Opening Salvos of Tri Nations 2008 - All Blacks vs Springboks

Current world champions, the Springboks, will have an added incentive to win their first test on New Zealand soil in a decade - they will retain their number one position on the IRB word ranking and anyone who knows anything about South African rugby can expect a battle of attrition from the forwards and a veritable ‘pace race’ from the very talented back line that includes the precocious talent of superstar, Bryan Habana.

Missing MacCaw!
The All Blacks are without one of their most experienced playmakers, captain, Richie MacCaw, who was injured in the recent clash against England and he will not only be missed for his outstanding leadership qualities but for his traditional dominance of the loose ball as well. The All Blacks will be led by Rodney So’oialo, veteran of 44 tests but the MacCaw factor will be sorely missed!

Newly elected South African coach, Pieter de Villiers, is in the enviable position of having too much talent at his disposal and he has opted to start Saturday’s clash without some of the star performers of the 2007 World Cup including champion full back, Percy Montgomery and the exceptionally skilled Francois Steyn.

All Blacks Favourites - Ladbrokes
Whatever the outcome of the inaugural Tri Nations battle, rugby pundits can expect it to be a duel of epic proportion. International bookmaker, Ladbrokes, has New Zealand as the out and out favourites to win the Tri Nations a 1.66, South Africa at 3.25 and Australia at 5.00.

Ladbrokes £10 Free Bet
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Ladbrokes Free Tri Nations Rugby Bet Ladbrokes Review