Bledisloe Cup

Bledisloe Cup

Bledisloe Cup on display in Sydney 2014.
Sport Rugby union
Instituted 1931
Number of teams 2
Country  New Zealand
 Australia
Holders  New Zealand (since 2003)
Most titles  New Zealand (43 titles)

Rugby Union's Bledisloe Cup is contested by the Australia national rugby union team and New Zealand national rugby union team. It is named after Lord Bledisloe, the former Governor-General of New Zealand who donated the trophy in 1931. The trophy was designed in New Zealand by Nelson Isaac, and crafted by Walker and Hall in Sheffield, England. It is physically the largest trophy in world rugby.

Once played irregularly every few years, Bledisloe Cup matches now happen annually, and include Rugby Championship (formerly Tri Nations) fixtures between the two sides. Their World Cup fixtures do not count as Bledisloe Cup matches, which were always played in Australia or New Zealand. However, 2008 saw a Bledisloe Cup match held outside the two countries for the first time when the teams met in Hong Kong, and a 2009 Bledisloe Cup match was played in Tokyo.[1]

New Zealand has dominated the cup in recent times, winning or retaining it 13 times in a row (2003–2015).

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).[2] 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,[3] proved to be a financial success for the two unions, generating a reported £5.5 million.[4] 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 is expected to clear at least A$3.8 million/NZ$5 million from the Tokyo match.[1] However a 2010 fourth match was set in Hong Kong and has struggled to attract crowds.[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.

Results

Year Date Venue Home Score Away Match Winner Trophy

Winner

2015 15 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  41 – 13  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
8 August ANZ Stadium, Sydney Australia  27 – 19  New Zealand  Australia
2014 18 October Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  28 – 29  New Zealand  New Zealand New Zealand
23 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  51 – 20  Australia  New Zealand
16 August ANZ Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  12 – 12  New Zealand Draw
2013 19 October Otago Stadium, Dunedin New Zealand  41 – 33  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
24 August Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington New Zealand  27 – 16  Australia  New Zealand
17 August ANZ Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  29 – 47  New Zealand  New Zealand
2012 20 October Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  18 – 18  New Zealand Draw New Zealand
25 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  22 – 0  Australia  New Zealand
18 August ANZ Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  19 – 27  New Zealand  New Zealand
2011 27 August Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  25 – 20  New Zealand  Australia New Zealand
6 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  30 – 14  Australia  New Zealand
2010 30 October Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong Australia  26 – 24  New Zealand  Australia New Zealand
11 September ANZ Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  22 – 23  New Zealand  New Zealand
7 August AMI Stadium, Christchurch New Zealand  20 – 10  Australia  New Zealand
31 July Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, Victoria Australia  28 – 49  New Zealand  New Zealand
2009 31 October National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan New Zealand  32 – 19  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
19 September Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington New Zealand  33 – 6  Australia  New Zealand
22 August Stadium Australia, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  18 – 19  New Zealand  New Zealand
18 July Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  22 – 16  Australia  New Zealand
2008 1 November Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong New Zealand  19 – 14  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
13 September Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  24 – 28  New Zealand  New Zealand
2 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  39 – 10  Australia  New Zealand
26 July Stadium Australia, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  34 – 19  New Zealand  Australia
2007 21 July Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  26 – 12  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
30 June Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Victoria Australia  20 – 15  New Zealand  Australia
2006 19 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  34 – 27  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
29 July Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  9 – 13  New Zealand  New Zealand
8 July Jade Stadium, Christchurch New Zealand  32 – 12  Australia  New Zealand
2005 3 September Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  34 – 24  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
13 August Stadium Australia, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  13 – 30  New Zealand  New Zealand
2004 7 August Stadium Australia, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  23 – 18  New Zealand  Australia New Zealand
17 July Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington New Zealand  16 – 7  Australia  New Zealand
2003 16 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  21 – 17  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
26 July Stadium Australia, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  21 – 50  New Zealand  New Zealand
2002 3 August Stadium Australia, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  16 – 14  New Zealand  Australia Australia
13 July Jade Stadium, Christchurch New Zealand  12 – 6  Australia  New Zealand
2001 1 September Stadium Australia, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  29 – 26  New Zealand  Australia Australia
11 August Carisbrook, Dunedin New Zealand  15 – 23  Australia  Australia
2000 5 August Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington New Zealand  23 – 24  Australia  Australia Australia
15 July Stadium Australia, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  35 – 39  New Zealand  New Zealand
1999 28 August Stadium Australia, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  28 – 7  New Zealand  Australia Australia
24 July Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  34 – 15  Australia  New Zealand
1998 29 August Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  19 – 14  New Zealand  Australia Australia
1 August Lancaster Park, Christchurch New Zealand  23 – 27  Australia  Australia
11 July Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Victoria Australia  24 – 16  New Zealand  Australia
1997 16 August Carisbrook, Dunedin New Zealand  36 – 24  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
26 July Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Victoria New Zealand  18 – 33  New Zealand  New Zealand
5 July Lancaster Park, Christchurch New Zealand  30 – 13  Australia  New Zealand
1996 27 July Lang Park, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  25 – 32  New Zealand  New Zealand New Zealand
6 July Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  43 – 6  Australia  New Zealand
1995 29 July Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  23 – 34  New Zealand  New Zealand New Zealand
22 July Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  28 – 16  Australia  New Zealand
1994 17 August Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  20 – 16  New Zealand  Australia Australia
1993 17 July Carisbrook, Dunedin New Zealand  25 – 10  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
1992 25 July Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  23 – 26  New Zealand  New Zealand Australia
19 July Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  19 – 17  New Zealand  Australia
4 July Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  16 – 15  New Zealand  Australia
1991 24 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  6 – 3  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
10 August Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  21 – 12  New Zealand  Australia
1990 18 August Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  9 – 21  Australia  Australia New Zealand
4 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  27 – 17  Australia  New Zealand
21 July Lancaster Park, Christchurch New Zealand  21 – 6  Australia  New Zealand
1989 5 August Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  24 – 12  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
1988 30 July Concord Oval, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  9 – 30  New Zealand  New Zealand New Zealand
16 July Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  19 – 19  New Zealand   draw
3 July Concord Oval, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  7 – 32  New Zealand  New Zealand
1987 25 July Concord Oval, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  16 – 30  New Zealand  New Zealand New Zealand
1986 6 September Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  9 – 22  Australia  Australia Australia
23 August Carisbrook, Dunedin New Zealand  13 – 12  Australia  New Zealand
9 August Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  12 – 13  Australia  Australia
1985 29 June Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  10 – 9  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
1984 18 August Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  24 – 25  New Zealand  New Zealand New Zealand
4 August Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  15 – 19  New Zealand  New Zealand
21 July Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  16 – 9  New Zealand  Australia
1983 20 August Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  8 – 18  New Zealand  New Zealand New Zealand
1982 11 September Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  33 – 18  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
28 August Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  16 – 19  Australia  Australia
14 August Lancaster Park, Christchurch New Zealand  23 – 16  Australia  New Zealand
1980 12 July Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  26 – 10  New Zealand  Australia Australia
28 June Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  9 – 12  New Zealand  New Zealand
21 June Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  13 – 9  New Zealand  Australia
1979 28 July Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  12 – 6  New Zealand  Australia Australia
1978 9 September Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  16 – 30  Australia  Australia New Zealand
26 August Lancaster Park, Christchurch New Zealand  22 – 6  Australia  New Zealand
19 August Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  13 – 12  Australia  New Zealand
1974 8 June 1974 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  6 – 16  New Zealand  New Zealand New Zealand
1 June 1974 Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  16 – 16  New Zealand draw
25 May 1974 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  6 – 11  New Zealand  New Zealand
1972 16 September 1972 Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  38 – 3  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
2 September 1972 Lancaster Park, Christchurch New Zealand  30 – 17  Australia  New Zealand
19 August 1972 Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  29 – 6  Australia  New Zealand
1968 22 June 1968 Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  18 – 19  New Zealand  New Zealand New Zealand
15 June 1968 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  11 – 27  New Zealand  New Zealand
1967 19 August 1967 Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  29 – 9  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
1964 29 August 1964 Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  5 – 20  Australia  Australia New Zealand
22 August 1964 Lancaster Park, Christchurch New Zealand  18 – 3  Australia  New Zealand
15 August 1964 Carisbrook, Dunedin New Zealand  14 – 9  Australia  New Zealand
1962 22 September 1962 Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  16 – 8  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
8 September 1962 Carisbrook, Dunedin New Zealand  3 – 0  Australia  New Zealand
25 August 1962 Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  9 – 9  Australia   draw
4 June 1962 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  5 – 14  New Zealand  New Zealand
26 May 1962 Exhibition Ground, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  6 – 20  New Zealand  New Zealand
1958 20 September 1958 Epsom Showgrounds, Auckland New Zealand  17 – 8  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
6 September 1958 Lancaster Park, Christchurch New Zealand  3 – 6  Australia  Australia
23 August 1958 Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  25 – 3  Australia  New Zealand
1957 1 June 1957 Exhibition Ground, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  9 – 22  New Zealand  New Zealand New Zealand
25 May 1957 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  11 – 25  New Zealand  New Zealand
1955 17 September 1955 Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  3 – 8  Australia  Australia New Zealand
3 September 1955 Carisbrook, Dunedin New Zealand  8 – 0  Australia  New Zealand
20 August 1955 Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  16 – 8  Australia  New Zealand
1952 13 September 1952 Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  15 – 8  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
6 September 1952 Lancaster Park, Christchurch New Zealand  9 – 14  Australia  Australia
1951 21 July 1951 Woolloongabba Ground, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  6 – 16  New Zealand  New Zealand New Zealand
7 July 1951 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  11 – 17  New Zealand  New Zealand
23 June 1951 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  0 – 8  New Zealand  New Zealand
1949 24 September 1949 Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  9 – 16  Australia  Australia Australia
3 September 1949 Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  6 – 11  Australia  Australia
1947 28 June 1947 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  14 – 27  New Zealand  New Zealand New Zealand
14 June 1947 Exhibition Ground, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  5 – 13  New Zealand  New Zealand
1946 28 September 1946 Eden Park, Auckland New Zealand  14 – 10  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
14 September 1946 Carisbrook, Dunedin New Zealand  31 – 8  Australia  New Zealand
1938 13 August Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  6 – 14  New Zealand  New Zealand New Zealand
6 August Exhibition Ground, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  14 – 20  New Zealand  New Zealand
23 July Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  9 – 24  New Zealand  New Zealand
1936 12 September Carisbrook, Dunedin New Zealand  38 – 13  Australia  New Zealand New Zealand
5 September Athletic Park, Wellington New Zealand  11 – 6  Australia  New Zealand
1934 25 August Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  3 – 3  New Zealand   draw Australia
11 August Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  25 – 11  New Zealand  Australia
1932 23 July 1932 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  13 – 21  New Zealand  New Zealand New Zealand
16 July Exhibition Ground, Brisbane, Queensland Australia  3 – 21  New Zealand  New Zealand
2 July Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, New South Wales Australia  22 – 17  New Zealand  Australia

Overall

Most titles won:

  1. New Zealand - 43 (including 1931)
  2. Australia - 12

Longest time held by Australia: 5 years (1998–2002) (5 Titles)

Longest time held by New Zealand: 28 years (1951–1978) (12 Titles)

Most titles in a row by New Zealand: (2003–2015) (13 Titles)

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. 1 2 Matheson, John (2009-02-22). "Fourth Bledisloe Test switched from Denver to Tokyo". Rugby Heaven. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  2. ↑ "Hong Kong to host NZ v Australia". BBC Sport. 2008-03-03. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
  3. ↑ "Australia 14-19 New Zealand". BBC Sport. 2008-11-01. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
  4. ↑ "US & Japan may host Bledisloe Cup". BBC Sport. 2008-10-31. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
  5. ↑ "Rugby: Bledisloe test locked in for Hong Kong". Otago Daily Times. 13 September 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2011.

External links

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