AS we all know, the All Blacks have been dominant over the 13 series so far.  And we'll dwell on this fact for a while, as this season could be an aberration, and the trophy might get carried off to foreign shores...  But we won't dwell on that too long, the foreign shores thing.  Lets instead look at the 9 series wins from 13 starts for the All Blacks!!

So lets look at the years and winners then, and a few other facts and figures, for all you (we) anorak wearing train spotters...

From an Olympics angle, , gold, silver and bronze.  The All Blacks have 9 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze.  The Aussies 2, 8 and 3, while brining up the rear, the Boers, with 2 gold, 3 silver, and 8 bronze.

Both times South Africa have won ('98 and '04), Australia came in second, with the All Blacks bringing up the rear.  When Australia win, ('00 and '01) it is the All Blacks doing the chasing.  When the All Blacks have won the trophy 6 times the Convicts have been second, and 3 the Boers.  What does this tell us, nothing, but I thought it was interesting.  Lets hope the Boers don't win this season, as then the All Blacks would be last, going by history!

There have been 4 'grand slams' with the Champions going through undefeated.  The All Blacks in '96, '97 and '03, and the Boers in '98 (that season, where the All Blacks couldn't win the after match raffle, let alone a test match).

Only two sides have been slammed - that '98 All Black side, and the 2005 Aussies, both side completed the Tri Nations without a win to their names.  Well done those sides!!

So what do all these facts and figures tell us leading into the 2009 series?  Basically, Didly squat!  It does tell us though that during the reign of King Henry the All Blacks have been pretty hard to beat at Tri Nations time, Australia are always the bridesmaids, the the Boers, it's all or nothing!!