Bledisloe Cup

Bledisloe Cup

The Bledisloe Cup is the ultimate symbol of Trans-Tasman rivalry. Donated in 1931 by the Governor-General of New Zealand, Lord Bledisloe, the Cup was first won by Australia in 1934. However it wasn't until the 1980's that Australia began to win the Cup on a more regular basis.

Competitions for the Cup have varied from one to three matches, sometimes with three-or four-year gaps between series, but since 1982 both countries have agreed to play at least one game for the Cup annually.

The introduction of the Tri-Nations series in 1996 ensured at least two matches every year on a home and away basis.

The Wallabies regained the Bledisloe Cup in 1998 with a three nil series victory, and retained it again in 1999 with the series drawn one all. The 1999 Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney provided a world record rugby crowd of 107,046 at Stadium Australia.

Australia went on to retain the Bledisloe Cup for the next three years until 2003 when a very classy All Blacks team won back the Cup in convincing fashion and in 2004, they only needed to win one game against Australia in 2004 to return it to New Zealand soil. 

In 2005, New Zealand have repeated their efforts from last year and retained the Cup, with victory against the Wallabies in Sydney. 

In 2007, the series reverted to two games due to the World Cup.  Australia won the first match, the All Blacks won the second, and as current holders of the Cup, retained it in 2007.  In 2008, it will revert back to the best of three matches.