2006 Tri Nations Series
The 2006 Tri Nations Series was the 10th Tri Nations Series, an annual rugby union competition between the national teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. New Zealand won the competition with three rounds still to play after their victory over Australia on 19 August, their 21st consecutive home win.
| Final positions | |
|---|---|
| Champions | New Zealand (7th title) |
| Bledisloe Cup | New Zealand |
| Freedom Cup | New Zealand |
| Mandela Challenge Plate | Australia |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 9 |
| Tries scored | 42 (4.67 per match) |
| Attendance | 406,899 (45,211 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) | Dan Carter (99) |
| Most tries | Lote Tuqiri (3) Jaque Fourie (3) |
← 2005 2007 → | |
For the first time, in 2006 each team played the others three times, instead of twice, as had been the case previously. This was the result of a new television deal between SANZAR, the consortium of the three countries' rugby federations that organises the tournament, and broadcasters in the SANZAR countries and the United Kingdom. As a result, the duration of the competition was extended and it ran from 8 July to 9 September.
New Zealand won all three matches against Australia, thus retaining the Bledisloe Cup. They also won two of their three matches against South Africa, thereby winning the Freedom Cup for the first time. Australia regained the Mandela Challenge Plate after winning their two home tests against South Africa.