For 2006 the Tri-Nations returned down under for the whole tournament and it was to be another chastening tour experience for the Great Britain side.

The series opened with an Australian side bristling for revenge following the previous year's failure, easing to a 30-18 victory, despite New Zealand taking an early lead.

The Kiwis looked well set to reverse that defeat the following week in Melbourne, holding a 15-8 with just eight minutes left, but tries from Greg Inglis and Mark Gasnier sealed a 20-15 for Australia.
Great Britain made their bow in the next match in Auckland, going down to a narrow 18-14 defeat, but the revelation that Kiwi hooker Nathan Fien was ineligible to play under qualification rules saw the result scratched.

The following week it appeared the Lions could be set for glory after all, as they scored one of their most famous wins, 24-12 in an attritional match that was marred by a cheap shot from Aussie lock Willie Mason that floored Stuart Fielden.

Having lost the points from their win over the Lions, New Zealand needed to defeat the same opponents to have any chance of qualifying for the final and they did so in fine style at Wellington, thrashing Great Britain 34-4.

That result left the British needing their own miracle in the final group game against Australia, but it was not to be, with the Kangaroos running six tries in a 33-10 victory to set up a final against New Zealand.

The final proved to be a classic at Aussie Stadium in Sydney, with Brent Tate's try helping Australia to a 10-2 lead. Tries from Frank Pritchard and Iosia Soliola saw New Zealand level, before skipper Darren Lockyer won the match and the title for the Kangaroos with a 'golden point' try in extra-time.