We begin our look at the Bledisloe Cup’s top 10 rugby Tests, with numbers 10 to six featured today.
10. Australia v New Zealand – Brisbane (2006)
In many respects this was not a great Test match, but in other respects it was.
Much of the pre-Test hype surrounded Dan Carter verses Stephen Larkham. Larkham was injured for most of 2005, which was disappointing because he started 2005 very well. Carter had announced himself, well and truly, during the British Lions tour.
But neither played well on this night, which was disappointing.
Australia’s scrum performed woefully. It’s just horrible that Australia was incapable of playing good rugby from 2005-2007 due to a horrifically poor scrum.
In many instances in this Test, Australia’s advantages were surrendered because of a poor scrum. It actually felt like New Zealand were being rewarded for knock-ons with penalties!
So why does this Test make my list?
Well in many respects this was the last big-match performance from the Wallabies.
The Wallabies used to win all the tight games from 1998-2003, and even won some games they almost didn’t deserve to win.
The All Blacks were superior in many ways, but the Wallabies were incredible in defence.
Stirling Mortlock was a champion in this game. He was so feared by New Zealanders that there was talk of moving Muliana to centre, just so somebody could handle him.
When you talk about moving the world’s best fullback to stop one player, you’ve given him a compliment.
Mortlock made an incredible break in this game, and offloaded to Mark Gerrard. Unfortunately Gerrard was isolated. McCaw chased him down.
That McCaw chased him down was one thing (an openside chasing down a winger), but that McCaw got to his feet and won the ball was an incredible moment in Bledisloe Cup history.
A year later Mortlock made another amazing break in Melbourne, and this time there was four players supporting him. The difference? Australia won that game.
The All Blacks won this Test because they had the superior scrum and the superior backrow. But they were a far superior side to the Wallabies, and the Wallabies challenged them greatly, punching above their weight.
The pace of this Test was incredible, and the defence amazing.
9. Australia v New Zealand – third Test 1980 (Sydney)
The only flaw this Test match had was that the second half couldn’t possibly match the first. I am reluctant to include this Test on my list because it wasn’t close, though it certainly was exciting.
This was the Test where Peter Grigg scored his first try with an incredible chip and re-gather – one of the best I’ve seen.
This was the Test where Mark Ella executed his around-the-body pass, which led to an Australian try.
The Australian backs played all over New Zealand. They were light-years ahead of them.
8. Australia v New Zealand – second Test 2001 (Sydney)
This is a sentimental favourite of mine.
The Australian side circa 1998-2003 had an incredible ability to win games that could have gone either way.
They were a far cry from the Wallabies of 2009-2010 that consistently blew good leads, and lost games they never should have.
This was the side that retained the Bledisloe Cup in 2000 with a John Eales penalty kick.
Then when they lost the lead to South Africa a week later, they were calm enough to work a penalty which Mortlock converted (and won them the Tri Nations).
I even think the 2003 World Cup Final is a good example of the Wallabies being in the contest when they had no right to be.
The All Blacks came back after half time and regained the lead.
We all know how this one ended. Eales had the choice of going for a penalty and attempting a try from a line-out.
If I recall the first line-out attempt was a little helter-skelter, but Eales tried it again.
The game was a wonderful testimony to his leadership ability.
Larkham’s pass to Kefu was outrageous, and Kefu put in an incredible sidestep, and with tremendous reach, scored the winning try.
If Frank ever meets Kefu (God willing), he will buy him a beer.
7. Australia v New Zealand – second Test 1996 (Ballymore)
After the third Test of the 1984 Bledisloe Cup series, I regard this as the most heartbreaking loss the Wallabies have ever had.
In some respects this game mirrors that second Test from 1988 that became a draw. Australia were coming off a huge loss after a tremendous All Blacks performance. People gave them little hope of winning.
But the Wallabies surprised the All Blacks with their aggressive approach (especially Frank Bunce).
Matt Burke scored what might be the greatest individual try scored by a Wallaby in Bledisloe Cup history, when he broke one tackle, sliced past the All Blacks backrow, threw a dummy to offset Christian Culler, and ran towards the line.
My lasting memory of that try was George Gregan’s reaction from behind Matt Burke.
Australia led 22-9 with about 20 minutes remaining, and actually added three more points to that score. How Australia lost this game, I have no idea.
Well I do have some idea. Andrew Mehrtens is an incredible rugby player, and so is Frank Bunce.
Mehrtens converted an incredible penalty from halfway down the field. At that moment it seemed as if the game would unquestionably be a draw.
Into overtime it looked as though Mehrtens would attempt a field-goal. Instead he caught the Wallabies napping and executed a loop play that resulted in an unlikely try.
The All Blacks scored 23 points in less than 20 minutes. This was as heartbreaking as it gets for Australia.
6. New Zealand v Australia – first Test 1996 (Wellington)
This is the greatest performance I have ever seen from a New Zealand side. Actually, this is the greatest performance I have seen from any side.
All Blacks coach John Hart once said you can argue that the 1987-1988 All Blacks were a better side, but the heights of this Test were never reached by that side.
The most astonishing thing about this game was that such quality football was played on a football field that was basically mud!
In very rainy conditions, the All Blacks passed the ball around with tremendous abandon, and ran in some amazing tries.
My favourite try of the game came from a grubber kick that was chased down and fielded by Jonah Lomu (who had a great game), who then offloaded to Justin Marshall, who sprinted down the sideline.
This was a team that worked in all dimensions. George Gregan would later remark that this was the best side he had ever played against.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
I guess I could have taken guesses on what games were great prior to 1980. The famous game where Australia took short line-outs and quick feeds would be up there. It ended with a nonsense penalty try. I rated it the most heartbreaking loss in Australian rugby history, in an article long ago. The Paul McLean Test of 1974 (16-16) would be up there. The 1964 win in Auckland would be up there.
Calcio
Guest
Weren't any played before the 1970s? I have never ever seen any reference to any Bledisloe Cup match before 1978. Seems the competition was born then according to the game's followers.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Haven't seen most of the games since they happened so I'll rank them in terms of the impact they left on me. 10. Sydney, 1992 (3rd test) 9. Sydney, 1995 8. Sydney, 1987 7. Sydney, 1992 (1st test) 6. Sydney, 2000 5. Brisbane, 1992 4. Wellington, 1990 3. Sydney, 1994 2. Wellington, 2000 1. Sydney, 2001 I guess what you can conclude from this is that the best Bledisloe Cup matches take place in Sydney. The worst Bledisloe Cup test I've seen was 1991 at Eden Park. The streakers were more memorable than the match.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
The '99 test was played in front of 107 042 people, which was a world record for a rugby crowd. It was bettered the following year with 109,874.
Sage
Guest
Kiwi Dave is right. I was there and it was just before the 2000 Olympics, 2000. That is one of the best games I've ever seen.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
I submitted this article aggggges ago. And they cut it up into two parts. So it's too late, I'm afraid. I don't know what they'll do if I ever write '100 Reasons Why Alan Jones Should be in the Australian Rugby Hall of Fame.' Will they cut it up into 10 pieces?
Argyle
Roar Guru
time is of the essence Frank...
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
But I didn't add it... that was my point. I don't feel qualified to talk about great 70s games because I have seen so few Tests form the 70s...
Argyle
Roar Guru
Hi Frank, I am glad you included that 78 game becuase it is long forgotten that the Wallabies had not only lost their coach they also had 8 players unavailable for selection who had been injured during the tour. Appart from Cornelson, Chris Handy played a great game as did Tony Melrose, Brendan Moon, Kenny Wright (Does anyone else remeber than step?) The Great John Hipwell at 9 was sublime and of cuase Tony Shaw was never backwards in going forwards. Although Australia had defeated Wales at home in 78 that was with a stronger side this team was not supposed to win a chook raffle and they dusted the All Blacks at Eden Park. A very special day for Australian rugby in context of the rise of Australian rugby from that point forward.
Argyle
Roar Guru
Justie, I might be wrong but I am pretty sure it was Greg Smith who first switched Bernie from 15 to 10. I am fairly sure it was on the European Tour 1996/97 when Australia played against Connaught in a mid week game. I am pretty sure Smith alos moved Timmy to the wing for a peroid of time. Again I might be wrong but I have vauge recollections of when Bernie first appeared with the Brumbies his first game, against either Natal or Johannesburg was at 13?
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
I'll be honest, even though I have it on DVD, I was really only thinking about Tests from 1980-2012. I maybe should have put the Cornelson Test in the list... but there's a lot of rugby from the 70s I've never seen. I have never seen a Ray Price Test match, and I've seen less than 5 John Hipwell Tests. If I were including the 70s, then I'm sure the 1974 tied Test against New Zealand would be a contender. I've seen highlights of that game. Back then when Australian sides are down by 10 points against the All Blacks, it was game over. But they crawled back and McLean missed a conversion for the win! Mark Ella actually wrote a tiny tribute to Paul McLean once, and highlighted how his first memory of McLean was him kicking Australia to a draw in 1974. I love the try Ray Price scored in the blowy conditions. It's been a while since I've seen the Cornelson Test, but I'm sure it would have made my list. But like I say, my DVD library goes back to 1978. I tried getting footage of the Wallabies and Springboks (1963) on DVD from the ABC, but only 20 minutes exists in footage.
Harry
Guest
OK most of my work done for the week and I'm confused how you are going to narrow it down to 5 from: 3rd test 1978 - Auckland, the start of Australian rugby's climb to being a top tier nation. Greg Cornelson 4 tries. 1979 - Sydney, the 1st time Australia claims the Bledisloe in about 40 years; fearsome forward exchanges. 2nd test 1982 - Young Australian team fires up in Wellington to record a memorable win 3rd test 1982 - NZ win the series in a great game 2nd test 1992 - More than just Richard Loe's elbow made that memorable at Ballymore 1994 - Australia score in the 1st minute and get out to a good lead and then NZ come back, before Jeff Wilson makes a break, slips the tackle of Davide Campese and heads for the corner ... Sydney 2000 - Best test ever, let alone best Bledisloe Wellington 2000 - Perhaps unfairly overshadowed by the Sydney game the same year, but a marvellous match featuring the absolute pinnacle of a trainging ground set move working to perfection when Cullen scores. Brisbane 2011 - Australia on top, NZ surge back, Australia score again and just hang on. Look forward to seeing the top 5!
Hoy
Roar Guru
Holy cow. Not often you see a penalty taken as an offensive bomb @ 5.50min in.
Argyle
Roar Guru
Great Topic Frank and some great responses from both sides of the Tasman. For me though my personal favourtite was Auckland, 9 September 1978 - Australia were 2-0 down in the series, the coach Daryl Haberecht had suffered a heart attack and the guys had to go to Eden Park and take in the All Blacks in essentially a dead rubber. However it turned out to be anything but. Wallaby No 8 Greg Cornelson scored 4 tries that day and was supported by Gary Pearce who scored as well. Australia really stood up to the All Blacks who had some fearsome charchters like, Ashworth, Dalton, Knight, Haden and Oliver in their pack. Australia belted the Blacks up front that laid the platform for an historic 30-16 win. The All Blacks had never been beaten by that margin. I think this game gave the Wallabies the confidence to go on and win the 79/80 series. Although the All Blacks retained the cup Australia won the day. The fact the Wallabies have only won once since then at Eden Park puts this game into perspective.
NC
Guest
96 Athletic Park, was far and away the best exhibition of rugby football I have ever seen. And the ref blew it up with 5 to go.
Frank O'Keeffe
Guest
Fitzy on the 1992 Bledisloe Cup, and Richard Loe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyE_jaMwANY
Johnno
Guest
R.I.P David Fordham
Justin2
Guest
Best series I have ever seen and probably confirmed a lifelong love affair....with the game.
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
Thanks Frank, brings back many memories not all of them were pleasant at the time but I can't really complain about Bledisloe Cup losses as our Aussie friends are doing it much tougher. Outside of test matches, memorable moments for me are: Greg Cornelsen's four tries, up until that series wasn't even aware that Australia played rugby. Watching the Bledisloe Cup paraded around SCG in 1979, didn't even know it existed and then of course it became something we had to get back. Peter Grigg's chip and chase try in 1980 - spent hours in the backyard trying to perfect it. Seeing David Campese unleash the goose step for the first time on the 1982 tour, took me ages to work out what the hell he was doing (like all his opponents) Roger Gould's try after a double skip pass in the opening minutes of the Eden park decider in 1982 - audacious, courageous and perfectly executed. Craig Green's length of the field try from the All Blacks tapping a penalty and running it from inside their 22. This was unheard of in 1985, the All Blacks weren't renowned for their adventure and backplay like they are now. John Gallagher's try after Joe Stanley's sweet no look pass to a looping John Schuster, also memorable for the debut of one Tim Horan. The 1992 test series, still one of my all time favourites and one of the few times when I was satisfied as a rugby fan even though the All Blacks lost. Christian Cullen's solo effort at Dunedin after Zinzan Brooke found him free with a long infield pass and Cully sprinted, weaved and turned Gregan inside out. Matt Burke's try in the Silence of the Lambs test in Christchurch, the buildup and number of phases the Wallabies created and won was unheard of and simply awesome. Michael Brial's audition for the Contender with Frank Bunce, loved the way that both players resumed their positions and just carried on as if nothing unusual had happened. Damian Smith's try in the opening minute of the 1994 Bledisloe, more commonly referred to as the match featuring the "tackle" but as soon as that bomb went up and I watched Shane Howarth stand his ground I just knew a Wallaby was going to win that ball. I always felt the Bledisloe appealed as more exciting fixtures when we were trying to reclaim the trophy rather than defend it.
Jutsie
Guest
Timmy was one of the greatest but he was no 5/8. I think during our bad period of 96/97 he was played at 5/8 for a large part of it. The greatest move macqueen ever made was moving larkham from fullback to 5/8.