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Wallabies v All Blacks

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Wallabies v All Blacks – News and comprehensive expert opinion

When it comes to rivalries in international rugby, there is one series that stands above all others: Wallabies versus All Blacks. For nearly 80 years, Australia and New Zealand rugby sides have contested the Bledisloe Cup, now an annual competition between the two nations that forms part of the Tri Nations competition. Literally and figuratively, it is the single biggest trophy in rugby union.

The Bledisloe Cup was named after NZ Governer-General Lord Bledisloe in 1931 after a match between the All Blacks and Wallabies at Eden Park, Auckland. Contested on an irregular basis during its early years, the Bledisloe Cup was initially dominated by the All Blacks, with the Wallabies securing the first victory at the SCG in 1934.

Annual Bledisloe Cup clashes between the Wallabies and All Blacks commenced in 1981, and the series has moved from strength to strength since then. After four consecutive All Black series victories, the 1986 Wallabies, led by Nick Farr-Jones and David Campese, recorded their first victory in 37 years.

As rugby moved into professionalism during the mid-1990s, and television exposure continued to increase, coverage of the Bledisloe Cup reached new levels, culminating in the ‘Greatest Test Ever Played’ in 2000, when nearly 110,000 spectators watched Jonah Lomu crash over in the closing minutes for a 39-35 in an unforgettable match.

The All Blacks have continued to assert their dominance over the Wallabies in recent years, winning eight out of the past ten Tri Nations series against them, and comprehensively beating the Wallabies 20-6 in the semi-final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

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Bledisloe Cup Articles

Alan Jones changed the role of Wallaby coach

Alan Jones changed the role of Wallaby coach

by , 12 Apr 2013

When Alan Jones took over the Wallaby coaching job in 1984, it became a position of importance virtually overnight. Up until then the position was regarded as a necessary evil, officially known as the assistant manager, with a seat at the back of the room at after-match receptions. The Wallaby manager was the king-pin, he [...]

Higginbotham guilty as charged? Maybe not

by , 25 Oct 2012

The reports, video captions and the back-and-forth debates by the moralists and experts on this site and elsewhere refer to Scott Higginbotham having wantonly kneed and head butted Richie McCaw. Having missed the live match I was curious to see what the fuss was about. After looking at three different video clips I realised they [...]

No tries in Bledisloe 3, but still a great contest

No tries in Bledisloe 3, but still a great contest

by , 23 Oct 2012

I had made the comment late last week in the build-up to the Brisbane Bledisloe that it really didn’t feel like a normal Bledisloe week. The Rugby Championship had been run and won already, and there was no real cross-ditch sledging as you’d normally expect. It felt, I suggested, “rather more like an end-of-season jaunt [...]

The Wallabies are back, baby!

by , 23 Oct 2012

When you’re famished after trying to survive on nothing but basic rations for a while, it’s tough to muffle your excitement when someone unexpectedly hands you a ham sandwich. That’s why, after reaching some long-awaited parity with the All Blacks on Saturday night, I’m declaring with a sound mind and a gutful of delirious bravado [...]

Wallabies take heart from tryless draw

by , 22 Oct 2012

Robbie Deans isn’t celebrating a moral victory but the Wallabies have taken special pleasure in doing what no other team has done in eight years – denying the All Blacks a try. Saturday night’s 18-18 Bledisloe draw at Suncorp Stadium was the first time since 2004, when Australia beat them 23-18 in Sydney, New Zealand [...]

Cloud hangs over Wallaby Higginbotham

by , 22 Oct 2012

Wallabies officials hold fears over Scott Higginbotham’s European tour hopes following his Richie McCaw “cheap shot” which has the All Blacks up in arms. Higginbotham is in serious doubt for at least the start of next month’s four-Test tour after being cited twice over a first-half scuffle with McCaw in the 18-all draw at Suncorp [...]

The Wallabies and the All Blacks each blow a miracle win

The Wallabies and the All Blacks each blow a miracle win

by , 22 Oct 2012 Popular article!

So there the Wallabies were, near enough to the All Blacks 22 after a series of hit-up rucks and time up with the score level 18 – 18 against the all-conquering All Blacks. What do they do? Another hit-up and get penalised. Why oh why didn’t they use some phases before setting up for a [...]

Golden era beckons for Wallabies

Golden era beckons for Wallabies

by , 22 Oct 2012

Following last weekend’s 18-18 draw with New Zealand, a few grizzled old heads will have cast their minds back to another significant draw with the All Blacks in 1988. An unheralded Wallaby side with several new combinations ran the 1987 World Champions to a 19-19 draw at Ballymore. There are more than a few parallels [...]

Australian sports fans: do you care about your team right now?

by , 22 Oct 2012

Here is a list of things I’d rather do than watch another All Blacks versus Wallabies game this year: – Vacuum – Wash my car – Read a book – Go for a walk That’s right folks – after the All Blacks’ 16 straight Test wins and domination of Bledisloe Cup encounters since 2003, the [...]

Craig Williams shows Sharpe how to make a big call

Craig Williams shows Sharpe how to make a big call

by , 22 Oct 2012

Top jockeys Jim Cassidy and Craig Williams, along with Wallaby skipper Nathan Sharpe, had to make critical decisions on Saturday. Despite their vast experience, only Williams made the right one. Cassidy and Williams were head-to-head in the Caulfield Cup in almost identical situations, both drawn on the two outside barriers 18 and 19. No horse [...]


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