Rugby: how the All Blacks can still, technically, lose the Tri Nations

The All Blacks have effectively clinched the Three Nations title thanks to their bonus point win over Argentina in Newcastle on Saturday night, barring a miracle in the final game of the tournament between the Pumas and the Wallabies.

Ian Foster’s men, under intense pressure after two consecutive losses, took revenge on the Pumas with a dominating 38-0 victory in their final test of the year.

It leaves the All Blacks five points clear at the top of the Tri Nations ladder, with two wins and two losses, leaving Argentina and Australia with a monumental task if they want to claim the trophy.

However, there is technically a mathematical chance, albeit highly unlikely, that both Argentina and Australia could win the New Zealand Tri Nations.

The All Blacks’ vastly higher point differential, thanks to two goals in their only two victories of the competition, along with three crucial bonus points, means they are sitting at the top of the table with 11 points and a huge spread. points of 64.

Both Argentina and Australia are within six competition points on the scale with negative point spreads.

In accordance with the competition rules outlined by the Tri Nations Sanzaar organizers, the first tiebreaker if two or more teams finish in equal competition points is determined by the team with the most wins in the series.

If the first tiebreaker does not provide a clear winner, the table is determined by the team with the most wins against the other team tied for the same points.

The third tiebreaker, and the one that will finally matter at the end of this year’s competition, is the point spread.

Both Argentina and Australia have just one loss so far, but haven’t scored any extra points in each of their first three games.

Therefore, even a win with bonus points for either team in the final match of the competition may not be enough for Argentina and Australia.

In fact, Argentina will need a 93-point margin of victory over the Wallabies, while Australia will need a 101-point margin of victory, meaning that the All Blacks have almost secured the second trophy of the Foster era.

The Pumas will face the Wallabies on Saturday at 9:45 p.m.

The first two rounds of the All Blacks Bledisloe Cup of the year against the Wallabies (a draw in Wellington and a win in Auckland) were not part of the Tri Nations and are of no significance in qualifying.

The staircase of the Three Nations

Tri Nations and Rugby Championship tiebreaker rules

Points are awarded in all matches as follows:

Victory: 4 points
Tie: 2 points
Loss: 0 points for loss of more than 7 points
Bonus: 1 point for 3 attempts or more than the opponent
Bonus: 1 point for loss within 7 points or less

The position on the competition table is determined by the competition points as stated above:

1. In the event that two or more teams are tied in competition points for any position at the competition table, said position will be determined by the team with the most wins in the series.

2. In the event that (a) above does not provide a decision, the position at the competition table will be determined by the team with the most wins against the other team tied for the same points.

3. In the case of (b) above not providing a decision, the position at the competition table will be determined on the margin of points scored for and against in the series. The team with the highest margin of points scored for and against will be considered the winner.

4. In the case of (c) above not providing a decision, the position at the competition table will be determined within the margin of the points scored for and against the competing teams. The team with the highest margin of points scored for and against will be considered the winner.

5. In the event that point (d) above does not provide a decision, the position at the competition table will be determined on the basis of the team scoring the most attempts in the series.

6. In the event that (e) above does not provide a decision, the Series will be shared between the two teams.

The biggest defeats in rugby history

Argentina or Australia will require a historic victory to steal the Tri Nations from the All Blacks.

Here are ten of the biggest defeats in rugby history:

Namibia – 142 points (142-0 to Australia, World Cup in Australia 2003)

Romania – 134 points (134-0 for England, 2001 end-of-year Romanian tour)

Uruguay – 131 points (134-3 to South Africa, Uruguay summer tour 2005)

Japan – 128 points (145-17 for New Zealand, 1995 World Cup in South Africa)

Tonga – 102 points (102-0 to New Zealand on Tongan 2000 Summer Tour)

Italy – 101 points (101-0 to South Africa, Italian Summer Tour 1999)

United States – 98 points (106-8 to England, American tour at the end of the year 1999)

Portugal – 95 points (108-13 for New Zealand, World Cup in France 2007)

Fiji – 91 points (91-0 to New Zealand, Fiji 2005 Summer Tour)

Samoa – 87 points (101-14 for New Zealand, Samoan 2008 Summer Tour)