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Another Tri-Nations has come and gone with the All Blacks, once again, taking the spoils in 2008. Despite the bloated nature of the expanded format the competition still went right to the wire - and dished up some classic clashes along the way.
As the curtain comes down on the competition we give our annual SARugby.com awards to the best - and the worst - of 2008.
Team of the tournament
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Andrew Hore
3. Greg Somerville
4. James Horwill
5. Ali Williams
6. Rocky Elsom
7. Richie McCaw
8. Rodney So'oialo
9. Jimmy Cowan
10. Dan Carter
11. Lote Tuqiri
12. Jean de Villiers
13. Stirling Mortlock
14. Richard Kahui
15. Mils Muliaina
Player of the tournament
Dan Carter
Game of the tournament
South Africans will hail the win in Dunedin. Australians will have enjoyed breaking their drought in Durban. The All Blacks, however, won the game of the tournament in Brisbane in the winner takes all decider. Test rugby at its best with a tight first half, a run-away leader just after half time, a powerful burst from the All Blacks and a grand stand finish.
Best referee
Jonathan Kaplan was our pick of the tournament.
Worst referee
Stuart Dickinson for incredibly missing the Thorn spear tackle on John Smit.
Most cringeworthy moment
Kobus Wiese's post match interview with Victor Matfield following the loss in Durban. First the big man tried to point out perceived cheating by the Wallabies to Matfield before getting the venue for the next game wrong. Embarrassing!
Stupidity Award
CJ van der Linde's flying headbutt. What was he thinking?
Best veteran
Our vote goes to Bok legend Percy Montgomery. Although he featured mostly from the bench for the Boks, the blond-flyer reached the auspicious 100 Test caps for his country. He played two more Tests before hanging up his international boots after the 53-8 rout of the Wallabies.
Best hair
Ma'a Nonu's new Rasta colour dreadlocks added a touch of class and colour to any game.
Best newcomer
Stephen Donald looked the business coming off the bench for the All Blacks, while Luke Burgess and Peter Hynes also impressed for the Wallabies. In the end, however, the Beast Mtawarira takes the award as the best newcomer for him impact at loose-head for the Boks.
Most heartwarming moment
Jongi Nokwe's fairytale quartet of tries at Coca-Cola park. The nonchalant manner he scored his tries and his humble - some might say bewildered - post match interview.
Worst hair
A tie between Ricky Januarie and Dick Muir wearing the blond Percy wigs.
Best facial hair
Only one winner: PdV
Player who was the biggest disappointment
Victor Matfield
Most cringe worthy commentator
Hugh Bladen, for calling Wallaby prop Ben Robinson, Ben Johnson for almost the entire game against the Boks at Coca Cola Park.
Warren ' Walking Cliche' Brosnihan also gets an honourable mention.
Some memorable Brosnihan quotes:
"He's showing more toe than a roman sandal."
"Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it."
"He's a big piece of meat."
"Try time!"
Most entertaining commentator
Phil Kearns
Try of the tournament
South Africans will tell you it was Ricky Januarie's match-winning try in Dunedin of course, but Andrew Hore's try against Australia in Sydney, where he cut the angle and beat a handful of defenders to the line gets the nod this time around. Not bad gas for a front-ranker either, and were are not talking about his flatulence.
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Originally Posted by laura
Courtesy of quality South African commentry
