2009 Tri-Nations fixtures announced

The 14th edition of the tournament will kick off in Auckland on July 18 with the meeting between New Zealand and Australia and also 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 - the first time the nations will have met at the venue.

Tri-Nations Fixtures 2009 (all kickoff times are local)

July 18 New Zealand v Australia Auckland 19:35

July 25 South Africa v New Zealand Bloemfontein 15:00

Aug 1 South Africa v New Zealand Durban 15:00

Aug 8 South Africa v Australia Cape Town 15:00

Aug 22 Australia v New Zealand Sydney 20:05

Aug 29 Australia v South Africa Perth 18:05

Sept 5 Australia v South Africa Brisbane 20:05

Sept 12 New Zealand v South Africa Hamilton 19:35

Sept 19 New Zealand v Australia Wellington 19:35