: Giteau Burke Pen: Giteau (2) | | Try: Van der Westhuyzen De Villiers Du Toit Con: Montgomery Pen: Montgomery (3) |
* Subiaco Oval, Perth Attendance: 42,507 Referee: Chris White (England)
| FB | 15 | Chris Latham |
| RW | 14 | Clyde Rathbone |
| OC | 13 | Stirling Mortlock |
| IC | 12 | Matt Giteau |
| LW | 11 | Lote Tuqiri |
| FH | 10 | Stephen Larkham |
| SH | 9 | George Gregan (c) |
| N8 | 8 | David Lyons |
| OF | 7 | Phil Waugh |
| BF | 6 | George Smith |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe |
| LL | 4 | Justin Harrison |
| TP | 3 | Al Baxter |
| HK | 2 | Jeremy Paul |
| LP | 1 | Bill Young |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Adam Freier |
| PR | 17 | Matt Dunning |
| LK | 18 | Dan Vickerman |
| N8 | 19 | John Roe |
| SH | 20 | Chris Whitaker |
| FB | 21 | Matt Burke |
| WG | 22 | Wendell Sailor |
| Coach: ||
| Eddie Jones ||
| FB | 15 | Percy Montgomery |
| RW | 14 | Breyton Paulse |
| OC | 13 | Marius Joubert |
| IC | 12 | De Wet Barry |
| LW | 11 | Jean de Villiers |
| FH | 10 | Jaco van der Westhuyzen |
| SH | 9 | Fourie du Preez |
| N8 | 8 | Jacques Cronjé |
| BF | 7 | AJ Venter |
| OF | 6 | Schalk Burger |
| RL | 5 | Gerrie Britz |
| LL | 4 | Bakkies Botha |
| TP | 3 | Eddie Andrews |
| HK | 2 | John Smit (c) |
| LP | 1 | Os du Randt |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Hanyani Shimange |
| PR | 17 | CJ van der Linde |
| LK | 18 | Albert van den Berg |
| N8 | 19 | Joe van Niekerk |
| SH | 20 | Bolla Conradie |
| FH | 21 | Gaffie du Toit |
| WG | 22 | Brent Russell |
| Coach: ||
| Jake White ||

### Round 4

* 7 August 2004 20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
| Australia | 23–18 | New Zealand (1 BP) |
| Try: Tuqiri Pen: Burke (2) Giteau (4) | | Pen: Carter (4) Spencer Mehrtens |
* Stadium Australia, Sydney Attendance: 83,418 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
| FB | 15 | Chris Latham |
| RW | 14 | Clyde Rathbone |
| OC | 13 | Stirling Mortlock |
| IC | 12 | Matt Giteau |
| LW | 11 | Lote Tuqiri |
| FH | 10 | Stephen Larkham |
| SH | 9 | George Gregan (c) |
| N8 | 8 | David Lyons |
| OF | 7 | Phil Waugh |
| BF | 6 | George Smith |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe |
| LL | 4 | Justin Harrison |
| TP | 3 | Al Baxter |
| HK | 2 | Brendan Cannon |
| LP | 1 | Bill Young |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Jeremy Paul |
| PR | 17 | Matt Dunning |
| LK | 18 | Dan Vickerman |
| N8 | 19 | John Roe |
| SH | 20 | Chris Whitaker |
| FB | 21 | Matt Burke |
| WG | 22 | Wendell Sailor |
| Coach: ||
| Eddie Jones ||
| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| RW | 14 | Doug Howlett |
| OC | 13 | Tana Umaga (c) |
| IC | 12 | Dan Carter |
| LW | 11 | Joe Rokocoko |
| FH | 10 | Carlos Spencer |
| SH | 9 | Justin Marshall |
| N8 | 8 | Xavier Rush |
| OF | 7 | Marty Holah |
| BF | 6 | Jono Gibbes |
| RL | 5 | Ali Williams |
| LL | 4 | Chris Jack |
| TP | 3 | Carl Hayman |
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu |
| LP | 1 | Kees Meeuws |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Andrew Hore |
| PR | 17 | Greg Somerville |
| FL | 18 | Mose Tuiali'i |
| FL | 19 | Craig Newby |
| SH | 20 | Byron Kelleher |
| FH | 21 | Andrew Mehrtens |
| CE | 22 | Sam Tuitupou |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||

### Round 5

* 14 August 2004 15:00 SAST (UTC+02)
| (1 BP) South Africa | 40–26 | New Zealand |
| Try: Joubert (3) Paulse De Villiers Con: Montgomery (3) Pen: Montgomery (3) | | Try: Muliaina Rokocoko Con: Mehrtens (2) Pen: Mehrtens (4) |
* Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg Attendance: 62,857 Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales)
| FB | 15 | Percy Montgomery |
| RW | 14 | Breyton Paulse |
| OC | 13 | Marius Joubert |
| IC | 12 | De Wet Barry |
| LW | 11 | Jean de Villiers |
| FH | 10 | Jaco van der Westhuyzen |
| SH | 9 | Bolla Conradie |
| N8 | 8 | Joe van Niekerk |
| BF | 7 | Gerrie Britz |
| OF | 6 | Schalk Burger |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Bakkies Botha |
| TP | 3 | Eddie Andrews |
| HK | 2 | John Smit (c) |
| LP | 1 | Os du Randt |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Hanyani Shimange |
| PR | 17 | CJ van der Linde |
| LK | 18 | AJ Venter |
| N8 | 19 | Jacques Cronjé |
| SH | 20 | Fourie du Preez |
| FH | 21 | Gaffie du Toit |
| WG | 22 | Brent Russell |
| Coach: ||
| Jake White ||
| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| RW | 14 | Doug Howlett |
| OC | 13 | Tana Umaga (c) |
| IC | 12 | Sam Tuitupou |
| LW | 11 | Joe Rokocoko |
| FH | 10 | Andrew Mehrtens |
| SH | 9 | Justin Marshall |
| N8 | 8 | Xavier Rush |
| OF | 7 | Marty Holah |
| BF | 6 | Jono Gibbes |
| RL | 5 | Simon Maling |
| LL | 4 | Chris Jack |
| TP | 3 | Carl Hayman |
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu |
| LP | 1 | Kees Meeuws |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Andrew Hore |
| PR | 17 | Greg Somerville |
| FL | 18 | Mose Tuiali'i |
| FL | 19 | Craig Newby |
| SH | 20 | Byron Kelleher |
| FH | 21 | Nick Evans |
| CE | 22 | Aaron Mauger |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||

### Round 6

* 21 August 2004 15:00 SAST (UTC+02)
| South Africa | 23–19 | Australia (1 BP) |
| Try: Matfield Van Niekerk Con: Montgomery (2) Pen: Montgomery (3) | | Try: Tuqiri Mortlock Smith Con: Giteau (2) |
* Kings Park Stadium, Durban Attendance: 52,247 Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand)
| FB | 15 | Percy Montgomery |
| RW | 14 | Breyton Paulse |
| OC | 13 | Marius Joubert |
| IC | 12 | De Wet Barry |
| LW | 11 | Jean de Villiers |
| FH | 10 | Jaco van der Westhuyzen |
| SH | 9 | Bolla Conradie |
| N8 | 8 | Joe van Niekerk |
| BF | 7 | AJ Venter |
| OF | 6 | Schalk Burger |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Bakkies Botha |
| TP | 3 | Eddie Andrews |
| HK | 2 | John Smit (c) |
| LP | 1 | Os du Randt |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Hanyani Shimange |
| PR | 17 | CJ van der Linde |
| LK | 18 | Gerrie Britz |
| N8 | 19 | Jacques Cronjé |
| SH | 20 | Fourie du Preez |
| FH | 21 | Gaffie du Toit |
| WG | 22 | Brent Russell |
| Coach: ||
| Jake White ||
| FB | 15 | Chris Latham |
| RW | 14 | Clyde Rathbone |
| OC | 13 | Stirling Mortlock |
| IC | 12 | Matt Giteau |
| LW | 11 | Lote Tuqiri |
| FH | 10 | Stephen Larkham |
| SH | 9 | George Gregan (c) |
| N8 | 8 | David Lyons |
| OF | 7 | Phil Waugh |
| BF | 6 | George Smith |
| RL | 5 | Justin Harrison |
| LL | 4 | Nathan Sharpe |
| TP | 3 | Al Baxter |
| HK | 2 | Brendan Cannon |
| LP | 1 | Bill Young |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Jeremy Paul |
| PR | 17 | Matt Dunning |
| LK | 18 | Dan Vickerman |
| N8 | 19 | John Roe |
| SH | 20 | Chris Whitaker |
| FB | 21 | Matt Burke |
| WG | 22 | Wendell Sailor |
| Coach: ||
| Eddie Jones ||

## Scorers

Leading try scorers :
| Pos | Name | Tries | Pld | Team |
| 1 | Jean de Villiers | 3 | 4 | South Africa |
| 1 | Marius Joubert | 3 | 4 | South Africa |
| 3 | Lote Tuqiri | 3 | 4 | Australia |
Leading point scorers :
| Pos | Name | Points | Pld | Team |
| 1 | Percy Montgomery | 45 | 4 | South Africa |
| 2 | Dan Carter | 38 | 3 | New Zealand |
| 3 | Matt Giteau | 26 | 4 | Australia |