Will All Blacks coach Graham Henry have reason to smile at the end of this year's Tri-Nations? © Getty Images

The All Blacks’ 2010 Tri-Nations campaign starts at Eden Park on July 10 against defending champions South Africa and I’m picking an All Blacks win that will stretch their unbeaten run in Auckland to 12 years and put them on course to reclaim the southern hemisphere crown.

A Bulls and Stormers laden South Africa won three out of three against the All Blacks in 2009 and will be confident they can maintain their edge a year out from trying to be the only team to win back to back World Cups.

The injury to Fourie du Preez is a big blow for them but Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Pierre Spies, Morne Steyn and Bryan Habana have all been in outstanding form the past few seasons regardless of what jersey they put on.

A game plan based on a dominant lineout, almost perfectly executed maul, superior kicking game and efficient counter attack all marshalled under the inspired leadership of captain John Smit has been a template for success both home and away. The biggest challenge for South Africa might just be how do they keep improving and hold it all together for another 18 months?
Robbie Deans and his Australian side endured a difficult 2009, unable to win against the All Blacks in four attempts, just once against South Africa and then drawing against Ireland and losing to Scotland on a disappointing end of year tour. Despite all of that there is reason for optimism and the 2010 Wallabies are still a young team with plenty of room for improvement.

Will Genia was in outstanding form for the Reds but has been on the sideline with injury so it is uncertain what part he will play in the Wallabies campaign. This will add even more pressure on the burgeoning combination between Quade Cooper and Matt Giteau and young wonder kid James O’Connor who will be key to a turnaround in Aussie fortunes. As always though, the backs will be reliant on good quality front foot ball to allow them room to move.

The retirement of legendary No.7 George Smith will be keenly felt at the breakdown and much is going to rest on the experienced shoulders of Nathan Sharpe, Rocky Elsom and Phil Waugh to deliver a set piece that can match their southern hemisphere counterparts.

The All Blacks showed in their dismantling of Ireland and Wales that they still want to play a high tempo game and the squad selected for this series is proof of that. New Zealand possesses an abundance of game breaking backline talent in Nonu, Smith, Kahui, Muliaina, Rocokoko, Jane and newcomer Rene Ranger. With the imperial Dan Carter back scoring points for fun and a better foundation at the set piece they will look to run the opposition off the park with relentless attack.

Once again the winner could well be decided by bonus points or even points differential and it would not be surprising if it all comes down to the final game when Australia hosts the All Blacks in Sydney on 10 September.

I’m picking the All Blacks to edge out South Africa with Australia a close third.

James Marshall