View source for 2004 Tri Nations Series

{{Use British English|date=May 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox rugby tournament
| name = 2004 Tri Nations Series
| country = 
| image =
| caption = Official logo
| champion = South Africa
| count = 2
| bledisloe cup = {{ru|NZL}}
| freedom cup = {{ru|RSA}}
| matches = 6
| tries = 32
| attendance = 313029
| top scorer =
| most tries = 
| preceded by = [[2003 Tri Nations Series|2003]]
| succeeded by = [[2005 Tri Nations Series|2005]]
| champdest = 1
}}

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 [[SANZAAR|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.

==Synopsis==
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.

==Aftermath==

===New Zealand===
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.

===South Africa===
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 Rugby Union World Cup|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.

==Format==
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

==Table==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!rowspan=2|Nation
!colspan=4|Games
!colspan=3|Points
!rowspan=2|Bonus<br/>points
!rowspan=2|Table<br/>points
|-
!Played
!Won
!Drawn
!Lost
!For
!Against
!Difference
|-
|align=left|{{ru|RSA}}
|4||2||0||2||110||98||+12||3||'''11'''
|-
|align=left|{{ru|AUS}}
|4||2||0||2||79||83||−4||2||'''10'''
|-
|align=left|{{ru|NZL}}
|4||2||0||2||83||91||−8||1||'''9'''
|}

==Results==

===Round 1===

{{rugbybox
|date=17 July 2004
|time=19:35 [[New Zealand Standard Time|NZST]] ([[UTC+12]])
|team1={{ru-rt|NZL}}
|score=16–7
|team2={{ru|AUS}}
|try1=[[Doug Howlett|Howlett]]
|con1=[[Dan Carter|Carter]]
|pen1=[[Dan Carter|Carter]] (3)
|try2=[[Stirling Mortlock|Mortlock]]
|con2=[[Matt Giteau|Giteau]]
|stadium=[[Wellington Regional Stadium]], [[Wellington]]
|attendance = 38,000<ref>{{cite web |title=New Zealand 16 - 7 Australia |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/tri-nations-2008/rugby/match/24744.html |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
|referee=[[Alain Rolland]] ([[Irish Rugby Football Union|Ireland]])
}}
{| style="width:100%"
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;width:50%"|
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|FB ||'''15'''||[[Mils Muliaina]]
|-
|RW ||'''14'''||[[Doug Howlett]]
|-
|OC ||'''13'''||[[Tana Umaga]] ([[Captain (sports)|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]]
|-
|colspan="3"|'''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 (rugby union)|Nick Evans]]
|-
|CE ||'''22'''||[[Sam Tuitupou]]
|-
|colspan=3|'''Coach:'''
|-
|colspan="3"| {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Graham Henry]]
|}
|style="vertical-align:top|
|style="vertical-align:top;width:50%"|
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="margin:auto"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|FB ||'''15'''||[[Chris Latham (rugby union)|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 (rugby union, born 1980)|David Lyons]]
|-
|OF ||'''7''' ||[[Phil Waugh]]
|-
|BF ||'''6''' ||[[Radike Samo]]
|-
|RL ||'''5''' ||[[Nathan Sharpe]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
|-
|LL ||'''4''' ||[[Justin Harrison]]
|-
|TP ||'''3''' ||[[Al Baxter]]
|-
|HK ||'''2''' ||[[Brendan Cannon]]
|-
|LP ||'''1''' ||[[Bill Young (rugby union)|Bill Young]]
|-
|colspan="3"|'''Replacements:'''
|-
|HK ||'''16'''||[[Jeremy Paul (rugby union)|Jeremy Paul]]
|-
|PR ||'''17'''||[[Matt Dunning]]
|-
|LK ||'''18'''||[[Dan Vickerman]]
|-
|FL ||'''19'''||[[George Smith (rugby union)|George Smith]]
|-
|SH ||'''20'''||[[Matt Henjak]]
|-
|FB ||'''21'''||[[Matt Burke (rugby union, born 1973)|Matt Burke]]
|-
|WG ||'''22'''||[[Wendell Sailor]]
|- 
|colspan="3"|'''Coach:'''
|- 
|colspan="3"|{{flagdeco|AUS}} [[Eddie Jones (rugby union)|Eddie Jones]]
|}
|}
{| style="width:100%"
|}
----

===Round 2===

{{rugbybox
|date=24 July 2004
|time=19:35 [[New Zealand Standard Time|NZST]] ([[UTC+12]])
|team1={{ru-rt|NZL}}
|score=23–21
|team2={{ru|RSA}} (1 BP)
|try1=[[Doug Howlett|Howlett]]
|pen1=[[Dan Carter|Carter]] (5)<br />[[Carlos Spencer]]
|try2=[[Jean de Villiers|De Villiers]]<br />[[Jacques Cronjé|Cronjé]]<br />[[Fourie du Preez|du Preez]]
|con2=[[Percy Montgomery|Montgomery]] (3)
|stadium=[[Lancaster Park]], [[Christchurch]]
|attendance = 34,000<ref>{{cite web |title=New Zealand 23 - 21 South Africa |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/tri-nations-2008/rugby/match/24746.html |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
|referee=[[Andrew Cole (rugby union)|Andrew Cole]] ([[Australian Rugby Union|Australia]])
}}
{| style="width:100%"
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;width:50%"|
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|FB ||'''15'''||[[Mils Muliaina]]
|-
|RW ||'''14'''||[[Doug Howlett]]
|-
|OC ||'''13'''||[[Tana Umaga]] ([[Captain (sports)|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]]
|-
|colspan="3"|'''Replacements:'''
|-
|HK ||'''16'''||[[Andrew Hore]]
|-
|PR ||'''17'''||[[Tony Woodcock (rugby union)|Tony Woodcock]]
|-
|LK ||'''18'''||[[Ali Williams]]
|-
|FL ||'''19'''||[[Craig Newby]]
|-
|SH ||'''20'''||[[Byron Kelleher]]
|-
|CE ||'''21'''||[[Sam Tuitupou]]
|-
|FH ||'''22'''||[[Nick Evans (rugby union)|Nick Evans]]
|-
|colspan=3|'''Coach:'''
|-
|colspan="3"| {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Graham Henry]]
|}
|style="vertical-align:top|
|style="vertical-align:top;width:50%"|
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="margin:auto"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|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 (rugby union)|Albert van den Berg]]
|-
|LL ||'''4''' ||[[Bakkies Botha]]
|-
|TP ||'''3''' ||[[Eddie Andrews]]
|-
|HK ||'''2''' ||[[John Smit]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
|-
|LP ||'''1''' ||[[Os du Randt]]
|-
|colspan="3"|'''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]]
|- 
|colspan="3"|'''Coach:'''
|- 
|colspan="3"|{{flagdeco|RSA}} [[Jake White]]
|}
|}
{| style="width:100%"
|}
----

===Round 3===

{{rugbybox
|date=31 July 2004
|time=18:00 [[Time in Australia|AWST]] ([[UTC+08]])
|team1=(1 BP) {{ru-rt|AUS}}
|score=30–26
|team2={{ru|RSA}} (1 BP)
|try1=[[Lote Tuqiri|Tuqiri]]<br />[[Stephen Larkham|Larkham]]<br />[[Chris Latham (rugby player)|Latham]]<br />[[Clyde Rathbone|Rathbone]]
|con1=[[Matt Giteau|Giteau]]<br />[[Matt Burke (rugby union, born 1973)|Burke]]
|pen1=[[Matt Giteau|Giteau]] (2)
|try2=[[Jaco van der Westhuyzen|Van der Westhuyzen]]<br />[[Jean de Villiers|De Villiers]]<br />[[Gaffie du Toit|Du Toit]]
|con2=[[Percy Montgomery|Montgomery]]
|pen2=[[Percy Montgomery|Montgomery]] (3)
|stadium=[[Subiaco Oval]], [[Perth]]
|attendance = 42,507<ref>{{cite web |title=Australia 30 - 26 South Africa |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/tri-nations-2008/rugby/match/24748.html |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
|referee=[[Chris White (referee)|Chris White]] ([[Rugby Football Union|England]])
}}
{| style="width:100%"
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;width:50%"|
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|FB ||'''15'''||[[Chris Latham (rugby union)|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]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
|-
|N8 ||'''8''' ||[[David Lyons (rugby union, born 1980)|David Lyons]]
|-
|OF ||'''7''' ||[[Phil Waugh]]
|-
|BF ||'''6''' ||[[George Smith (rugby union)|George Smith]]
|-
|RL ||'''5''' ||[[Nathan Sharpe]]
|-
|LL ||'''4''' ||[[Justin Harrison]]
|-
|TP ||'''3''' ||[[Al Baxter]]
|-
|HK ||'''2''' ||[[Jeremy Paul (rugby union)|Jeremy Paul]]
|-
|LP ||'''1''' ||[[Bill Young (rugby union)|Bill Young]]
|-
|colspan="3"|'''Replacements:'''
|-
|HK ||'''16'''||[[Adam Freier]]
|-
|PR ||'''17'''||[[Matt Dunning]]
|-
|LK ||'''18'''||[[Dan Vickerman]]
|-
|N8 ||'''19'''||[[John Roe (rugby union)|John Roe]]
|-
|SH ||'''20'''||[[Chris Whitaker]]
|-
|FB ||'''21'''||[[Matt Burke (rugby union, born 1973)|Matt Burke]]
|-
|WG ||'''22'''||[[Wendell Sailor]]
|- 
|colspan="3"|'''Coach:'''
|- 
|colspan="3"|{{flagdeco|AUS}} [[Eddie Jones (rugby union)|Eddie Jones]]
|}
|style="vertical-align:top|
|style="vertical-align:top;width:50%"|
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="margin:auto"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|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]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
|-
|LP ||'''1''' ||[[Os du Randt]]
|-
|colspan="3"|'''Replacements:'''
|-
|HK ||'''16'''||[[Hanyani Shimange]]
|-
|PR ||'''17'''||[[CJ van der Linde]]
|-
|LK ||'''18'''||[[Albert van den Berg (rugby union)|Albert van den Berg]]
|-
|N8 ||'''19'''||[[Joe van Niekerk]]
|-
|SH ||'''20'''||[[Bolla Conradie]]
|-
|FH ||'''21'''||[[Gaffie du Toit]]
|-
|WG ||'''22'''||[[Brent Russell]]
|- 
|colspan="3"|'''Coach:'''
|- 
|colspan="3"|{{flagdeco|RSA}} [[Jake White]]
|}
|}
{| style="width:100%"
|}
----

===Round 4===

{{rugbybox　
|date=7 August 2004
|time=20:00 [[Time in Australia|AEST]] ([[UTC+10]])
|team1={{ru-rt|AUS}}
|score=23–18
|team2={{ru|NZL}} (1 BP)
|try1=[[Lote Tuqiri|Tuqiri]]
|pen1=[[Matt Burke (rugby union, born 1973)|Burke]] (2)<br />[[Matt Giteau|Giteau]] (4)
|pen2=[[Dan Carter|Carter]] (4)<br />[[Carlos Spencer|Spencer]]<br />[[Andrew Mehrtens|Mehrtens]]
|stadium=[[Stadium Australia]], Sydney
|attendance = 83,418<ref>{{cite web |title=Australia 23 - 18 New Zealand |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/tri-nations-2008/rugby/match/24750.html |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
|referee=[[Jonathan Kaplan (rugby union)|Jonathan Kaplan]] ([[South African Rugby Union|South Africa]])
}}
{| style="width:100%"
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;width:50%"|
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|FB ||'''15'''||[[Chris Latham (rugby union)|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]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
|-
|N8 ||'''8''' ||[[David Lyons (rugby union, born 1980)|David Lyons]]
|-
|OF ||'''7''' ||[[Phil Waugh]]
|-
|BF ||'''6''' ||[[George Smith (rugby union)|George Smith]]
|-
|RL ||'''5''' ||[[Nathan Sharpe]]
|-
|LL ||'''4''' ||[[Justin Harrison]]
|-
|TP ||'''3''' ||[[Al Baxter]]
|-
|HK ||'''2''' ||[[Brendan Cannon]]
|-
|LP ||'''1''' ||[[Bill Young (rugby union)|Bill Young]]
|-
|colspan="3"|'''Replacements:'''
|-
|HK ||'''16'''||[[Jeremy Paul (rugby union)|Jeremy Paul]]
|-
|PR ||'''17'''||[[Matt Dunning]]
|-
|LK ||'''18'''||[[Dan Vickerman]]
|-
|N8 ||'''19'''||[[John Roe (rugby union)|John Roe]]
|-
|SH ||'''20'''||[[Chris Whitaker]]
|-
|FB ||'''21'''||[[Matt Burke (rugby union, born 1973)|Matt Burke]]
|-
|WG ||'''22'''||[[Wendell Sailor]]
|- 
|colspan="3"|'''Coach:'''
|- 
|colspan="3"|{{flagdeco|AUS}} [[Eddie Jones (rugby union)|Eddie Jones]]
|}
|style="vertical-align:top|
|style="vertical-align:top;width:50%"|
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="margin:auto"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|FB ||'''15'''||[[Mils Muliaina]]
|-
|RW ||'''14'''||[[Doug Howlett]]
|-
|OC ||'''13'''||[[Tana Umaga]] ([[Captain (sports)|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]]
|-
|colspan="3"|'''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]]
|-
|colspan=3|'''Coach:'''
|-
|colspan="3"| {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Graham Henry]]
|}
|}
{| style="width:100%"
|}
----

===Round 5===

{{rugbybox
|date=14 August 2004
|time=15:00 [[South Africa Standard Time|SAST]] ([[UTC+02]])
|team1=(1 BP) {{ru-rt|RSA}}
|score=40–26
|team2={{ru|NZL}}
|try1=[[Marius Joubert|Joubert]] (3)<br />[[Breyton Paulse|Paulse]]<br />[[Jean de Villiers|De Villiers]]
|con1=[[Percy Montgomery|Montgomery]] (3)
|pen1=[[Percy Montgomery|Montgomery]] (3)
|try2=[[Mils Muliaina|Muliaina]]<br />[[Joe Rokocoko|Rokocoko]]
|con2=[[Andrew Mehrtens|Mehrtens]] (2)
|pen2=[[Andrew Mehrtens|Mehrtens]] (4)
|stadium=[[Ellis Park Stadium]], [[Johannesburg]]
|attendance = 62,857<ref>{{cite web |title=South Africa 40 - 26 New Zealand |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/tri-nations-2008/rugby/match/24751.html |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
|referee=[[Nigel Williams (rugby union)|Nigel Williams]] ([[Welsh Rugby Union|Wales]]){{#tag:ref|Replaced by [[Donal Courtney (rugby union)|Donal Courtney]] ([[Irish Rugby Football Union|Ireland]])|group="nb"}}
}}
{| style="width:100%"
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;width:50%"|
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|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]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
|-
|LP ||'''1''' ||[[Os du Randt]]
|-
|colspan="3"|'''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]]
|- 
|colspan="3"|'''Coach:'''
|- 
|colspan="3"|{{flagdeco|RSA}} [[Jake White]]
|}
|style="vertical-align:top|
|style="vertical-align:top;width:50%"|
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="margin:auto"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|FB ||'''15'''||[[Mils Muliaina]]
|-
|RW ||'''14'''||[[Doug Howlett]]
|-
|OC ||'''13'''||[[Tana Umaga]] ([[Captain (sports)|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]]
|-
|colspan="3"|'''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 (rugby union)|Nick Evans]]
|-
|CE ||'''22'''||[[Aaron Mauger]]
|-
|colspan=3|'''Coach:'''
|-
|colspan="3"| {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Graham Henry]]
|}
|}
{| style="width:100%"
|}
----

===Round 6===

{{rugbybox
|date=21 August 2004
|time=15:00 [[South Africa Standard Time|SAST]] ([[UTC+02]])
|team1={{ru-rt|RSA}}
|score=23–19
|team2={{ru|AUS}} (1 BP)
|try1=[[Victor Matfield|Matfield]]<br />[[Joe van Niekerk|Van Niekerk]]
|con1=[[Percy Montgomery|Montgomery]] (2)
|pen1=[[Percy Montgomery|Montgomery]] (3)
|try2=[[Lote Tuqiri|Tuqiri]]<br />[[Stirling Mortlock|Mortlock]]<br />[[George Smith (rugby player)|Smith]]
|con2=[[Matt Giteau|Giteau]] (2)
|stadium=[[Kings Park Stadium]], [[Durban]]
|attendance = 52,247<ref>{{cite web |title=South Africa 23 - 19 Australia |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/tri-nations-2008/rugby/match/24754.html |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref>
|referee=[[Paddy O'Brien (rugby referee)|Paddy O'Brien]] ([[New Zealand Rugby Union|New Zealand]])
}}
{| style="width:100%"
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;width:50%"|
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|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]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
|-
|LP ||'''1''' ||[[Os du Randt]]
|-
|colspan="3"|'''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]]
|- 
|colspan="3"|'''Coach:'''
|- 
|colspan="3"|{{flagdeco|RSA}} [[Jake White]]
|}
|style="vertical-align:top|
|style="vertical-align:top;width:50%"|
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="margin:auto"
|-
!width="25"| !!width="25"|
|-
|FB ||'''15'''||[[Chris Latham (rugby union)|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]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
|-
|N8 ||'''8''' ||[[David Lyons (rugby union, born 1980)|David Lyons]]
|-
|OF ||'''7''' ||[[Phil Waugh]]
|-
|BF ||'''6''' ||[[George Smith (rugby union)|George Smith]]
|-
|RL ||'''5''' ||[[Justin Harrison]]
|-
|LL ||'''4''' ||[[Nathan Sharpe]]
|-
|TP ||'''3''' ||[[Al Baxter]]
|-
|HK ||'''2''' ||[[Brendan Cannon]]
|-
|LP ||'''1''' ||[[Bill Young (rugby union)|Bill Young]]
|-
|colspan="3"|'''Replacements:'''
|-
|HK ||'''16'''||[[Jeremy Paul (rugby union)|Jeremy Paul]]
|-
|PR ||'''17'''||[[Matt Dunning]]
|-
|LK ||'''18'''||[[Dan Vickerman]]
|-
|N8 ||'''19'''||[[John Roe (rugby union)|John Roe]]
|-
|SH ||'''20'''||[[Chris Whitaker]]
|-
|FB ||'''21'''||[[Matt Burke (rugby union, born 1973)|Matt Burke]]
|-
|WG ||'''22'''||[[Wendell Sailor]]
|- 
|colspan="3"|'''Coach:'''
|- 
|colspan="3"|{{flagdeco|AUS}} [[Eddie Jones (rugby union)|Eddie Jones]]
|}
|}
{| style="width:100%"
|}

==Scorers==
{{col-begin|width=80%}}
{{col-2}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Leading try scorers
|-
! Pos !! Name !! Tries !! Pld !! Team
|- bgcolor="#d0ffd0"
|rowspan=2| 1
|align="left"| [[Jean de Villiers]] || '''3''' || 4 || align="left"| {{ru|RSA}}
|- bgcolor="#d0ffd0"
|align="left"| [[Marius Joubert]] || '''3''' || 4 || align="left"| {{ru|RSA}}
|- bgcolor="#d0ffd0"
| 3
|align="left"| [[Lote Tuqiri]] || '''3''' || 4 || align="left"| {{ru|AUS}}
|}

{{col-2}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Leading point scorers
|-
! Pos !! Name !! Points !! Pld !! Team
|- bgcolor="#d0ffd0"
| 1 ||align="left"| [[Percy Montgomery]] || '''45''' || 4 || align="left"| {{ru|RSA}}
|-
| 2 ||align="left"| [[Dan Carter]] || '''38''' || 3 || align="left"| {{ru|NZL}}
|-
| 3 ||align="left"| [[Matt Giteau]] || '''26''' || 4 || align="left"| {{ru|AUS}}
|}
{{col-end}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group="nb"}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080722115345/http://www.rugby.com.au/qantas_wallabies/trophies/tri_nations_trophy,157.html Tri Nations] at Rugby.com.au

{{The Rugby Championship}}

[[Category:The Rugby Championship]]
[[Category:2004 in Australian rugby union|Tri]]
[[Category:2004 in New Zealand rugby union|Tri]]
[[Category:2004 in South African rugby union|Tri Nations Series]]
[[Category:2004 rugby union tournaments for national teams|Tri]]