By Phil Harlow

With the 2003 World Cup just three months away, this season's Tri-Nations campaign is about more than the normal battle for southern hemisphere pride.

Australia, New Zealand and South Africa will all be looking to experiment with new players and combinations in an attempt to uncover their strongest XV.

The tournament has a history of producing memorable tries and making stars of previously unheralded players, and here BBC Sport profiles six players to keep an eye on.

NEW ZEALAND JOE ROKOCOKO Date of birth: 6 /6/1983 Test caps: 2 Test tries: 5 RICHIE McCAW Date of birth: 31/12/1980 Test caps: 9 Test tries: 1

Joe Rokocoko

"The fastest man ever to play for the All Blacks."

When you consider the likes of Christian Cullen and Doug Howlett have already established themselves as international speed merchants of the highest order, it takes something special to earn that accolade.

But winger Joe Rokocoko is just that and his impact in Test rugby has been immediate.

Five tries in his first two Tests - including a sensational hat-trick against France - have marked him out as a world-class talent at just 20 years old.

Blessed with pace to burn and a superb sidestep, Rokocoko has already shown that he can be a devastating finisher when given the ball in space and the Tri-Nations and World Cup defences will have to watch him closely.

Richie McCaw

The All Blacks selectors thought so highly of the dynamic and highly physical flanker that McCaw made his full international debut before he completed a Super 12 game for the Canterbury Crusaders.

Voted the International Rugby Players' Association's Newcomer of the Year in 2002, McCaw has impressed with his speed around the pitch and his uncanny ability to turn over opposition ball.

McCaw has marked himself out as a real forager in the Neil Back mode, specialising in seizing loose ball on the floor and digging out possession from the bottom of rucks and mauls.

SOUTH AFRICA BRENT RUSSELL Date of Birth: 5/3/1980 Test caps: 9 Test tries: 4 GEO CRONJE Date of birth: 23/7/1980 Test caps: 0 Test tries: 0

Brent Russell

The 23-year-old has shrugged off doubts over his relatively diminutive size to become one of the Springboks' most potent attacking weapons.

Having established himself as a star on the international Sevens circuit, the 5ft 8in and 12 stone back has made the most of his electric pace and skills on the ball to notch up four tries in his nine appearances to date.

His memorable try against Australia in last season's Tri-Nations when he powered through two Wallaby tacklers on his way to the line proved he has strength that belies his size.

Geo Cronje

The 22-year-old second row has rocketed into the South Africa squad after a fantastic season with the Bulls in Super 12.

Robust and athletic, the bearded lock could be in line for his international debut after a series of disappointing displays from the Springbok pack.

Cronje is able to dominate the line-out with his muscular 6ft 6in frame and could help beef up the South Africa scrum if he is given his chance.

AUSTRALIA STEVE KEFU Date of birth: 16/12/1979 Test caps: 4 Test tries: 1 LOTE TUQIRI Date of birth: 23/9/1979 Test caps: 3 Test tries: 0

Steve Kefu

Following in the international footsteps of older brother Toutai, Kefu has quickly established himself in the Wallaby midfield.

A solid and aggressive tackler with great strengths as a defensive organiser, few players will make it past Kefu in the centre.

But there is more to Kefu's game than simply stopping other sides playing.

The 23-year-old has shown some silky handling and running skills to go with his destructiveness and will be looking to cement his World Cup slot with an impressive Tri-Nations campaign.

Lote Tuqiri

A rugby league sensation, Tuqiri joined the likes of Mat Rogers and Wendell Sailor in making the switch to union and the 23-year-old has made a smooth transition.

A superb athlete, Tuqiri's pace and power have caused opposition defences problems in the Super 12, and the winger has shown enough in his three substitute Test appearances to suggest he will be a real threat at international level.

Also a handy goal kicker, Tuqiri is a valuable addition to the Wallaby squad.