An annual rugby union competition, the Tri Nations is a series held between New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Games are played in a round-robin format and teams play each other three times, for a total of nine matches during the competition. The tournament typically begins in early July and ends in September.
Setanta Sports carries approximately six matches LIVE.
2009 Tri Nations fixtures
The fixtures for the 2009 Tri Nations tournament have been confirmed by the executive of SANZAR.
The 14th edition of the tournament will kick off in Auckland on July 18 with the meeting between New Zealand and Australia and also concludes with a fixture between the same opponents in Wellington nine weeks later on September 19.
South Africa open their campaign against the All Blacks in Bloemfontein on July 25 – the first time since 1976 that the New Zealand will have played a Test match at the venue.
The Springboks also play New Zealand in Hamilton – the first time the nations will have met at the venue.
Tri Nations Fixtures 2009
(all fixtures are played on Saturdays)
Date |
Fixture |
Location |
Kickoff (Eastern) |
Next Airing |
| July 18 |
New Zealand vs Australia |
Auckland |
3:35 am |
1:15 pm |
| July 25 |
South Africa vs New Zealand |
Bloemfontein |
10:55 am |
6 pm |
| Aug 1 |
South Africa vs New Zealand |
Durban |
10:55 am |
3 pm |
| Aug 8 |
South Africa vs Australia |
Cape Town |
10:55 am |
6:45 pm |
| Aug 22 |
Australia vs New Zealand* |
Sydney |
6 am |
5 pm |
| Aug 29 |
Australia vs South Africa* |
Perth |
6 am |
5 pm |
| Sept 5 |
Australia vs South Africa |
Brisbane |
6:05 am |
TBA |
| Sept 12 |
New Zealand vs South Africa |
Hamilton |
3:35 am |
TBA |
| Sept 19 |
New Zealand vs Australia |
Wellington |
3:35 am |
TBA |
*These two matches will be airing live on Setanta Xtra (Channel 622 on DIRECTV)