Bledisloe Cup

Bledisloe Cup
Bledisloe Cup on display in Sydney 2014.
Sport Rugby union
Instituted 1931
Number of teams 2
Country  Australia
 New Zealand
Holders  New Zealand
Most titles  New Zealand (46 titles)

The Bledisloe Cup is a rugby union competition between the national teams of Australia and New Zealand that has been competed for since the 1930s. The frequency at which the competition has been held and the number of matches played has varied, but as of 2016, it consists of an annual three-match series, with two of the matches also counting towards The Rugby Championship. New Zealand have had the most success, winning the trophy for the 47th time in 2018, while Australia have won 12 times.

History

Bledisloe Cup Festival Day 2014 in Sydney

There is some dispute as to when the first Bledisloe Cup match was played. The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) contend that the one-off 1931 match played at Eden Park was first. However, no firm evidence has been produced to support this claim, and minutes from a New Zealand union management meeting several days later record Lord Bledisloe wishing to present a cup for the All Blacks and Wallabies to play for. The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) believe that the first match was when New Zealand toured Australia in 1932.

Between 1931 and 1981 it was contested irregularly in the course of rugby tours between the two countries. New Zealand won it 19 times and Australia four times in this period including in 1949 when Australia won it for the first time on New Zealand soil. The trophy itself was apparently 'lost' during this period and reportedly rediscovered in a Melbourne store room. In the years 1982 to 1995 it was contested annually, sometimes as a series of three matches (two in 1995) and other times in a single match. During these years New Zealand won it 11 times and Australia three times.

Since 1996 the cup has been contested as part of the annual Tri Nations tournament. Until 1998 the cup was contested in a three match series: the two Tri Nations matches between these sides and a third match. New Zealand won these series in 1996 and 1997, and Australia won it in 1998.

In 1996 and from 1999 through 2005, the third match was not played; during those years, Australia and New Zealand played each other twice as part of the Tri Nations for the cup. If both teams won one of these games, or if both games were drawn, the cup was retained by its current holder. The non-holder had to win the two games 2–0 or 1–0 (with a draw) to regain the Cup. A criticism of this system was that with the closeness in the level of ability between the two sides, years where each team won one game each were very common (1999, 2000, 2002, 2004) and in these years, many rugby fans felt dissatisfied with one team keeping the cup in a series tied at 1–1.

2006 saw the return of the 3-game contest for the Bledisloe Cup as the Tri Nations series was extended so that each team played each other 3 times. The 2007 Cup, however, reverted to the two-game contest because the Tri Nations was abbreviated that year to minimise interference with the teams' preparations for the World Cup.

In 2008 it was announced that the Bledisloe Cup would be contested over an unprecedented four matches, with three games played in Australia and New Zealand and a fourth and potentially deciding game in Hong Kong in an effort to promote the game in Asia (the first time Australia and New Zealand played in a third country outside the World Cup).[1] The Hong Kong match, which drew a crowd of 39,000 to see the All Blacks (which had already clinched the Bledisloe Cup) defeat the Wallabies 19–14,[2] proved to be a financial success for the two unions, generating a reported £5.5 million.[3] Even before the match, the two countries' rugby federations were considering taking Cup matches to the United States and Japan in 2009 and 2010. Japan hosted a fourth Bledisloe Test match on 31 October 2009. Each team expected to clear at least A$3.8 million/NZ$5 million from the Tokyo match.[4] A 2010 fourth match was set in Hong Kong and failed to attract sufficient ticket sales.[5]

The three-match format for the Bledisloe Cup continued in 2012, with the first two matches taking place as part of the 2012 Rugby Championship.

Matches

Details P  Australia  New Zealand D Australia points New Zealand points
Australia Australia 68 21 42 5 1144 1452
New Zealand New Zealand 69 14 54 1 881 1529
Neutral venue 3 1 2 0 59 75
Overall 140 36 98 6 2084 3046

Results

Year Date Venue Home Score Away Trophy
Winner
2018 27 October Nissan Stadium, Yokohama New Zealand  –  Australia New Zealand
25 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  40–12  Australia
18 August Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  13–38  New Zealand
2017 21 October Lang Park, Brisbane Australia  23–18  New Zealand New Zealand
26 August Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin New Zealand  35–29  Australia
19 August Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  34–54  New Zealand
2016 22 October Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  37–10  Australia New Zealand
27 August Westpac Stadium, Wellington New Zealand  29–9  Australia
20 August Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  8–42  New Zealand
2015 15 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  41–13  Australia New Zealand
8 August Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  27–19  New Zealand
2014 18 October Lang Park, Brisbane Australia  28–29  New Zealand New Zealand
23 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  51–20  Australia
16 August Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  12–12  New Zealand
2013 19 October Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin New Zealand  41–33  Australia New Zealand
24 August Westpac Stadium, Wellington New Zealand  27–16  Australia
17 August Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  29–47  New Zealand
2012 20 October Lang Park, Brisbane Australia  18–18  New Zealand New Zealand
25 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  22–0  Australia
18 August Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  19–27  New Zealand
2011 27 August Lang Park, Brisbane Australia  25–20  New Zealand New Zealand
6 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  30–14  Australia
2010 30 October Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong Australia  26–24  New Zealand New Zealand
11 September Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  22–23  New Zealand
7 August Lancaster Park, Christchurch New Zealand  20–10  Australia
31 July Docklands Stadium, Melbourne Australia  28–49  New Zealand
2009 31 October National Stadium, Tokyo New Zealand  32–19  Australia New Zealand
19 September Westpac Stadium, Wellington New Zealand  33–6  Australia
22 August Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  18–19  New Zealand
18 July Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  22–16  Australia
2008 1 November Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong New Zealand  19–14  Australia New Zealand
13 September Lang Park, Brisbane Australia  24–28  New Zealand
2 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  39–10  Australia
26 July Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  34–19  New Zealand
2007 21 July Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  26–12  Australia New Zealand
30 June MCG, Melbourne Australia  20–15  New Zealand
2006 19 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  34–27  Australia New Zealand
29 July Lang Park, Brisbane Australia  9–13  New Zealand
8 July Lancaster Park, Christchurch New Zealand  32–12  Australia
2005 3 September Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  34–24  Australia New Zealand
13 August Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  13–30  New Zealand
2004 7 August Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  23–18  New Zealand New Zealand
17 July Westpac Stadium, Wellington New Zealand  16–7  Australia
2003 16 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  21–17  Australia New Zealand
26 July Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  21–50  New Zealand
2002 3 August Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  16–14  New Zealand Australia
13 July Lancaster Park, Christchurch New Zealand  12–6  Australia
2001 1 September Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  29–26  New Zealand Australia
11 August Carisbrook, Dunedin New Zealand  15–23  Australia
2000 5 August Westpac Stadium, Wellington New Zealand  23–24  Australia Australia
15 July Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  35–39  New Zealand
1999 28 August Stadium Australia, Sydney Australia  28–7  New Zealand Australia
24 July Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  34–15  Australia
1998 29 August Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Australia  19–14  New Zealand Australia
1 August Lancaster Park, Christchurch New Zealand  23–27  Australia
11 July MCG, Melbourne Australia  24–16  New Zealand
1997 16 August Carisbrook, Dunedin New Zealand  36–24  Australia New Zealand
26 July MCG, Melbourne Australia  18–33  New Zealand
5 July Lancaster Park, Christchurch New Zealand  30–13  Australia
1996 27 July Lang Park, Brisbane Australia  25–32  New Zealand New Zealand
6 July Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  43–6  Australia
1995 29 July Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Australia  23–34  New Zealand New Zealand
22 July Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  28–16  Australia
Australia 1994 17 August Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Australia  20–16  New Zealand Australia
New Zealand 1993 17 July Carisbrook, Dunedin New Zealand  25–10  Australia New Zealand
Australia 1992 25 July Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Australia  23–26  New Zealand Australia
19 July Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane 19–17
4 July Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney 16–15
1991 24 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  6–3  Australia New Zealand
10 August Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Australia  21–12  New Zealand
New Zealand 1990 18 August Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  9–21  Australia New Zealand
4 August Eden Park, Auckland 27–17
21 July Lancaster Park, Christchurch 21–6
New Zealand 1989 5 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  24–12  Australia New Zealand
Australia 1988 30 July Concord Oval, Sydney Australia  9–30  New Zealand New Zealand
16 July Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane 19–19
3 July Concord Oval, Sydney 7–32
Australia 1987 25 July Concord Oval, Sydney Australia  16–30  New Zealand New Zealand
New Zealand 1986 6 September Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  9–22  Australia Australia
23 August Carisbrook, Dunedin 13–12
9 August Athletic Park, Wellington 12–13
New Zealand 1985 29 June Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  10–9  Australia New Zealand
Australia 1984 18 August SCG, Sydney Australia  24–25  New Zealand New Zealand
4 August Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane 15–19
21 July SCG, Sydney 16–9
Australia 1983 20 August SCG, Sydney Australia  8–18  New Zealand New Zealand
New Zealand 1982 11 September Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  33–18  Australia New Zealand
28 August Athletic Park, Wellington 16–19
14 August Lancaster Park, Christchurch 23–16
Australia 1980 12 July SCG, Sydney Australia  26–10  New Zealand Australia
28 June Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane 9–12
21 June SCG, Sydney 13–9
Australia 1979 28 July SCG, Sydney Australia  12–6  New Zealand Australia
New Zealand 1978 9 September Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  16–30  Australia New Zealand
26 August Lancaster Park, Christchurch 22–6
19 August Athletic Park, Wellington 13–12
Australia 1974 8 June SCG, Sydney Australia  6–16  New Zealand New Zealand
1 June Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane 16–16
25 May SCG, Sydney 6–11
New Zealand 1972 16 September Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  38–3  Australia New Zealand
2 September Lancaster Park, Christchurch 30–17
19 August Athletic Park, Wellington 29–6
Australia 1968 22 June Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane Australia  18–19  New Zealand New Zealand
15 June SCG, Sydney 11–27
New Zealand 1967 19 August Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  29–9  Australia New Zealand
New Zealand 1964 29 August Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  5–20  Australia New Zealand
22 August Lancaster Park, Christchurch 18–3
15 August Carisbrook, Dunedin 14–9
New Zealand 1962 22 September Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  16–8  Australia New Zealand
8 September Carisbrook, Dunedin 3–0
25 August Athletic Park, Wellington 9–9
Australia 1962 4 June SCG, Sydney Australia  5–14  New Zealand New Zealand
26 May Exhibition Ground, Brisbane 6–20
New Zealand 1958 20 September Epsom Showgrounds, Auckland New Zealand  17–8  Australia New Zealand
6 September Lancaster Park, Christchurch 3–6
23 August Athletic Park, Wellington 25–3
Australia 1957 1 June Exhibition Ground, Brisbane Australia  9–22  New Zealand New Zealand
25 May SCG, Sydney 11–25
New Zealand 1955 17 September Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  3–8  Australia New Zealand
3 September Carisbrook, Dunedin 8–0
20 August Athletic Park, Wellington 16–8
New Zealand 1952 13 September Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  15–8  Australia Draw
6 September Lancaster Park, Christchurch 9–14
Australia 1951 21 July The Gabba, Brisbane Australia  6–16  New Zealand New Zealand
7 July SCG, Sydney 11–17
23 June SCG, Sydney 0–8
New Zealand 1949 24 September Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  9–16  Australia Australia
3 September Athletic Park, Wellington 6–11
Australia 1947 28 June SCG, Sydney Australia  14–27  New Zealand New Zealand
14 June Exhibition Ground, Brisbane 5–13
New Zealand 1946 28 September Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  14–10  Australia New Zealand
14 September Carisbrook, Dunedin 31–8
Australia 1938 13 August SCG, Sydney Australia  6–14  New Zealand New Zealand
6 August Exhibition Ground, Brisbane 14–20
23 July SCG, Sydney 9–24
New Zealand 1936 12 September Carisbrook, Dunedin New Zealand  38–13  Australia New Zealand
5 September Athletic Park, Wellington 11–6
Australia 1934 25 August SCG, Sydney Australia  3–3  New Zealand Australia
11 August SCG, Sydney 25–11
Australia 1932 23 July SCG, Sydney Australia  13–21  New Zealand New Zealand
16 July Exhibition Ground, Brisbane 3–21
2 July SCG, Sydney 22–17

By Year

Media coverage

In Australia, the Bledisloe Cup was televised between 1992 to 1995 by Network Ten. Since 1996, Fox Sports has televised it. They jointly televised it with Seven Network between 1996 to 2010, Nine Network in 2011 and 2012 and Network Ten since 2013.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "Hong Kong to host NZ v Australia". BBC Sport. 3 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
  2. ↑ "Australia 14–19 New Zealand". BBC Sport. 1 November 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
  3. ↑ "US & Japan may host Bledisloe Cup". BBC Sport. 31 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
  4. ↑ AAP (1 July 2009). "Wallabies to take on All Blacks in Tokyo". The Roar. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
  5. ↑ "Rugby: Bledisloe test locked in for Hong Kong". Otago Daily Times. 13 September 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2011.


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