New Zealand, Australia and South Africa are arguably the greatest rugby nations in the world, boasting a combined six World Cup titles out of the seven that have been held.
When the Tri-Nations tournament was taking place, it was seen to provide an insight into which team would win the World Cup. In other words, the side that wins the Tri-Nations is the best team in the world – and hence World Cup favourites.
However, this is not the case. Many a dominant side in the Tri-Nations has not gone on to win the World Cup.
Since its inception in 1996, the side that has won the Tri-Nations in the World Cup year has never managed to win the Cup.
This is a stat that is surprising to many rugby fans. The All Blacks have won the southern hemisphere title thrice in World Cup years (1999, 2003, 2007), but we’re unable to progress past the semi final stage each time – and were knocked out in the quarter final stage in 2007.
The year in which the All Blacks did not win – 2011 – led to them winning the World Cup. Australia won the Tri-Nations title ahead of the last World Cup, and we’re convincingly knocked out in the semi final.
On three of those four occasions, other Tri-Nations sides had won the World Cup.
To be more accurate, it was the runner up team that had twice won the World Cup (Australia 1999, New Zealand 2011), while only one team has won the World Cup finishing third in the Southern Hemisphere competition (South Africa 2007).
Perhaps the resting of players for the World Cup has influenced the correlation of Tri-Nations runner ups. It has been proven that in 2011 the All Blacks fielded a poorer team for the final two Tri-Nations games, both of which they lost.
A strong World Cup campaign followed suit.
Another example was the 2007 Tri-Nations campaign of South Africa. The SARU made the decision to rest their injured top players for the final few games, saying that “they might as well not go to the World Cup”, if they had fielded their injured players.
A dominant World Cup display was a result of this. This factor could very well influence not only the Rugby Championship, but the World Cup as well.
The Rugby Championship may not be exactly like the Tri-Nations, but the same occurrence could happen. Could this be the year that the double is completed for the first time? Or will it correlate to the results in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011?
Rudolf
Guest
It's called READING. Apply it sometime.
Sylvester
Guest
No correlation. Both are just tournaments that can be hard to win for very different reasons.
wardad
Guest
Well actually I was thinking we can win both ,and why not ? Theres no corelation between winning the RC and losing the RWC . That would be just superstition given its a different team at a different WC.
Sporting Tragic
Roar Pro
I'm a staunch wallabies fan, but it is hard to see anyone by NZ winning both.
Mark Simento
Roar Rookie
I believe I stated that NZ, South Africa and Australia had won the World Cup a combined 6 times
George G
Guest
Yeah I agree with the comments above- nobody watching either of the RC games this weekend would be thinking "yes! we can win the Rugby Championship!" Rather, they will be thinking "that was good, we have a chance at the RWC" (in everyone's case barring Argentina).
Alan
Guest
Sorry Onya, I misread your comment. Am in agreement that in wc year, only the wc matters.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
The ARU must be by the lack of interest. It must review its pricing policy
Alan
Guest
I would if it meant trying out different combos and even giving uncapped players a last ditch effort to make the wc squad. And I'm an AB fan where every loss is greeted with depression and angst. With the current Abs for example, we all know what the older guys are capable of, so why don't we pick Laulala and Codie Taylor to start against the boks on Saturday. We might unearth two test players capable of performing at the biggest stage right now rather than taking the conservative approach of keeping them away from the big tests/wc until next year.
Jibba Jabba
Guest
The fans... we want it all...
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Who wouldn't sacrifice winning the rugby championship if the view was that only the RWC matters.
sheek
Roar Guru
You have to understand, or appreciate, that in a world cup year, the Rugby Championship takes second place to the world cup. Exactly the same applies to the Six Nations. Every country has their eye on a bigger prize, & their personnel selections, strategy & tactics are all geared to the world cup. Everything in between is a stepping stone. Doubling up championship trophies is merely a bonus.
TM
Guest
Since the AB's have won the bulk of the tri nations/rugby championships since inception, this is really just an article about their failure to win world cups. Other than that looking for some sort of pattern is a waste of time.
Tony James
Guest
NZ and RSA won 6 out of 7 World cups? Don't think so - Aust 2 times and England once so a bit more homework please! Maths particularly - Spiro won't be pleased!
Taylorman
Guest
I'd like to think the double could be achieved but with their win oz hav the box seat with the draw in having both SA and the ABs at home, where NZ has to play them both away. Plus DC and SBW are not going to SA so that immediately suggests rested players particularly at 10 where we don't really have a 100% backup. But the ABs are pointing higher this year with the SXV sides and new players coming through so have no excuses not to win both comps. If they play their best rugby, they'll win. It's once again there's to lose.
GeoffBrizvegas
Guest
I get the heading but really only the All Blacks and Boks would arguably be labelled "Great" rugby nations