2010 Tri Nations Series
# 2010 Tri Nations Series

The 2010 Tri Nations Series was the 15th annual Tri Nations series between the national rugby union teams of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

New Zealand clinched the series crown with one match remaining, scoring two tries in the last 3 minutes to defeat South Africa 29–22 on 21 August in the first-ever Test at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. The 2010 Tri-Nations season has seen new records set by the All Blacks; they are the first team to finish undefeated since the expansion of the tournament to 9 rounds, and have seen the highest number of tries and overall points in the history of the tournament.

The series concluded 11 September 2010 with New Zealand's win over Australia 23–22. The 2011 series commenced on 23 July 2011 in Australia.

## Background

New Zealand, South Africa and Australia were ranked first, second, and third in the IRB World Rankings, but this changed due to Australia's 21–20 loss to England on 16 June 2010. This game moved Australia down to fourth in the IRB World Rankings but they returned to third in rankings a week later, after France's heavy defeat to Argentina and Australia's win against Ireland in the last week of the 2010 mid-year rugby test series.

The final match of the Bledisloe Cup series between Australia and New Zealand took place after the Tri-Nations, on 30 October (the first 3 matches of the series were part of the Tri-Nations).

## Standings

| Place | Nation | Games | Games | Games | Games | Points | Points | Points | Bonus points | Bonus points | Table points |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Place | Nation | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Diff | 4 Tries | 7 Point Loss | Table points |
| 1 | New Zealand | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 184 | 111 | +73 | 3 | 0 | 27 |
| 2 | Australia | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 162 | 188 | −26 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| 3 | South Africa | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 147 | 194 | −47 | 1 | 2 | 7 |

## Fixtures

All times are local

### New Zealand vs South Africa, Auckland

* 10 July 2010 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)

| New Zealand | 32–12 | South Africa |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Smith 18' c Nonu 35' c Read 56' c Woodcock 79' m Con: Carter (3/4) Pen: Carter (2/3) 13', 24' | Report | Pen: Steyn (4/4) 6', 41', 46', 60' |

* Eden Park, Auckland Attendance: 25,000 Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)

| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| - | - | - |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu |
| LW | 11 | Joe Rokocoko | 58' |
| FH | 10 | Dan Carter |
| SH | 9 | Jimmy Cowan | 54' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Jerome Kaino | 72' |
| RL | 5 | Tom Donnelly | 72' |
| LL | 4 | Brad Thorn |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 64' |
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu | 78' |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Corey Flynn | 78' |
| PR | 17 | Ben Franks | 64' |
| LK | 18 | Sam Whitelock | 72' |
| FL | 19 | Liam Messam | 72' |
| SH | 20 | Piri Weepu | 54' |
| FH | 21 | Aaron Cruden |
| WG | 22 | Richard Kahui | 58' |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||
| FB | 15 | Zane Kirchner |
| RW | 14 | Jean de Villiers |
| OC | 13 | Jaque Fourie |
| IC | 12 | Wynand Olivier | | 72' |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn | | 72' |
| SH | 9 | Ricky Januarie | | 76' |
| N8 | 8 | Pierre Spies |
| OF | 7 | Francois Louw | | 52' |
| BF | 6 | Schalk Burger |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Bakkies Botha | 13' to 23' | 52' |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis | | 59' |
| HK | 2 | John Smit (c) | | 72' |
| LP | 1 | Gurthrö Steenkamp |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Chiliboy Ralepelle | | 72' |
| PR | 17 | BJ Botha | | 59' |
| LK | 18 | Andries Bekker | | 52' |
| LK | 19 | Danie Rossouw | | 52' |
| SH | 20 | Ruan Pienaar | | 76' |
| FH | 21 | Butch James | | 72' |
| WG | 22 | Gio Aplon | | 72' |
| Coach: ||
| Peter de Villiers ||

Touch judges: Alain Rolland (Ireland) Stuart Dickinson (Australia) Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

* Following the match, Bakkies Botha was handed a nine-week suspension for headbutting Jimmy Cowan in the first minute of the match, an offence missed by referee Alan Lewis. The suspension sidelined Botha for the remainder of the Tri Nations.

### New Zealand vs South Africa, Wellington

* 17 July 2010 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)

| New Zealand | 31–17 | South Africa |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Nonu 7' m Muliaina 11' m Ranger 45' m Dagg 65' c Con: Carter (1/4) Pen: Carter (2/4) 30', 69' Weepu (1/1) 51' | Report | Try: Rossouw 36' c Burger 74' c Con: Steyn (2/2) Pen: Steyn (1/1) 42' |

* Westpac Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 36,000 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| - | - | - |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu | 73' |
| LW | 11 | Rene Ranger | 63' |
| FH | 10 | Dan Carter |
| SH | 9 | Piri Weepu | 63' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) | 76' |
| BF | 6 | Jerome Kaino |
| RL | 5 | Tom Donnelly | 63' |
| LL | 4 | Brad Thorn |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 70' |
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu | 76' |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Corey Flynn | 76' |
| PR | 17 | Ben Franks | 70' |
| LK | 18 | Sam Whitelock | 63' |
| FL | 19 | Liam Messam | 76' |
| SH | 20 | Jimmy Cowan | 63' |
| FH | 21 | Aaron Cruden | 73' |
| FB | 22 | Israel Dagg | 63' |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||
| FB | 15 | Zane Kirchner |
| RW | 14 | Jean de Villiers | | 40' |
| OC | 13 | Jaque Fourie |
| IC | 12 | Wynand Olivier |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn |
| SH | 9 | Ricky Januarie | | 53' |
| N8 | 8 | Pierre Spies | | 70' |
| OF | 7 | Francois Louw |
| BF | 6 | Schalk Burger |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Danie Rossouw | 4' to 14' | 53' |
| TP | 3 | CJ van der Linde | | 40' |
| HK | 2 | John Smit (c) | | 76' |
| LP | 1 | Gurthrö Steenkamp |
| Substitutes: ||
| HK | 16 | Chiliboy Ralepelle | | 76' |
| PR | 17 | BJ Botha | | 40' |
| LK | 18 | Andries Bekker | | 53' |
| N8 | 19 | Ryan Kankowski | | 70' |
| SH | 20 | Ruan Pienaar | | 53' |
| FH | 21 | Butch James |
| WG | 22 | Gio Aplon | | 40' |
| Coach: ||
| Peter de Villiers ||

Touch judges: Alan Lewis (Ireland) Stuart Dickinson (Australia) Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

* During this match the All Blacks became the highest point scorers in international rugby, passing France.
* Following the match, Jean de Villiers was handed a two-week suspension for a lifting tackle against Rene Ranger. De Villiers' previously good disciplinary record was cited as a mitigating factor with regard to the length of suspension. The suspension sidelined de Villiers for the Springboks' next match against Australia.

### Australia vs South Africa, Brisbane

* 24 July 2010 20:00 AEST (UTC+10)

| Australia | 30–13 | South Africa |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Mitchell 39' m Genia 75' c Con: O'Connor (1/1) Pen: Giteau (5/6) 14', 19', 23', 31', 42' O'Connor (1/1) 46' | Report | Try: Fourie 62' m Steenlamp 71' m Pen: Steyn (1/1) 17' |

* Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 44,284 Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

| FB | 15 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| - | - | - |
| RW | 14 | James O'Connor |
| OC | 13 | Rob Horne |
| IC | 12 | Matt Giteau | | 74' |
| LW | 11 | Drew Mitchell |
| FH | 10 | Quade Cooper | 54' to 64' |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia |
| N8 | 8 | Richard Brown | | 70' |
| OF | 7 | David Pocock |
| BF | 6 | Rocky Elsom (c) |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe |
| LL | 4 | Dean Mumm | | 68' |
| TP | 3 | Salesi Ma'afu |
| HK | 2 | Saia Fainga'a | | 54' |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson | | 58' |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Stephen Moore | | 54' |
| PR | 17 | James Slipper | | 58' |
| LK | 18 | Rob Simmons | | 68' |
| N8 | 19 | Ben McCalman | | 70' |
| SH | 20 | Luke Burgess |
| FH | 21 | Berrick Barnes | | 74' |
| FB | 22 | Kurtley Beale |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||
| FB | 15 | Zane Kirchner | |
| RW | 14 | Gio Aplon |
| OC | 13 | Jaque Fourie | 2' to 12' |
| IC | 12 | Wynand Olivier | | 54' |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn | | 54' |
| SH | 9 | Ruan Pienaar | | 72' |
| N8 | 8 | Pierre Spies | | 48' to 55' | 48' to 55' |
| BF | 7 | Ryan Kankowski | | 56' |
| OF | 6 | Schalk Burger |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Danie Rossouw | | 68' |
| TP | 3 | BJ Botha | 45' to 55' | 68' |
| HK | 2 | John Smit (c) | | 72' |
| LP | 1 | Gurthro Steenkamp |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Chiliboy Ralepelle | | 72' |
| PR | 17 | CJ van der Linde | | 48' | 55' | 68' |
| LK | 18 | Flip van der Merwe | | 68' |
| N8 | 19 | Dewald Potgieter | | 56' |
| SH | 20 | Francois Hougaard | | 72' |
| FH | 21 | Butch James | | 54' |
| FB | 22 | Juan de Jongh | | 54' |
| Coach: ||
| Peter de Villiers ||

* Touch judges:
* Keith Brown (New Zealand)
* Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
* Television match official:
* Matt Goddard (Australia)
* Following the match, two players, one from each team, were handed suspensions:
   * Jaque Fourie was suspended for four weeks for a spear tackle of Richard Brown. He will miss the Springboks' next Test against the All Blacks.
   * Quade Cooper was suspended for two weeks for a spear tackle of Morné Steyn. As in the case of Jean de Villiers last week, Cooper's previously good disciplinary history was cited as a mitigating factor. The Australian Rugby Union appealed the length of the ban, presumably because the suspensions of Fourie and de Villiers kept them out of only one Test, but was denied. Cooper was sidelined for the first two Bledisloe Cup Tests in Melbourne and Christchurch.

### Australia vs New Zealand, Melbourne

* 31 July 2010 20:00 AEST (UTC+10)

| Australia | 28–49 | New Zealand |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Mitchell 7' m Ashley-Cooper 55' c Elsom 69' c Con: Giteau (2/3) Pen: Giteau 3', 30' Barnes 17' | Report | Try: Carter 9' c Muliaina 12' m, 46' c McCaw 24' c Jane 35' c Rokocoko 58' m Flynn 79' m Con: Carter (4/7) Pen: Carter 6', 33' |

* Etihad Stadium, Melbourne Attendance: 51,409 Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

| FB | 15 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| - | - | - |
| RW | 14 | James O'Connor |
| OC | 13 | Rob Horne | | 55' |
| IC | 12 | Berrick Barnes |
| LW | 11 | Drew Mitchell | 28' 43' |
| FH | 10 | Matt Giteau | | 77' |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia | | 76' |
| N8 | 8 | Richard Brown |
| OF | 7 | David Pocock |
| BF | 6 | Rocky Elsom (c) |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe | | 47' |
| LL | 4 | Dean Mumm |
| TP | 3 | Salesi Ma'afu | | 59' |
| HK | 2 | Stephen Moore | | 48' |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Saia Fainga'a | | 48' |
| PR | 17 | James Slipper | | 59' |
| LK | 18 | Rob Simmons | | 47' |
| N8 | 19 | Matt Hodgson |
| SH | 20 | Luke Burgess | | 76' |
| FH | 21 | Anthony Fainga'a | | 77' |
| FB | 22 | Kurtley Beale | | 55' |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||
| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane | | 75' |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu | | 71' |
| LW | 11 | Joe Rokocoko |
| FH | 10 | Dan Carter |
| SH | 9 | Jimmy Cowan | | 33' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Jerome Kaino |
| RL | 5 | Tom Donnelly | | 74' |
| LL | 4 | Brad Thorn | | 60' |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 22' to 32' | 43' |
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu | | 71' |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Corey Flynn | | 71' |
| PR | 17 | Ben Franks | | 43' |
| LK | 18 | Sam Whitelock | | 60' |
| N8 | 19 | Victor Vito | | 74' |
| SH | 20 | Piri Weepu | | 33' |
| FH | 21 | Aaron Cruden | | 71' |
| FB | 22 | Israel Dagg | | 75' |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||

* Touch judges:
* Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
* Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
* Television match official:
* George Ayoub (Australia)
* Following the match, IRB referee chief Paddy O'Brien announced that Cobus Wessels would be dropped as a touch judge for the upcoming New Zealand–Australia Test because of a number of key errors, most notably Wessels' recommendation that Wallabies wing Drew Mitchell receive the first of his two yellow cards for what O'Brien deemed a marginal penalty. As a result, the IRB made a one-off exception to its standard policy of requiring neutral touch judges and referees for international matches, assigning New Zealander Keith Brown to take Wessels' place.

### New Zealand vs Australia, Christchurch

* 7 August 2010 19:35 NZST (UTC+12)

| New Zealand | 20–10 | Australia |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Muliaina 6' c Smith 13' c Con: Carter (2/2) Pen: Carter (2/2) 34', 70' | Report | Try: Beale 9' c Con: Giteau (1/1) Pen: Giteau (1/2) 18' |

* AMI Stadium, Christchurch Attendance: 38,628 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)

| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| - | - | - |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu |
| LW | 11 | Joe Rokocoko |
| FH | 10 | Dan Carter |
| SH | 9 | Piri Weepu | 75' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Jerome Kaino | 70' |
| RL | 5 | Tom Donnelly | 50' |
| LL | 4 | Brad Thorn |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 42' |
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu | 76' |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Corey Flynn | 76' |
| PR | 17 | Ben Franks | 42' |
| LK | 18 | Sam Whitelock | 50' |
| N8 | 19 | Victor Vito | 70' |
| SH | 20 | Alby Mathewson | 75' |
| FH | 21 | Aaron Cruden |
| FB | 22 | Benson Stanley |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||
| FB | 15 | Kurtley Beale |
| RW | 14 | James O'Connor |
| OC | 13 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| IC | 12 | Anthony Fainga'a |
| LW | 11 | Drew Mitchell |
| FH | 10 | Matt Giteau |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia |
| N8 | 8 | Richard Brown | 55' |
| OF | 7 | David Pocock |
| BF | 6 | Rocky Elsom (c) |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe | 65' |
| LL | 4 | Dean Mumm |
| TP | 3 | Salesi Ma'afu | 64' |
| HK | 2 | Saia Fainga'a |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Stephen Moore |
| PR | 17 | James Slipper | 64' |
| LK | 18 | Rob Simmons | 65' |
| N8 | 19 | Matt Hodgson | 55' |
| SH | 20 | Luke Burgess |
| FH | 21 | Berrick Barnes |
| FB | 22 | Cameron Shepherd |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||

* Touch judges:
* Craig Joubert (South Africa)
* Keith Brown (New Zealand)
* Television match official:
* Cobus Wessels (South Africa)

### South Africa vs New Zealand, Johannesburg

* 21 August 2010 17:00 SAST (UTC+02)

| South Africa | 22–29 | New Zealand |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Burger 24' c Con: Steyn (1/1) Pen: Steyn (5/5) 10', 12', 31', 43', 62' | Report | Try: Woodcock 36' m McCaw 77' m Dagg 79' c Con: Carter (1/3) Pen: Carter (4/6) 5', 19', 27', 66' |

* FNB Stadium, Johannesburg Attendance: 94,713 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

| FB | 15 | Gio Aplon |
| - | - | - |
| RW | 14 | JP Pietersen |
| OC | 13 | Juan de Jongh |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn |
| SH | 9 | Francois Hougaard | 76' |
| N8 | 8 | Pierre Spies |
| OF | 7 | Juan Smith | 58' |
| BF | 6 | Schalk Burger |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Flip van der Merwe | 69' |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis | 62' |
| HK | 2 | John Smit (c) |
| LP | 1 | Gurthro Steenkamp |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Chiliboy Ralepelle |
| PR | 17 | CJ van der Linde | 62' |
| LK | 18 | Danie Rossouw | 69' |
| N8 | 19 | Francois Louw | 58' |
| SH | 20 | Ricky Januarie | 76' |
| FH | 21 | Butch James |
| FB | 22 | Wynand Olivier |
| Coach: ||
| Peter de Villiers ||
| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu |
| LW | 11 | Joe Rokocoko | 57' |
| FH | 10 | Dan Carter |
| SH | 9 | Jimmy Cowan | 42' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Jerome Kaino | 70' |
| RL | 5 | Tom Donnelly | 49' |
| LL | 4 | Brad Thorn |
| TP | 3 | Ben Franks | 62' |
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Corey Flynn |
| PR | 17 | John Afoa | 62' |
| LK | 18 | Sam Whitelock | 49' |
| N8 | 19 | Victor Vito | 70' |
| SH | 20 | Piri Weepu | 42' |
| FH | 21 | Aaron Cruden |
| FB | 22 | Israel Dagg | 57' |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||

* Touch judges:
* Alain Rolland (Ireland)
* Simon McDowell (Ireland)
* Television match official:
* Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
* Springboks captain John Smit became the second Springbok to earn 100 Test caps, after Percy Montgomery.
* The result of this match meant that the All Blacks took the 2010 Tri-Nations title with one match remaining, as well as the Freedom Cup.
* This game also marked the All Blacks' 1000th win in international rugby, including non-Test matches.

### South Africa vs Australia, Pretoria

* 28 August 2010 17:00 SAST (UTC+02)

| South Africa | 44–31 | Australia |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Smith 8' c Steenkamp 13' c Spies 31' c F. Steyn 49' c Pietersen 79' c Con: M. Steyn (4/4) James (1/1) Pen: M. Steyn (2/2) 19', 45' F. Steyn (1/1) 67' | Report | Try: Genia 2' c O'Connor (2) 5' c, 10' c Mumm 25' c Con: Giteau (4/4) Pen: Giteau (1/2) 47' |

* Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Attendance: 43,152 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

| FB | 15 | François Steyn |
| - | - | - |
| RW | 14 | JP Pietersen |
| OC | 13 | Jaque Fourie |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn | 64' |
| SH | 9 | Francois Hougaard |
| N8 | 8 | Pierre Spies |
| OF | 7 | Juan Smith |
| BF | 6 | Schalk Burger |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Flip van der Merwe | 48' |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis | 53' |
| HK | 2 | John Smit (c) | 59' | 79' |
| LP | 1 | Gurthro Steenkamp |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Chiliboy Ralepelle | 59' |
| PR | 17 | CJ van der Linde | 53' | 79' |
| LK | 18 | Danie Rossouw | 48' |
| N8 | 19 | Ryan Kankowski |
| SH | 20 | Ricky Januarie |
| FH | 21 | Butch James | 64' |
| FB | 22 | Juan de Jongh |
| Coach: ||
| Peter de Villiers ||
| FB | 15 | Kurtley Beale |
| RW | 14 | James O'Connor |
| OC | 13 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| IC | 12 | Matt Giteau |
| LW | 11 | Drew Mitchell |
| FH | 10 | Quade Cooper |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia |
| N8 | 8 | Richard Brown | 57' |
| OF | 7 | David Pocock |
| BF | 6 | Rocky Elsom (c) |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe | 64' |
| LL | 4 | Dean Mumm |
| TP | 3 | Salesi Ma'afu | 54' |
| HK | 2 | Saia Fainga'a | 27' to 38' | 27' to 38' |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Stephen Moore | 27' | 38' |
| PR | 17 | James Slipper | 54' |
| LK | 18 | Ben McCalman | 57' |
| N8 | 19 | Rob Simmons | 64' |
| SH | 20 | Luke Burgess |
| FH | 21 | Berrick Barnes |
| FB | 22 | Anthony Fainga'a |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||

* Touch judges:
* Nigel Owens (Wales)
* Simon McDowell (Ireland)
* Television match official:
* Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
* For the second straight week, a Springbok earned his 100th Test cap, with Victor Matfield reaching this milestone.

### South Africa vs Australia, Bloemfontein

* 4 September 2010 17:00 SAST (UTC+02)

| South Africa | 39–41 | Australia |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Fourie 39' Steenkamp 45' de Villiers 53' Con: M. Steyn (3/3) 40', 45', 54' Pen: M. Steyn (6/6) 5', 17', 49', 60', 69', 75' | Report | Try: Beale 7' O'Connor 13' Moore 20' Elsom 24' Mitchell 71' Con: Giteau (4/4) 8', 14', 21', 25' O'Connor (1/1) 72' Pen: Giteau (1/1) 1' Beale (1/1) 79' |

* Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein Attendance: 38,523 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

| FB | 15 | François Steyn |
| - | - | - |
| RW | 14 | JP Pietersen |
| OC | 13 | Jaque Fourie |
| IC | 12 | Jean de Villiers |
| LW | 11 | Bryan Habana | 50' |
| FH | 10 | Morné Steyn |
| SH | 9 | Francois Hougaard |
| N8 | 8 | Pierre Spies | 65' |
| OF | 7 | Juan Smith |
| BF | 6 | Schalk Burger |
| RL | 5 | Victor Matfield |
| LL | 4 | Danie Rossouw | 60' |
| TP | 3 | Jannie du Plessis | 55' |
| HK | 2 | John Smit (c) | 65' |
| LP | 1 | Gurthrö Steenkamp |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Chiliboy Ralepelle | 65' |
| PR | 17 | CJ van der Linde | 55' |
| LK | 18 | Flip van der Merwe | 60' |
| N8 | 19 | Ryan Kankowski | 65' |
| SH | 20 | Ricky Januarie |
| FH | 21 | Juan de Jongh |
| FB | 22 | Gio Aplon | 50' |
| Coach: ||
| Peter de Villiers ||
| FB | 15 | Kurtley Beale |
| RW | 14 | James O'Connor |
| OC | 13 | Adam Ashley-Cooper |
| IC | 12 | Matt Giteau | 71' |
| LW | 11 | Drew Mitchell | 73' |
| FH | 10 | Quade Cooper |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia | 54' |
| N8 | 8 | Ben McCalman |
| OF | 7 | David Pocock |
| BF | 6 | Rocky Elsom (c) |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe |
| LL | 4 | Mark Chisholm | 53' |
| TP | 3 | Salesi Ma'afu | 22' |
| HK | 2 | Stephen Moore | 65' |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Saia Fainga'a | 65' |
| PR | 17 | James Slipper | 22' |
| LK | 18 | Dean Mumm | 53' |
| N8 | 19 | Richard Brown |
| SH | 20 | Luke Burgess | 54' |
| FH | 21 | Berrick Barnes | 71' |
| FB | 22 | Anthony Fainga'a | 73' |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||

* Touch judges:
* Nigel Owens (Wales)
* Simon McDowell (Ireland)
* Television match official:
* Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
* This was the Wallabies' first win on the Highveld since 1963.
* John Smit earned his 102nd Test cap, equalling the South Africa record of Percy Montgomery.
* Morné Steyn extended his personal streak of successful kicks at goal in Tests to 38. Statistics on success rates of goal kickers were not kept until the late 1980s, but it is very likely that Steyn has set an all-time record. Steyn surpassed the previous (recorded) best of Scotland's Chris Paterson at 36.

### Australia vs New Zealand, Sydney

* 11 September 2010 20:00 AEST (UTC+10)

| Australia | 22–23 | New Zealand |
| - | - | - |
| Try: O'Connor 16' Ashley-Cooper 46' Pen: Giteau (3/) 6', 31', 40' Beale (1/1) 59' | Report | Try: McCaw 67' Read 73' Con: Weepu (2/2) 68', 73' Pen: Weepu (3/3) 2', 10', 52' |

* ANZ Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 70,288 Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)

| FB | 15 | Kurtley Beale |
| - | - | - |
| RW | 14 | James O'Connor |
| OC | 13 | Adam Ashley-Cooper | 79' |
| IC | 12 | Matt Giteau |
| LW | 11 | Lachie Turner |
| FH | 10 | Quade Cooper | 73' |
| SH | 9 | Will Genia | 72' |
| N8 | 8 | Ben McCalman | 73' |
| OF | 7 | David Pocock |
| BF | 6 | Rocky Elsom (c) |
| RL | 5 | Nathan Sharpe |
| LL | 4 | Mark Chisholm | 56' |
| TP | 3 | Salesi Ma'afu | 52' |
| HK | 2 | Stephen Moore |
| LP | 1 | Benn Robinson |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Huia Edmonds |
| PR | 17 | James Slipper | 52' |
| LK | 18 | Dean Mumm | 56' |
| N8 | 19 | Richard Brown | 73' |
| SH | 20 | Luke Burgess | 72' |
| FH | 21 | Berrick Barnes | 73' |
| IC | 22 | Anthony Fainga'a | 79' |
| Coach: ||
| Robbie Deans ||
| FB | 15 | Mils Muliaina |
| RW | 14 | Cory Jane | 69' |
| OC | 13 | Conrad Smith |
| IC | 12 | Ma'a Nonu |
| LW | 11 | Israel Dagg |
| FH | 10 | Aaron Cruden | 60' |
| SH | 9 | Piri Weepu | 79' |
| N8 | 8 | Kieran Read |
| OF | 7 | Richie McCaw (c) |
| BF | 6 | Victor Vito | 49' |
| RL | 5 | Tom Donnelly | 61' |
| LL | 4 | Brad Thorn |
| TP | 3 | Owen Franks | 61' |
| HK | 2 | Keven Mealamu | 11' |
| LP | 1 | Tony Woodcock |
| Replacements: ||
| HK | 16 | Corey Flynn | 11' |
| PR | 17 | John Afoa | 61' |
| LK | 18 | Anthony Boric | 61' |
| N8 | 19 | Jerome Kaino | 49' |
| SH | 20 | Jimmy Cowan | 79' |
| FH | 21 | Colin Slade | 60' |
| WG | 22 | Rene Ranger | 69' |
| Coach: ||
| Graham Henry ||

* Touch judges:
* Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
* Christie du Preez (South Africa)
* Television match official:
* Matt Goddard (Australia)

    Source: Tri Nations Web
* This test was a milestone for Richie McCaw, who surpassed Sean Fitzpatrick as the most-capped New Zealand captain.
* The win is the 10th win in a row for New Zealand over Australia, a new record.
* New Zealand are the first team in the Tri Nations series to win undefeated since 2003, and set records for the most points (184) and tries scored (22).

## Player statistics

### Leading try scorers

Top try scorers :

| Pos | Name | Team | Tries |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Mils Muliaina | New Zealand | 4 |
| 1 | James O'Connor | Australia | 4 |
| 3 | Richie McCaw | New Zealand | 3 |
| 3 | Drew Mitchell | Australia | 3 |
| 3 | Gurthrö Steenkamp | South Africa | 3 |
| 6 | Adam Ashley-Cooper | Australia | 2 |
| 6 | Kurtley Beale | Australia | 2 |
| 6 | Schalk Burger | South Africa | 2 |
| 6 | Israel Dagg | New Zealand | 2 |
| 6 | Rocky Elsom | Australia | 2 |
| 6 | Jaque Fourie | South Africa | 2 |
| 6 | Will Genia | Australia | 2 |
| 6 | Ma'a Nonu | New Zealand | 2 |
| 6 | Kieran Read | New Zealand | 2 |
| 6 | Conrad Smith | New Zealand | 2 |
| 6 | Tony Woodcock | New Zealand | 2 |

Source: scrum.com

### Leading point scorers

Top 5 point scorers :

| Pos | Name | Team | Points |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Morné Steyn | South Africa | 77 |
| 2 | Matt Giteau | Australia | 64 |
| 3 | Dan Carter | New Zealand | 63 |
| 4 | James O'Connor | Australia | 27 |
| 5 | Mils Muliaina | New Zealand | 20 |

Source: scrum.com

