While the 2010 Tri-Nations could be decided this weekend, the three top-ranked teams in world rugby are scheduled to meet again in 2011 as they seek to claim southern hemisphere supremacy and quite possibly crucial momentum in the final run-up to Rugby World Cup 2011.

In what could be the last of the three-way competition ahead of Argentina’s inclusion in 2012, the shortened 2011 Tri-Nations competition will start on July 23 in Sydney and finish on August 27 in Brisbane, just two weeks before the start of RWC 2011 in New Zealand.

As previously announced, South Africa will host a Tri-Nations match for the first time in the Eastern Cape, with the new Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium hosting the Springboks v All Blacks encounter on Saturday, August 20. The Springboks play the Wallabies a week earlier in Durban on August 13. Both venues are dependent on satisfactory discussions between SARU and the hosting provinces.

New Zealand’s two home fixtures will double as the final test runs for two RWC 2011 venues. Wellington’s Westpac Stadium will host the All Blacks v Springboks match on Saturday, July 30. Eden Park, which will be in full World Cup configuration, will host the Bledisloe Cup clash between the All Blacks and Wallabies on Saturday, August 6.

In Australia, the tournament opens with the Wallabies v Springboks at ANZ Stadium on July 23, while Brisbane will again host a Bledisloe Cup clash as the Wallabies play host to the All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium for the first time since 2006 to close the 2011 Tri-Nations on Saturday, August 27.

2011 Tri-Nations Schedule (kick off times to be confirmed):

Saturday, July 23 – Australia v South Africa, Sydney
Saturday, July 30 – New Zealand v South Africa, Wellington
Saturday, August 6 – New Zealand v Australia, Auckland
Saturday, August 13 – South Africa v Australia, Durban
Saturday, August 20 – South Africa v New Zealand, Port Elizabeth
Saturday, August 27 – Australia v New Zealand, Brisbane

Courtesy of sport24