2004 Tri Nations Series

Final positions
Champions	South Africa (2nd title)
Bledisloe Cup	New Zealand
Freedom Cup	South Africa
Tournament statistics
Matches played	6
Tries scored	32 (5.33 per match)
Attendance	313,029 (52,172 per match)
← 2003 2005 →

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Nation	Games				Points			Bonus points	Table points
	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Difference
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

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[1] 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

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[2] 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

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[3] 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

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[4] 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

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[5] Referee: Nigel Williams (Wales)[nb 1]

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

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[6] 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

Leading try scorers Pos Name Tries Pld Team 1 Jean de Villiers 3 4  South Africa 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

• Tri Nations at Rugby.com.au