# 2009 Tri Nations Series

The 2009 Tri Nations Series was the fourteenth annual Tri Nations rugby union series between the national rugby union teams of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, respectively nicknamed the All Blacks, Wallabies, and Springboks. The Springboks secured the season crown in their final match on 12 September, defeating the defending series champion All Blacks 32–29 in Hamilton.

## Background

New Zealand, South Africa and Australia were ranked first, second, and third in the world respectively by the International Rugby Board (IRB) immediately before the start of the Tri Nations on 30 June 2009. For South Africa, the tournament comes on the back of the British & Irish Lions tour.

## Tri-Nations 2009

On 18 July, the All Blacks drew first blood in the series, coming from behind to defeat the Wallabies 22–16 at Eden Park. The All Blacks then departed for a two-test series against the Springboks in South Africa. The Boks won the first test 28–19, a result that not only gave them the series lead but also put them ahead of the All Blacks for first place in the IRB World Rankings. The following week, they defeated the All Blacks again, with Morné Steyn scoring all of their points in a 31–19 win. Steyn's performance broke the previous mark of New Zealand's Andrew Mehrtens for individual points in a Tri Nations match. The Boks completed their home leg with a 29–17 win over the Wallabies in Cape Town, with Steyn scoring 24 of their points.
The series then travelled to Australia for the Wallabies' three home matches. It opened with the second Bledisloe Cup match with the All Blacks, won by the All Blacks 19–18. The Springboks then picked up a 32–25 bonus-point win over the Wallabies in Perth. The Wallabies then defeated the Springboks 21–6, at Brisbane. The Springboks had to wait another week to try grasp the Tri-Nations title, but had to face the All Blacks at home in Hamilton. The Boks claimed the Tri Nations crown for the first time since 2004 with a 32–29 win. In the final match of the series on 19 September, the All Blacks thumped the Wallabies 33–6 in Wellington.
The final match of the Bledisloe Cup series between Australia and New Zealand took place after the Tri-Nations, on 11 October (the first 3 matches of the series were part of the Tri-Nations).

## Standings

| Place | Nation | Games | Games | Games | Games | Points | Points | Points | Bonus points | Table points |
| Place | Nation | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Difference | Bonus points | Table points |
| 1 | South Africa | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 158 | 130 | +28 | 1 | 21 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 141 | 131 | +10 | 1 | 13 |
| 3 | Australia | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 103 | 141 | −38 | 3 | 7 |

## Fixtures
### New Zealand vs. Australia

* 18 July 2009 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| New Zealand | 22–16 | Australia (1 BP) |
| Try: McCaw 25' c Con: Donald (1/1) 26' Pen: Donald (5/7) 14', 41', 44', 60', 73' | Report | Try: Barnes 3' c Con: Giteau (1/1) 4' Pen: Giteau (3/5) 9', 19', 45' |
* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 32,000 Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu |
| LW | 11 | Sitiveni Sivivatu |
| FH | 10 | Stephen Donald |
| SH | 9 | Jimmy Cowan | 53' |
| N8 | 8 | Rodney So'oialo | 61' |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Jerome Kaino |
| RL | 5 | Isaac Ross | 71' |
| LL | 4 | Brad Thorn |
| TP | 3 | Neemia Tialata | 44' |
| HK | 2 | Andrew Hore | 44' |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Keven Mealamu | 44' |
| PR | 17 | Owen Franks | 44' |
| LK | 18 | Jason Eaton | 71' |
| N8 | 19 | Kieran Read | 61' |
| SH | 20 | Piri Weepu | 53' |
| FH | 21 | Luke McAlister |
| WG | 22 | Joe Rokocoko |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||
| FB | 15 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| RW | 14 | Lachlan Turner |
| OC | 13 | Stirling Mortlock (c) |
| IC | 12 | Berrick Barnes | 61' |
| LW | 11 | Drew Mitchell |
| FH | 10 | Matt Giteau |
| SH | 9 | Luke Burgess | 74' |
| N8 | 8 | Wycliff Palu |
| OF | 7 | George Smith |
| BF | 6 | Richard Brown | 50' |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe |
| LL | 4 | James Horwill | 39' to 45' | 39' to 45' | 63' to 70' | 63' to 70' |
| TP | 3 | Al Baxter | 71' |
| HK | 2 | Stephen Moore |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Tatafu Polota-Nau |
| PR | 17 | Ben Alexander | 71' |
| LK | 18 | Dean Mumm | 39' | 45' | 63' | 70' |
| N8 | 19 | Phil Waugh |
| FL | 20 | David Pocock | 50' |
| FH | 21 | Will Genia | 74' |
| FB | 22 | James O'Connor | 61' |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||
* Touch judges:
* Marius Jonker (South Africa)
* Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
* Television match official:
* Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
Notes:
* George Smith (Australia) won his 100th test cap, the 10th player to reach that milestone.

### South Africa vs. New Zealand

* 25 July 2009 15:00 SAST (UTC+02)
| South Africa | 28–19 | New Zealand |
| Tries: Pienaar 24' m Fourie 72' m Pen: F. Steyn (2/2) 6', 32' Pienaar (1/4) 16' M. Steyn (3/3) 42', 56', 77' | Report | Try: Smith 47' c Con: Donald (1/1) 49' Pen: Donald (4/5) 3', 51', 63', 73' |
* Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Attendance: 37,081 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
| FB | 15 | François Steyn |
| RW | 14 | JP Pietersen |
| OC | 13 | Jaque Fourie |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers | 68' |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana |
| FH | 10 | Ruan Pienaar | 40' |
| SH | 9 | Fourie du Preez | 73' |
| N8 | 8 | Pierre Spies |
| BF | 7 | Juan Smith |
| OF | 6 | Heinrich Brüssow |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Bakkies Botha | 68' |
| TP | 3 | John Smit (c) | 64' to 73' | 64' to 73' |
| HK | 2 | Bismarck du Plessis | 79' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Chiliboy Ralepelle | 79' |
| PR | 17 | Jannie du Plessis | 64' | 73' |
| LK | 18 | Danie Rossouw | 68' |
| N8 | 19 | Ryan Kankowski |
| SH | 20 | Ricky Januarie | 73' |
| FH | 21 | Morné Steyn | 40' |
| FB | 22 | Wynand Olivier | 68' |
| Coach: ||
| Peter de Villiers ||
| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| RW | 14 | Joe Rokocoko |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith | 75' |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu |
| LW | 11 | Sitiveni Sivivatu |
| FH | 10 | Stephen Donald |
| SH | 9 | Brendon Leonard | 49' |
| N8 | 8 | Rodney So'oialo | 52' |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Jerome Kaino |
| RL | 5 | Isaac Ross | 64' |
| LL | 4 | Brad Thorn |
| TP | 3 | Neemia Tialata | 42' |
| HK | 2 | Andrew Hore | 57' |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Keven Mealamu | 57' |
| PR | 17 | Owen Franks | 42' |
| LK | 18 | Jason Eaton | 64' |
| N8 | 19 | Kieran Read | 52' |
| SH | 20 | Piri Weepu | 49' |
| FH | 21 | Luke McAlister | 75' |
| FB | 22 | Cory Jane |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||
* Touch judges:
* Nigel Owens (Wales)
* Tim Hayes (Wales)
* Television match official:
* Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)

### South Africa vs. New Zealand

* 1 August 2009 17:00 SAST (UTC+02)
| South Africa | 31–19 | New Zealand |
| Try: M. Steyn 38' c Con: M. Steyn (1/1) 39' 'Pen: M. Steyn (8/9) 5', 15', 18', 32', 40+2', 56', 64', 74' | Report | Try: Ross 12' c Con: Donald (1/1) 13' Pen: Donald (3/3) 7', 29', 51' McAlister (1/1) 61' |
* Kings Park Stadium, Durban Attendance: 52,572 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
| FB | 15 | François Steyn |
| RW | 14 | JP Pietersen | 28' to 38' |
| OC | 13 | Jaque Fourie | | 78' |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers | | 70' |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn |
| SH | 9 | Fourie du Preez | | 78' |
| N8 | 8 | Pierre Spies |
| BF | 7 | Juan Smith | | 64' |
| OF | 6 | Heinrich Brüssow |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Bakkies Botha | 49' to 59' | 78' |
| TP | 3 | John Smit (c) | | 78' |
| HK | 2 | Bismarck du Plessis | | 80' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Chiliboy Ralepelle | | 80' |
| PR | 17 | Jannie du Plessis | | 78' |
| LK | 18 | Andries Bekker | | 78' |
| N8 | 19 | Danie Rossouw | | 64' |
| SH | 20 | Ricky Januarie | | 78' |
| FH | 21 | Adrian Jacobs | | 70' |
| FB | 22 | Wynand Olivier | | 78' |
| Coach: ||
| Peter de Villiers ||
| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| RW | 14 | Joe Rokocoko |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu |
| LW | 11 | Sitiveni Sivivatu |
| FH | 10 | Stephen Donald | | 61' |
| SH | 9 | Jimmy Cowan | | 43' |
| N8 | 8 | Rodney So'oialo |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Jerome Kaino | | 59' |
| RL | 5 | Isaac Ross | 30' to 40' |
| LL | 4 | Brad Thorn |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | | 65' |
| HK | 2 | Andrew Hore | | 43' | 76' |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Keven Mealamu | | 43' | 76' |
| PR | 17 | John Afoa | | 65' |
| LK | 18 | Jason Eaton |
| N8 | 19 | Kieran Read | | 59' |
| SH | 20 | Piri Weepu | | 43' |
| FH | 21 | Luke McAlister | | 61' |
| FB | 22 | Cory Jane |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||
* Touch judges:
* Alain Rolland (Ireland)
* Tim Hayes (Wales)
* Television match official:
* Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Notes:
* Morné Steyn's 31 points set a new individual record for points in a Tri Nations match, breaking Andrew Mehrtens' previous mark of 29 for the All Blacks against Australia at Eden Park in 1999 as well as the most points scored by an individual in a game against the All Blacks. It is also an all-time Test record for most points by a player who was responsible for all of his team's scoring.

### South Africa vs. Australia

* 8 August 2009 17:00 SAST (UTC+02)
| South Africa | 29–17 | Australia |
| Try: Matfield 27' m Pen: M. Steyn (7/7) 8', 11', 13', 21', 36', 54', 78' Drop: M. Steyn (1/1) 24' | Report | Tries: Ashley-Cooper 2' c Giteau 66' c Con: Giteau (2/2) 3', 67' Drop: Barnes (1/1) 14' |
* Newlands Stadium, Cape Town Attendance: 48,397 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
| FB | 15 | François Steyn | 60' |
| RW | 14 | JP Pietersen |
| OC | 13 | Jaque Fourie |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers | 71' |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn |
| SH | 9 | Fourie du Preez | 76' |
| N8 | 8 | Pierre Spies |
| BF | 7 | Juan Smith | 52' |
| OF | 6 | Heinrich Brüssow |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Bakkies Botha | 76' |
| TP | 3 | John Smit (c) |
| HK | 2 | Bismarck du Plessis |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira | 68' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Chiliboy Ralepelle |
| PR | 17 | Jannie du Plessis | 68' |
| LK | 18 | Andries Bekker | 76' |
| N8 | 19 | Danie Rossouw | 52' |
| SH | 20 | Ricky Januarie | 76' |
| FH | 21 | Ruan Pienaar | 60' |
| FB | 22 | Adrian Jacobs | 71' |
| Coach: ||
| Peter de Villiers ||
| FB | 15 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| RW | 14 | Lachlan Turner |
| OC | 13 | Stirling Mortlock (c) | | 29' |
| IC | 12 | Berrick Barnes |
| LW | 11 | Drew Mitchell |
| FH | 10 | Matt Giteau | 34' to 44' |
| SH | 9 | Luke Burgess | | 55' |
| N8 | 8 | Wycliff Palu | | 55' |
| OF | 7 | George Smith | 78' to end' |
| BF | 6 | Richard Brown | 36' to 46' |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe |
| LL | 4 | James Horwill | | 40' |
| TP | 3 | Al Baxter | | 52' |
| HK | 2 | Stephen Moore | | 50' |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Tatafu Polota-Nau | | 50' |
| PR | 17 | Ben Alexander | | 52' |
| LK | 18 | Dean Mumm | | 40' |
| N8 | 19 | David Pocock | | 55' |
| SH | 20 | Will Genia | | 55' |
| FH | 21 | Peter Hynes |
| FB | 22 | James O'Connor | | 29' |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||
* Touch judges:
* Nigel Owens (Wales)
* Tim Hayes (Wales)
* Television match official:
* Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

### Australia vs. New Zealand

* 22 August 2009 20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
| (1 BP) Australia | 18–19 | New Zealand |
| Pen: Giteau (6/6) 6', 10', 34', 40'+2', 47', 67' | Report | Try: Nonu 64' c Con: Carter (1/1) 65' Pen: Carter (4/5) 3', 44', 58', 78' |
* Stadium Australia, Sydney Attendance: 80,228 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
| FB | 15 | James O'Connor | | 45' |
| RW | 14 | Lachlan Turner |
| OC | 13 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| IC | 12 | Berrick Barnes | | 40+2' |
| LW | 11 | Drew Mitchell |
| FH | 10 | Matt Giteau |
| SH | 9 | Luke Burgess | | 75' |
| N8 | 8 | Richard Brown | 41' to 51' | 70' |
| OF | 7 | George Smith (c) |
| BF | 6 | Rocky Elsom |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe | | 70' |
| LL | 4 | James Horwill |
| TP | 3 | Al Baxter | | | | 31' |
| HK | 2 | Stephen Moore | | 20' to 31' | 20' to 31' | 49' |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson | | 20' to 22' | 20' to 22' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Tatafu Polota-Nau | | 20' | 31' | 49' |
| PR | 17 | Ben Alexander | | 20' | 22' | 31' |
| LK | 18 | Dean Mumm | | 70' |
| N8 | 19 | David Pocock | | 70' |
| SH | 20 | Will Genia | | 75' |
| FH | 21 | Ryan Cross | | 40+2' |
| FB | 22 | Peter Hynes | | 45' |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||
| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| RW | 14 | Joe Rokocoko |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith | | | 41' |
| IC | 12 | Luke McAlister | 3' to 10' | 3' to 10' | 49' |
| LW | 11 | Sitiveni Sivivatu |
| FH | 10 | Dan Carter |
| SH | 9 | Jimmy Cowan |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Jerome Kaino | 67' |
| RL | 5 | Isaac Ross |
| LL | 4 | Brad Thorn |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 69' |
| HK | 2 | Andrew Hore |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Aled de Malmanche |
| PR | 17 | John Afoa | 69' |
| LK | 18 | Jason Eaton |
| N8 | 19 | Rodney So'oialo | 67' |
| SH | 20 | Brendon Leonard |
| FH | 21 | Stephen Donald | | | 49' |
| CE | 22 | Ma'a Nonu | 3' | 10' | 41' |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||
* Touch judges:
* Craig Joubert (South Africa)
* Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
* Television match official:
* George Ayoub (Australia)

### Australia vs. South Africa

* 29 August 2009 18:00 AWST (UTC+08)
| (1 BP) Australia | 25–32 | South Africa (1 BP) |
| Tries: Giteau (2) 43' c, 75' m Turner 80' c Con: Giteau (2/3) 44', 80' Pen: Giteau (2/4) 27', 39' | Report | Tries: Du Preez 5' c Fourie 9' m Habana (2) 32' c, 53' c Con: M. Steyn (3/4) Pen: M. Steyn (2/3) 16', 67' |
* Subiaco Oval, Perth Attendance: 36,148 Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
| FB | 15 | James O'Connor | 77' |
| RW | 14 | Lachlan Turner |
| OC | 13 | Ryan Cross | 65' |
| IC | 12 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| LW | 11 | Peter Hynes |
| FH | 10 | Matt Giteau |
| SH | 9 | Luke Burgess | 56' |
| N8 | 8 | Richard Brown | 48' |
| OF | 7 | George Smith (c) |
| BF | 6 | Rocky Elsom |
| RL | 5 | Mark Chisholm |
| LL | 4 | James Horwill |
| TP | 3 | Ben Alexander |
| HK | 2 | Stephen Moore | 54' |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Tatafu Polota-Nau | 54' |
| PR | 17 | Al Baxter |
| LK | 18 | Dean Mumm |
| N8 | 19 | David Pocock | 48' |
| SH | 20 | Will Genia | 56' |
| FH | 21 | Quade Cooper | 65' |
| FB | 22 | Drew Mitchell | 77' |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||
| FB | 15 | Ruan Pienaar | 72' |
| RW | 14 | JP Pietersen | 65' |
| OC | 13 | Jaque Fourie |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn |
| SH | 9 | Fourie du Preez | 76' |
| N8 | 8 | Pierre Spies |
| BF | 7 | Juan Smith | 54' |
| OF | 6 | Heinrich Brüssow |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Bakkies Botha | 55' |
| TP | 3 | John Smit (c) | 76' |
| HK | 2 | Bismarck du Plessis | 76' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Chiliboy Ralepelle | 76' |
| PR | 17 | Jannie du Plessis | 76' |
| LK | 18 | Andries Bekker | 55' |
| N8 | 19 | Schalk Burger | 54' |
| SH | 20 | Ricky Januarie | 76' |
| FH | 21 | Adrian Jacobs | 65' |
| FB | 22 | François Steyn | 72' |
| Coach: ||
| Peter de Villiers ||
* Touch judges:
* Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
* Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
* Television match official:
* Keith Brown (New Zealand)

### Australia vs. South Africa

* 5 September 2009 20:00 AEST (UTC+10)
| Australia | 21–6 | South Africa |
| Tries: Ashley-Cooper 62' c O'Connor 76' m Con: Giteau (1/2) 63' Pen: Giteau (2/3) 5', 26' Drop: Giteau (1/1) 34' | Report | Pen: M. Steyn (1/1) 36' Drop: M. Steyn (1/1) 28' |
* Lang Park, Brisbane Attendance: 47,481 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
| FB | 15 | James O'Connor |
| RW | 14 | Lachlan Turner | 30' |
| OC | 13 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| IC | 12 | Berrick Barnes | 74' |
| LW | 11 | Drew Mitchell |
| FH | 10 | Matt Giteau |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia |
| N8 | 8 | George Smith (c) |
| OF | 7 | David Pocock |
| BF | 6 | Rocky Elsom |
| RL | 5 | Mark Chisholm |
| LL | 4 | James Horwill |
| TP | 3 | Ben Alexander | 78' |
| HK | 2 | Tatafu Polota-Nau | 32' |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Stephen Moore | 32' |
| PR | 17 | Pek Cowan | 78' |
| LK | 18 | Dean Mumm |
| N8 | 19 | Wycliff Palu |
| SH | 20 | Luke Burgess |
| FH | 21 | Quade Cooper | 74' |
| FB | 22 | Peter Hynes | 30' |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||
| FB | 15 | Ruan Pienaar | 68' |
| RW | 14 | Odwa Ndungane |
| OC | 13 | Jaque Fourie |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana | 35' |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn |
| SH | 9 | Fourie du Preez |
| N8 | 8 | Pierre Spies |
| BF | 7 | Juan Smith |
| OF | 6 | Heinrich Brüssow | 59' |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Bakkies Botha | 60' |
| TP | 3 | John Smit (c) |
| HK | 2 | Bismarck du Plessis |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Chiliboy Ralepelle |
| PR | 17 | Jannie du Plessis |
| LK | 18 | Danie Rossouw | 60' |
| N8 | 19 | Schalk Burger | 59' |
| SH | 20 | Ricky Januarie |
| FH | 21 | Adrian Jacobs | 35' |
| FB | 22 | François Steyn | 68' |
| Coach: ||
| Peter de Villiers ||
* Touch judges:
* Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
* Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
* Television match official:
* George Ayoub (Australia)

### New Zealand vs. South Africa

* 12 September 2009 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| (1 BP) New Zealand | 29–32 | South Africa |
| Tries: Sivivatu 55' c McCaw 78' c Con: Carter (2/2) Pen: Carter (5/5) 1', 14', 22', 34', 64' | Report | Tries: Du Preez 19' c De Villiers 51' c Con: M. Steyn (2/2) Pen: F. Steyn (3/3) 6', 9', 26' M. Steyn (2/2) 33', 71' Drop: M. Steyn (1/1) 17' |
* Waikato Stadium, Hamilton Attendance: 31,000 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| RW | 14 | Joe Rokocoko |
| OC | 13 | Ma'a Nonu |
| IC | 12 | Stephen Donald | 50' |
| LW | 11 | Sitiveni Sivivatu | 72' |
| FH | 10 | Dan Carter |
| SH | 9 | Jimmy Cowan |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Jerome Kaino | 72' |
| RL | 5 | Isaac Ross |
| LL | 4 | Brad Thorn |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 50' |
| HK | 2 | Andrew Hore |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Aled de Malmanche |
| PR | 17 | John Afoa | 50' |
| FL | 18 | Adam Thomson | 72' |
| N8 | 19 | Rodney So'oialo |
| SH | 20 | Brendon Leonard |
| CR | 21 | Isaia Toeava | 50' |
| FB | 22 | Cory Jane | 72' |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||
| FB | 15 | François Steyn |
| RW | 14 | Odwa Ndungane |
| OC | 13 | Jaque Fourie |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana | 77' |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn |
| SH | 9 | Fourie du Preez | 77' |
| N8 | 8 | Pierre Spies |
| BF | 7 | Schalk Burger | 67' |
| OF | 6 | Heinrich Brüssow |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Bakkies Botha | 71' |
| TP | 3 | John Smit (c) |
| HK | 2 | Bismarck du Plessis | 80' |
| LP | 1 | Tendai Mtawarira | 79' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Chiliboy Ralepelle | 80' |
| PR | 17 | Jannie du Plessis | 79' |
| LK | 18 | Danie Rossouw | 71' |
| N8 | 19 | Ryan Kankowski | 67' |
| SH | 20 | Ricky Januarie | 77' |
| FH | 21 | Adrian Jacobs | 77' |
| FB | 22 | Ruan Pienaar |
| Coach: ||
| Peter de Villiers ||
* Touch judges:
* Wayne Barnes (England)
* Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
* Television match official:
* George Ayoub (New Zealand)
Notes:
* Morné Steyn became the highest individual point scorer in a Tri-Nations season with 95 points this season alone.
* Dan Carter's first penalty made him the leading point scorer in Tri Nations history, surpassing former All Black Andrew Mehrtens. Carter entered the match with 326 Tri Nations points to Mehrtens' 328, and ended the evening with 345.

### New Zealand vs. Australia

* 19 September 2009 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)
| New Zealand | 33–6 | Australia |
| Tries: Jane 31' c Nonu 75' c Rokocoko 80' c Con: Carter (3/3) Pen: Carter (4/5) 14', 16', 21', 46' | Report | Pen: Giteau (1/2) 7' Drop: Barnes (1/1) 28' |
* Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 34,186 Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane | | 59' |
| OC | 13 | Isaia Toeava | 29' to 39' |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu |
| LW | 11 | Joe Rokocoko |
| FH | 10 | Dan Carter |
| SH | 9 | Jimmy Cowan | | 68' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Adam Thomson | | 72' |
| RL | 5 | Tom Donnelly | | 66' |
| LL | 4 | Brad Thorn |
| TP | 3 | Neemia Tialata | | 47' |
| HK | 2 | Andrew Hore |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Aled de Malmanche |
| PR | 17 | John Afoa | | 47' |
| LK | 18 | Jason Eaton | | 66' |
| N8 | 19 | Rodney So'oialo | | 72' |
| SH | 20 | Brendon Leonard | | 68' |
| FH | 21 | Stephen Donald |
| FB | 22 | Hosea Gear | | 59' |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||
| FB | 15 | James O'Connor |
| RW | 14 | Lachlan Turner |
| OC | 13 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| IC | 12 | Berrick Barnes |
| LW | 11 | Drew Mitchell |
| FH | 10 | Matt Giteau |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia | 76' |
| N8 | 8 | George Smith (c) | | 68' |
| OF | 7 | David Pocock |
| BF | 6 | Rocky Elsom (c) | 61' to 68' | 61' to 68' |
| RL | 5 | Mark Chisholm |
| LL | 4 | James Horwill |
| TP | 3 | Ben Alexander |
| HK | 2 | Tatafu Polota-Nau | 48' |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson | 67' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Stephen Moore | 48' |
| PR | 17 | Pekaho Cowan | 67' |
| LK | 18 | Dean Mumm |
| N8 | 19 | Wycliff Palu | 61' |
| SH | 20 | Luke Burgess | 76' |
| FH | 21 | Quade Cooper |
| FB | 22 | Peter Hynes |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||
* Touch judges:
* Wayne Barnes (England)
* Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
* Television match official:
* Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Notes:
* Dan Carter surpassed Ronan O'Gara as the 5th highest point scorer with 930 points