Easter questions fitness of Tri-Nations as Neil Back takes on Lions challenge

As many nations gear themselves towards the showpiece event in two months time, the northern hemisphere are effectively in peak condition for the six-week long tournament.

The southern hemisphere heavyweights of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa however, must participate in a fiercely competetive Tri-Nations series off the back of a long, hard Super Rugby season, which comes to an end this weekend as the Queensland Reds meet the Canterbury Crusaders in the grand final. The Tri-Nations opens on July 23 when Australia take on South Africa in Sydney.

England No 8 Easter said: “This time the northern hemisphere teams might have a little bit of an advantage over the southern hemisphere teams in terms of the scheduling because we’ve had a break.

“We don’t have any rugby match now until the first warm-up game in August, so we have a good window to train hard and get prepared properly.

“But in the southern hemisphere their Super 15 season is longer than usual and has gone on an extra month. Then they have the Tri-Nations. They might be a little over-cooked, while for us it’s just like heading into a normal season. At our clubs we’d be doing pre-season at this time and start playing in September.”

Led by star flanker Richie McCaw and fly-half Dan Carter, renowned as two of the best players in world rugby, the All Blacks have dominated the Tri-Nations for over a decade having won the trophy seven of the past nine years. The Springboks have only disrupted their dominance on two occasions, in 2004 and 2009, whilst the Wallablies have had a barren run since 2001.

With the high attrition rate in modern day internationals, Easter suggests the trio may rest key personnel to keep their star players fresh for the World Cup, which kicks-off in New Zealand on September 9 when the hosts take on Tonga.

Easter said: “I am surprised they’re playing the Tri-Nations. Maybe they’ll play weakened sides and rest their key players.

“I thought they might play each other as warm up games like we do with other Six Nations teams, but with the same sort of warm up schedule. I hope it leaves them tired.”

The Harlequins No 8 has proved to be an experienced head and key player for England and goes into this year’s tournament with high hopes.

He reached the final four years ago where he suffered that heart-breaking loss to South Africa in the final at Stade de France.

But he feels his countries chances could be improved this time round as the gruelling Tri Nations tournament could leave the three countries jaded and fatigued in the run-up to the World Cup. He hopes after a long, hard season, player burnout could be a factor with the northern hemipshere countries ready to capitalise.

With England the only northern hemisphere side to have lifted the William Web Ellis trophy, in 2003, it would be welcome to see a new name engraved on the trophy come the final in Auckland on October 23.

England have been grouped with Argentina, Scotland, Georgia and Romania in Pool B with many pundits expecting them to get out of the group with relative ease given their recent resurgence on the international stage.

Given New Zealand were infamously knocked out in the 2007 quarter-finals by a French side inspired by relentless flanker Thierry Dusatoir, having a difficult group to overcome, as England do, isn’t necessarily a hinderence.

“Absolutely you want a challenging pool. You don’t want it too tough obviously because you could end up giving everything just to get out of it,” said Easter.

“You definitely want some tough games or matches where not everything goes according to plan so you have to work out different situations.

“In quarter and semi-finals things don’t go according to plan and the opposition is as desperate as you to win it.

“If you haven’t had that match practice or played under that pressure or intensity in previous matches, you can get caught on the hop.

“That’s certainly what happened to New Zealand the last time around.”

In other news, former Leeds Carnegie head coach Neil Back is determined to steer Rugby Lions back into the top flight after accepting an approach to become head coach of the fifth-tier club.

Back has signed a five-year contract, accepting a significant step down in level having resigned from Aviva Premiership outfit Leeds at the end of last season.

Rugby, who play in National League 3 Midlands, are being bankrolled by former player and businessman Michael Aland.