New Zealand captain Richie McCaw lifts the Tri-Nations silverware in Brisbane last year © Getty Images

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News: McCaw set to last the pace

Players/Officials: Peter De Villiers | Dan Carter | Robbie Deans | Matt Giteau | Bryan Habana | Sir Graham Henry | Richie McCaw | Stirling Mortlock | John Smit

Tournaments/Tours: Tri Nations

Teams: Australia | New Zealand | South Africa

Grounds: Eden Park

The 2009 Tri-Nations kicks off this weekend with the latest battle for southern hemisphere supremacy set to be one of the most keenly contested in the 13-year history of the competition.

The action gets underway in Auckland with holders New Zealand playing host to cross-Tasman rivals Australia at Eden Park in what will also double as the first of four planned Bledisloe Cup clashes between the two sides.

The All Blacks have dominated the competition since its origin in the early days of professionalism and they will be gunning for their fifth successive title and tenth overall this year. But unlike previous years they are not strong favourites to extend their winning run with both Australia and South Africa tipped for glory.

New Zealand have failed to impress so far this year and were worryingly uninspiring in a drawn series with France before delivering a far from satisfactory victory over Six Nations whipping boys Italy. The performances also raised serious questions about the strength in depth within the squad - especially in key play-making positions.

Stripped of the services of amongst others - first-choice scrum-half Dan Carter (Achilles), talismanic captain Richie McCaw (knee) and influential lock Ali Williams (Achilles) - the All Blacks appeared rudder-less. However, the timely return from injury of McCaw, hooker Andrew Hore, wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, centre Conrad Smith and prop Neemia Tialata will provide a significant boost to their chances.

Those hoping that New Zealand's recent indifferent form is an indication of things to come need only look to last year's Tri-Nation for evidence to the contrary. Successive defeats at the hands of South Africa and Australia did not stop them powering to the title and the Bledisloe Cup in 2008 before embarking on a Grand Slam end of year tour of Europe.

Confidence also remains high within the New Zealand Rugby Union who recently handed coach Graham Henry and his assistants Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith contract extensions that will see them spearhead the All Blacks' assault on the Rugby World Cup.

It's been seven long years since Australia lifted the Bledisloe Cup and even longer since they lifted back-to-back Tri-Nations but hopes are high that they may be about to break the drought despite being the outsiders with the bookmakers.

The draw has treated them well, with just one match in South Africa and three in a row at home as they target their first title since 200. They will also be keen to break New Zealand's four-year domination of the Bledisloe Cup but they must begin their quest against the All Blacks at Eden Park where they have not won since 1986.

The signs are good for the Wallabies after a new-look side swept Italy aside twice before accounting for France with a watertight defence conceding just one try in the process. Unlike their near rivals they enter the competition relatively injury-free with returning flanker Rocky Elsom the only big-name absentee.

The sparkling form of fly-half Matt Giteau will also not have been lost on their title rivals with the Brumbies-bound star scoring all their points in a 22-6 win over the French. The steadying presence of skipper Stirling Mortlock within an exciting backline and flanker George Smith - who is set to reach a century of caps in his side's opening clash - will also be key to their aspirations.

The sacking of Lote Tuqiri threatened to cast a shadow over the Wallabies' side but with the winger long since discarded by coach Robbie Deans the ripple effect has been limited.

South Africa have been installed as many people's favourites following their victory over the British & Irish Lions but such was the bruising nature of that epic tussle it may yet cost them in the long term. But there is little doubt that their historic 2-1 series victory, on the back of the Bulls' Super 14 triumph, leaves them well-placed to add to their two Tri-Nations titles.

Springboks coach Peter de Villiers, no stranger to controversy, raised eyebrows with his selection for the third Test and his side's subsequent defeat will have robbed them of some priceless momentum as they bid to win the Tri-Nations for the first time since 2004. With three home games - in successive weeks - to kick things off they have a chance to place an early marker but will need to tweak their game to match the increased pace of their Australasian rivals.

The history books offer further hope for Springboks fans. The Wallabies went on to claim the Tri-Nations crown in 2001 having accounted for the Lions in a feat that was repeated by the All Blacks in 2005. Both sides lost their opening matches on their way to the title so do not be surprised if the Springboks also struggle to adjust before reasserting themselves.

Unsurprisingly, De Villiers has been largely loyal to the Springboks team who lifted the Rugby World Cup nearly two years ago but he will be without flanker Schalk Burger while he serves an eight-week ban for eye-gouging. However, his replacement Heinrich Brussow is arguably the country's form openside and will be hoping to extend his rich vein of form into his first Tri-Nations.

Locks Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha remain hugely influential while captain John Smit has proved his doubters wrong since shifting from hooker to prop. Scrum-half Fourie Du Preez cemented his claims to the title of the best player in the world during the series against the Lions while speedster Bryan Habana also showed glimpses of his very best.

Despite a testing schedule, a settled and battle-hardened side appears to give South Africa the edge in this year's title chase. If they can capitalise in the early stages of the competition then they may have enough momentum to survive three games in as many weeks away from home. The biggest threat to their chances could be coach Peter de Villiers' selection policy but even he will be hard-pressed to find reason to alter a winning team.

New Zealand and Australia will still fancy their chances but only time will tell whether the Tri-Nations crown will still up for grabs when they go head-to-head in the final game in Wellington on September 19.