With the 2008 Tri-Nations over, our bored sports ed Rob Peters questions whether we really need to see another one and pleads with Sanzar to not make it any longer!

When the Tri-Nations first began in 1996 it came hot on the heels of the '95 World Cup and was greeted by a fan base crying out for more international rugby. The tournament was seen as an equivalent to the Five Nations — which of course has now been expanded to six — and pitted the three southern hemisphere superpowers against one another in a home and away format.

The series in its entirety lasted just over a month. And it was packed with excitement and drama. It was just what the fans were asking for.

Fast-forward to 2008 and we are faced with an extra two matches for each side, a total of six extra matches for the fans, and a series that now lasts over two months! For my money, quantity does not necessarily mean quality, particularly when you are faced with the same three teams, time and time again…

Missed the All Blacks at Newlands this year? Never mind, they’ll be back again soon. Australia? I feel like I know them better than my own family I have seen the team on our shores so often since '96.

The pundits are doing their damndest to tout this tournament as one of the best and most-talked about Tri-Nations in history, but in reality I do not see why they bother. This has not been an enthralling tournament — it has been drawn out far too long and interest has suffered because of it.

There comes a time when you have to ask yourself if you are still excited by the prospect of the Tri-Nations? Or the Super 14 for that matter? Because that too has been dragged out far too long, and talk that Sanzar are looking to extend it further is just ridiculous.

It is also interesting that every time there is talk of expansion it seems to lead back to the Australians. And it is no secret that it generally works to benefit them. Guess who would get the extra team if it becomes the Super 15?

The Heineken Cup in Europe works on a promotion-relegation system, meaning new teams take part every year. The Super 14 simply regurgitates the same thing year in and year out…

Surely it has come time to end it. I would far prefer to see the Springboks – and our Super 14 teams – competing in European competitions. Not only would the time zones work for us, but also the travelling would not be so in favour of the opposition as it is in both the Tri-Nations and Super 14.

But in the end it comes down to money in international rugby. The fans matter little and they certainly do not come into the equation when Sanzar sit down to sign a new television deal. So don’t expect anything new come your way anytime soon. It will be more of the same — only supersized…

  • Is it time to can the Tri-Nations? Or do you want to see more? Leave a comment below!


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