The 2010 Tri Nations Series was the 15th annual Tri Nations series between the national rugby union teams of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

New Zealand clinched the series crown with one match remaining, scoring two tries in the last 3 minutes to defeat South Africa 29–22 on 21 August in the first-ever Test at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. The 2010 Tri-Nations season has seen new records set by the All Blacks; they are the first team to finish undefeated since the expansion of the tournament to 9 rounds, and have seen the highest number of tries and overall points in the history of the tournament.

The series concluded 11 September 2010 with New Zealand's win over Australia 23–22. The 2011 series commenced on 23 July 2011 in Australia.

Background New Zealand, South Africa and Australia were ranked first, second, and third in the IRB World Rankings, but this changed due to Australia's 21–20 loss to England on 16 June 2010. This game moved Australia down to fourth in the IRB World Rankings but they returned to third in rankings a week later, after France's heavy defeat to Argentina and Australia's win against Ireland in the last week of the 2010 mid-year rugby test series.

The final match of the Bledisloe Cup series between Australia and New Zealand took place after the Tri-Nations, on 30 October (the first 3 matches of the series were part of the Tri-Nations).

Standings PlaceNationGamesPointsBonuspointsTablepointsPlayedWonDrawnLostForAgainstDiff4 Tries7 Point Loss16600184111+73302726204162188−26211136105147194−47127

Fixtures All times are local

Round 1

FB 15Mils Muliaina RW 14Cory JaneOC 13Conrad SmithIC 12Ma'a NonuLW 11Joe Rokocoko FH 10Dan CarterSH 9 Jimmy Cowan N8 8 Kieran Read OF 7 Richie McCaw (c)BF 6 Jerome Kaino RL 5 Tom Donnelly LL 4 Brad ThornTP 3 Carl Hayman HK 2 Keven Mealamu LP 1 Tony WoodcockSubstitutes:HK 16Corey Flynn PR 17Ben Franks LK 18Sam Whitelock FL 19Liam Messam SH 20Piri Weepu FH 21Aaron CrudenWG 22Richard Kahui Coach: Graham Henry FB 15Zane KirchnerRW 14Jean de VilliersOC 13Jaque Fourie IC 12Wynand Olivier LW 11Bryan HabanaFH 10Morné Steyn SH 9 Ricky Januarie N8 8 Pierre Spies OF 7 Francois Louw BF 6 Schalk BurgerRL 5 Victor MatfieldLL 4 Bakkies Botha TP 3 Jannie du Plessis HK 2 John Smit (c) LP 1 Gurthrö SteenkampSubstitutes:HK 16Chiliboy Ralepelle PR 17BJ Botha LK 18Andries Bekker LK 19Danie Rossouw SH 20Ruan Pienaar FH 21Butch James WG 22Gio Aplon Coach: Peter de Villiers Touch judges: Alain Rolland (Ireland) Stuart Dickinson (Australia) Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

Following the match, Bakkies Botha was handed a nine-week suspension for headbutting Jimmy Cowan in the first minute of the match, an offence missed by referee Alan Lewis. The suspension sidelined Botha for the remainder of the Tri Nations.

Round 2

FB 15Mils Muliaina RW 14Cory JaneOC 13Conrad SmithIC 12Ma'a Nonu LW 11Rene Ranger FH 10Dan CarterSH 9 Piri Weepu N8 8 Kieran ReadOF 7 Richie McCaw (c) BF 6 Jerome Kaino RL 5 Tom Donnelly LL 4 Brad ThornTP 3 Carl Hayman HK 2 Keven Mealamu LP 1 Tony WoodcockSubstitutes:HK 16Corey Flynn PR 17Ben Franks LK 18Sam Whitelock FL 19Liam Messam SH 20Jimmy Cowan FH 21Aaron Cruden FB 22Israel Dagg Coach: Graham Henry FB 15Zane KirchnerRW 14Jean de Villiers OC 13Jaque Fourie IC 12Wynand OlivierLW 11Bryan HabanaFH 10Morné SteynSH 9 Ricky Januarie N8 8 Pierre Spies OF 7 Francois LouwBF 6 Schalk BurgerRL 5 Victor MatfieldLL 4 Danie Rossouw TP 3 CJ van der Linde HK 2 John Smit (c) LP 1 Gurthrö SteenkampSubstitutes:HK 16Chiliboy Ralepelle PR 17BJ Botha LK 18Andries Bekker N8 19Ryan Kankowski SH 20Ruan Pienaar FH 21Butch JamesWG 22Gio Aplon Coach: Peter de Villiers Touch judges: Alan Lewis (Ireland) Stuart Dickinson (Australia) Television match official: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

During this match the All Blacks became the highest point scorers in international rugby, passing France. Following the match, Jean de Villiers was handed a two-week suspension for a lifting tackle against Rene Ranger. De Villiers' previously good disciplinary record was cited as a mitigating factor with regard to the length of suspension. The suspension sidelined de Villiers for the Springboks' next match against Australia.

Round 3

FB 15Adam Ashley-CooperRW 14James O'ConnorOC 13Rob HorneIC 12Matt Giteau LW 11Drew MitchellFH 10Quade Cooper SH 9 Will GeniaN8 8 Richard Brown OF 7 David PocockBF 6 Rocky Elsom (c)RL 5 Nathan SharpeLL 4 Dean Mumm TP 3 Salesi Ma'afuHK 2 Saia Fainga'a LP 1 Benn Robinson Replacements:HK 16Stephen Moore PR 17James Slipper LK 18Rob Simmons N8 19Ben McCalman SH 20Luke BurgessFH 21Berrick Barnes FB 22Kurtley BealeCoach: Robbie Deans FB 15Zane Kirchner RW 14Gio AplonOC 13Jaque Fourie IC 12Wynand Olivier LW 11Bryan HabanaFH 10Morné Steyn SH 9 Ruan Pienaar N8 8 Pierre Spies BF 7 Ryan Kankowski OF 6 Schalk BurgerRL 5 Victor MatfieldLL 4 Danie Rossouw TP 3 BJ Botha HK 2 John Smit (c) LP 1 Gurthro SteenkampReplacements:HK 16Chiliboy Ralepelle PR 17CJ van der Linde LK 18Flip van der Merwe N8 19Dewald Potgieter SH 20Francois Hougaard FH 21Butch James FB 22Juan de Jongh Coach: Peter de Villiers Touch judges: Keith Brown (New Zealand) Vinny Munro (New Zealand) Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia) Following the match, two players, one from each team, were handed suspensions: Jaque Fourie was suspended for four weeks for a spear tackle of Richard Brown. He will miss the Springboks' next Test against the All Blacks. Quade Cooper was suspended for two weeks for a spear tackle of Morné Steyn. As in the case of Jean de Villiers last week, Cooper's previously good disciplinary history was cited as a mitigating factor. The Australian Rugby Union appealed the length of the ban, presumably because the suspensions of Fourie and de Villiers kept them out of only one Test, but was denied. Cooper was sidelined for the first two Bledisloe Cup Tests in Melbourne and Christchurch.

Round 4

FB 15Adam Ashley-Cooper RW 14James O'ConnorOC 13Rob Horne IC 12Berrick Barnes LW 11Drew Mitchell FH 10Matt Giteau SH 9 Will Genia N8 8 Richard Brown OF 7 David PocockBF 6 Rocky Elsom (c)RL 5 Nathan Sharpe LL 4 Dean MummTP 3 Salesi Ma'afu HK 2 Stephen Moore LP 1 Benn RobinsonReplacements:HK 16Saia Fainga'a PR 17James Slipper LK 18Rob Simmons N8 19Matt Hodgson SH 20Luke Burgess FH 21Anthony Fainga'a FB 22Kurtley Beale Coach: Robbie Deans FB 15Mils MuliainaRW 14Cory Jane OC 13Conrad Smith IC 12Ma'a Nonu LW 11Joe RokocokoFH 10Dan CarterSH 9 Jimmy Cowan N8 8 Kieran ReadOF 7 Richie McCaw (c)BF 6 Jerome Kaino RL 5 Tom Donnelly LL 4 Brad Thorn TP 3 Owen Franks HK 2 Keven Mealamu LP 1 Tony WoodcockReplacements:HK 16Corey Flynn PR 17Ben Franks LK 18Sam Whitelock N8 19Victor Vito SH 20Piri Weepu FH 21Aaron Cruden FB 22Israel Dagg Coach: Graham Henry Touch judges: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) Cobus Wessels (South Africa) Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)

Following the match, IRB referee chief Paddy O'Brien announced that Cobus Wessels would be dropped as a touch judge for the upcoming New Zealand–Australia Test because of a number of key errors, most notably Wessels' recommendation that Wallabies wing Drew Mitchell receive the first of his two yellow cards for what O'Brien deemed a marginal penalty. As a result, the IRB made a one-off exception to its standard policy of requiring neutral touch judges and referees for international matches, assigning New Zealander Keith Brown to take Wessels' place.

Round 5

FB 15Mils MuliainaRW 14Cory JaneOC 13Conrad Smith IC 12Ma'a NonuLW 11Joe RokocokoFH 10Dan CarterSH 9 Piri Weepu N8 8 Kieran ReadOF 7 Richie McCaw (c)BF 6 Jerome Kaino RL 5 Tom Donnelly LL 4 Brad ThornTP 3 Owen Franks HK 2 Keven Mealamu LP 1 Tony WoodcockReplacements:HK 16Corey Flynn PR 17Ben Franks LK 18Sam Whitelock N8 19Victor Vito SH 20Alby Mathewson FH 21Aaron Cruden FB 22Benson Stanley Coach: Graham Henry FB 15Kurtley Beale RW 14James O'ConnorOC 13Adam Ashley-CooperIC 12Anthony Fainga'a LW 11Drew MitchellFH 10Matt GiteauSH 9 Will GeniaN8 8 Richard Brown OF 7 David PocockBF 6 Rocky Elsom (c)RL 5 Nathan Sharpe LL 4 Dean MummTP 3 Salesi Ma'afu HK 2 Saia Fainga'a LP 1 Benn RobinsonReplacements:HK 16Stephen Moore PR 17James Slipper LK 18Rob Simmons N8 19Matt Hodgson SH 20Luke Burgess FH 21Berrick Barnes FB 22Cameron Shepherd Coach: Robbie Deans Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Keith Brown (New Zealand) Television match official: Cobus Wessels (South Africa)

Round 6

FB 15Gio Aplon RW 14JP PietersenOC 13Juan de JonghIC 12Jean de Villiers LW 11Bryan HabanaFH 10Morné SteynSH 9 Francois Hougaard N8 8 Pierre Spies OF 7 Juan Smith BF 6 Schalk Burger RL 5 Victor MatfieldLL 4 Flip van der Merwe TP 3 Jannie du Plessis HK 2 John Smit (c)LP 1 Gurthro SteenkampReplacements:HK 16Chiliboy Ralepelle PR 17CJ van der Linde LK 18Danie Rossouw N8 19Francois Louw SH 20Ricky Januarie FH 21Butch James FB 22Wynand Olivier Coach: Peter de Villiers FB 15Mils MuliainaRW 14Cory JaneOC 13Conrad Smith IC 12Ma'a NonuLW 11Joe Rokocoko FH 10Dan CarterSH 9 Jimmy Cowan N8 8 Kieran ReadOF 7 Richie McCaw (c)BF 6 Jerome Kaino RL 5 Tom Donnelly LL 4 Brad ThornTP 3 Ben Franks HK 2 Keven MealamuLP 1 Tony WoodcockReplacements:HK 16Corey FlynnPR 17John Afoa LK 18Sam Whitelock N8 19Victor Vito SH 20Piri Weepu FH 21Aaron Cruden FB 22Israel Dagg Coach: Graham Henry Touch judges: Alain Rolland (Ireland) Simon McDowell (Ireland) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

Springboks captain John Smit became the second Springbok to earn 100 Test caps, after Percy Montgomery. The result of this match meant that the All Blacks took the 2010 Tri-Nations title with one match remaining, as well as the Freedom Cup. This game also marked the All Blacks' 1000th win in international rugby, including non-Test matches.

Round 7

FB 15François SteynRW 14JP PietersenOC 13Jaque FourieIC 12Jean de Villiers LW 11Bryan HabanaFH 10Morné Steyn SH 9 Francois HougaardN8 8 Pierre Spies OF 7 Juan SmithBF 6 Schalk Burger RL 5 Victor MatfieldLL 4 Flip van der Merwe TP 3 Jannie du Plessis HK 2 John Smit (c) LP 1 Gurthro SteenkampReplacements:HK 16Chiliboy Ralepelle PR 17CJ van der Linde LK 18Danie Rossouw N8 19Ryan Kankowski SH 20Ricky Januarie FH 21Butch James FB 22Juan de Jongh Coach: Peter de Villiers FB 15Kurtley Beale RW 14James O'ConnorOC 13Adam Ashley-CooperIC 12Matt Giteau LW 11Drew MitchellFH 10Quade CooperSH 9 Will GeniaN8 8 Richard Brown OF 7 David PocockBF 6 Rocky Elsom (c)RL 5 Nathan Sharpe LL 4 Dean MummTP 3 Salesi Ma'afu HK 2 Saia Fainga'a LP 1 Benn RobinsonReplacements:HK 16Stephen Moore PR 17James Slipper LK 18Ben McCalman N8 19Rob Simmons SH 20Luke Burgess FH 21Berrick Barnes FB 22Anthony Fainga'a Coach: Robbie Deans Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Simon McDowell (Ireland) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

For the second straight week, a Springbok earned his 100th Test cap, with Victor Matfield reaching this milestone.

Round 8

FB 15François SteynRW 14JP PietersenOC 13Jaque FourieIC 12Jean de Villiers LW 11Bryan Habana FH 10Morné SteynSH 9 Francois HougaardN8 8 Pierre Spies OF 7 Juan SmithBF 6 Schalk Burger RL 5 Victor MatfieldLL 4 Danie Rossouw TP 3 Jannie du Plessis HK 2 John Smit (c) LP 1 Gurthrö SteenkampReplacements:HK 16Chiliboy Ralepelle PR 17CJ van der Linde LK 18Flip van der Merwe N8 19Ryan Kankowski SH 20Ricky Januarie FH 21Juan de Jongh FB 22Gio Aplon Coach: Peter de Villiers FB 15Kurtley Beale RW 14James O'ConnorOC 13Adam Ashley-CooperIC 12Matt Giteau LW 11Drew Mitchell FH 10Quade CooperSH 9 Will Genia N8 8 Ben McCalman OF 7 David PocockBF 6 Rocky Elsom (c)RL 5 Nathan SharpeLL 4 Mark Chisholm TP 3 Salesi Ma'afu HK 2 Stephen Moore LP 1 Benn RobinsonReplacements:HK 16Saia Fainga'a PR 17James Slipper LK 18Dean Mumm N8 19Richard Brown SH 20Luke Burgess FH 21Berrick Barnes FB 22Anthony Fainga'a Coach: Robbie Deans Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Simon McDowell (Ireland) Television match official: