'09 Tri-Nations kicks-off in Auckland

Home start: The All Blacks will begin the defence of their Tri-Nations crown in Auckland

The fixtures for the 2009 Tri-Nations tournament have been confirmed by the executive of SANZAR.

The 14th edition of the tournament will kick off in Auckland on July 18 with the meeting between New Zealand and Australia and concludes with a fixture between the same opponents in Wellington nine weeks later on September 19.

South Africa open their campaign against the All Blacks in Bloemfontein on July 25 - the first time since 1976 that the New Zealand will have played a Test match at the venue.

The Springboks also play New Zealand in Hamilton for the frist time ever.

Tri-Nations Fixtures 2009

Date	Fixture	KO	GMT	Venue
July 18	New Zealand v Australia	19.35	07.35	Auckland
July 25	South Africa v New Zealand	15.00	13.00	Bloemfontein
August 1	South Africa v New Zealand	15.00	13.00	Durban
August 8	South Africa v Australia	15.00	13.00	Cape Town
August 22	Australia v New Zealand	20.05	10.05	Sydney
August 29	Australia v South Africa	18:05	12.05	Perth
September 5	Australia v South Africa	20.05	10.05	Brisbane
September 12	New Zealand v South Africa	19.35	07.35	Hamilton
September 19	New Zealand v Australia	19.35	07.35	Wellington