World Cup warm-up to mark centenary

By WYNNE GRAY

Almost to the day, the All Blacks and Wallabies will commemorate 100 years of test rugby between the two sides at Eden Park next August.

Their August 16 clash, a century after the All Blacks first played and beat Australia 22-3 in Sydney, will be the teams' final international preparation for the World Cup two months later.

Whether that final Tri-Nations test also doubles as a match to decide the Bledisloe Cup will depend on the outcome of the July 26 game in Sydney. The All Blacks will have to beat travel fatigue as well as the Wallabies because they fly to Sydney after starting the Tri-Nations in Pretoria.

The All Blacks play seven tests before the World Cup. They will prepare for their Tri-Nations campaign with reciprocal games against England, Wales and France, who host the All Blacks on their end-of-year trip this season.

England are the first opponents at Wellington on June 14, then Wales in Hamilton and France in Christchurch on the weekend of June 28-29. The date for that Gallaher Cup test is yet to be finalised because France are arriving from South America.

After their test, England cross the Tasman to play the Wallabies in Melbourne a week later, while Wales play the Wallabies a week before they meet the All Blacks.

The Tri-Nations begins on July 12 when the Springboks host the Wallabies in Cape Town. Perth has been reintroduced to the series and once more the Wallabies will play the Springboks in that western city.

Wallaby coach Eddie Jones had no complaints over the programme.

"I think it's an excellent buildup, a good variety of teams, especially Northern Hemisphere teams on our grounds," Jones said.

"And then we get to play Tri-Nations matches. It's an ideal place to see where we are in terms of the World Cup."

The Wallabies boast a 20-4 win-loss record against the three Northern Hemisphere visitors, including an unblemished log of 10 victories against England in Australia.

Former Wallaby wing Joe Roff is back in Australia aiming for a World Cup place. The 26-year-old, re-signed by the ACT Brumbies for the next two Super 12 series, spent last season playing in France.

Despite his 72-test career Roff is no certainty for a test place.

Australia had top wings like Ben Tune, Andrew Walker and Stirling Mortlock before Roff walked out, and have signed three former rugby league international wingers - Mat Rogers, Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri - while he has been away.