Records fail to hide Tri-Nations letdown

26th edition of the annual southern hemisphere Rugby Championship

- MATT McILRAITH

So, what did we learn? While many aspects of the 26th edition of the annual southern hemisphere Rugby Championship were unique, the competition itself started well before petering out.

Some perceptions were reaffirmed, but just as many questions about the state of the three participants who did show up remain.

South Africa’s absence, while as much about reputation and lack of preparation time as it was travel restrictions, robbed the competition of its biggest drawcard. The Rugby World Cup winners’ no-show denied the All Blacks in particular, of the opportunity to measure themselves against the side now rated the global yardstick.

While New Zealand might have lost just three times against their traditional rival from 20 contests in the last decade, this is a new All Black era, and the jury is very much out on whether it is going to be a good one, after the first sighting.

The likely trajectory of Australia, too, remains guesswork. Dave Rennie started his tenure as Wallaby coach with a win, three draws and two defeats, from a generally unsatisfactory first six outings, four of which were at home in the first tournament to have been played entirely in one country.

But for a trio of missed goal kicks by utility back Reece Hodge, at the back end of each of the draws, the world’s sixth-ranked team could have had a much better return. It could also have been much, much, worse.