The Tri-Nations rugby series will revert to a six-Test tournament in 2007 to allow for the staging of the Rugby World Cup in France, tournament organisers announced on Wednesday.
The South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions (Sanzar) released the 2007 Tri-Nations draw, with the Springboks to start with a home international against the Wallabies on June 16.
South Africa will then host New Zealand on June 23, with both venues for the Springbok home matches to be confirmed by the South African Rugby Union.
Sanzar said the 2007 draw has been made to ensure that no team plays more than two consecutive matches in a row, with the early finish giving the Springboks, All Blacks and Wallabies seven weeks before the start of the Rugby World Cup on September 7.
The tournament then moves to Australia where the Wallabies host the All Blacks in Melbourne on June 30.
The following week the Wallabies will play the Springboks at Sydney’s Olympic stadium before the last two Test matches in New Zealand.
Christchurch will host the All Blacks’ Test against the Springboks on July 14 and the series wraps up with the return Bledisloe Cup Test at Auckland’s Eden Park on July 21.
The Tri Nations will revert to an expanded nine-Test series from the 2008 season. — AFP
Tri-Nations 2007 draw:
June 16: Springboks vs Wallabies, venue to be confirmed
June 23: Springboks vs All Blacks, venue to be confirmed
June 30: Wallabies vs All Blacks, Melbourne
July 7: Wallabies vs Springboks, Sydney
July 14: All Blacks vs Springboks, Christchurch
July 21: All Blacks vs Wallabies, Auckland