John Eales lifts the Tri-Nations trophy © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: John Eales | Doug Howlett | Clive Woodward

Teams: Australia | Canada | England | Munster | New Zealand

2001
John Eales led Australia to a 29-26 victory over New Zealand, retaining the Tri-Nations title in his final Test match.

The victory was the perfect way for Eales to end his 86-Test career with the Wallabies. But it took a try to No.8 Toutai Kefu with just over a minute remaining to secure the victory after the Wallabies had blown a 19-6 half-time lead.

The All Blacks looked set to crash Eales' party when in the space of 10 minutes they had turned a 19-6 half-time deficit into a 23-19 lead thanks to two tries - from Pita Alatini and Doug Howlett.

2004
Clive Woodward announced that he was stepping down as England coach. Woodward took charge of England for 83 Tests, winning 59 games and leading them to a stunning World Cup triumph in 2003.

England had had a disappointing 2004 though, losing five of their eight Test matches and finishing third in the Six Nations. Woodward went on to lead the Lions on an unsuccessful tour of New Zealand in 2005 - where his bloated side was whitewashed 3-0.

2007
Munster completed the signing of All Blacks wing Doug Howlett. The winger, capped 62 times by New Zealand, eventually joined the Irish province after the Rubgy World Cup and played a vital role in their Heineken Cup victory in 2008.

2002
Canada defeated Chile 29-11 in Santiago to win the Americas Zone World Cup qualifiers. The win gave Canada a 5-1 record and a berth in Pool D at the Rugby World Cup in Australia where they faced New Zealand, Wales, Italy and Tonga.