Matfield Seeks Return to Tri-Nations Glory [Eire Region]
Summary
JUST weeks after their series victory over the Lions, world champions South Africa are ready to break New Zealand's hold on the Tri-Nations trophy. Only last weekend Graham Henry's All Blacks won their opening game against Australia as they chase their fifth consecutive title in the southern hemisphere. And while the All Blacks' patchy beginning to the international season included a home defeat to France last month, their second-half comeback against the Wallabies suggests their form is returning at the right time. The formbook will give both teams with confidence heading into today's clash (KO 4pm Sky Sports Extra), the setting of Bloemfontein allows for more startling reading. The Boks have lost only once in the city since professionalism began, but curiously their best result against the All Blacks came in the shape of an 11-11 draw in 1960 at the Free State Stadium -- today's venue. However, Boks second row Victor Matfield is set on winning his country's first title since 2004.
'It is important to win your home games if you want to do well in the Tri-Nations,' he said. 'So it is crucial that we get off to a successful start and play well from the outset.'See the full content of this document
Extract
Matfield Seeks Return to Tri-Nations Glory [Eire Region]
New Zealand will aim to stop the Springboks from getting off ...
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