The Bledisloe Cup | Part IV
Global Stages and Record Streaks: Integrating the Cup into the Tri Nations and Rugby Championship (1990–2025)
This final chapter covers the integration of the Bledisloe Cup into a major annual competition, and the intense drama of record-breaking crowds, venue expansion, and prolonged dominance by New Zealand.
1994 | George Gregan’s Legendary Try-Saving Tackle
In this one-off series, George Gregan made a late, try-saving effort on All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson at the Sydney Football Ground, tackling him just short of the line and forcing Wilson to knock the ball on. Australia secured the match with a score of 20–16, winning the series.
1996 | Launch of the Tri Nations and a Record All Blacks Win
The Bledisloe Cup became contested as part of the new Tri Nations tournament starting in 1996. In that year, New Zealand secured their biggest winning margin to date, defeating Australia 43–6 in Wellington.
1998–2002 | The Australian Golden Era
This five-year span marks the longest period the All Blacks have gone without holding the trophy. During this run, Australia won the cup five times in a row. New Zealand recorded their worst record against any team over an 11-match run, losing eight of those games to Australia.
World Record for largest attendance at a Rugby Union Match (1999) by Guinness World RecordsRugby Australia
1999 | World Record Attendance
A Bledisloe Cup match drew a world record crowd of 109,874 at Stadium Australia in Sydney. In that year, Australia retained the cup with a 28–7 victory in Sydney.
2000 | The "Game of the Century"
A match played in Sydney was widely dubbed 'The Greatest Ever Rugby Match'. Although Australia achieved a famous comeback, New Zealand ultimately won 39–35 with a stoppage-time try from Jonah Lomu. Despite the loss, Australia retained the cup for the third year in a row.
2002 | Australia's Last Triumph
Australia last held the Bledisloe Cup in 2002, winning their fifth consecutive title. The final series match victory (16–14 in Sydney) was secured by a Matt Burke match-winning penalty after the siren. The All Blacks have consistently held the cup since this victory.
2008 - 2010 | Globalisation of the Contest
The competition was played outside Australia and New Zealand for the first time outside of a World Cup. Hong Kong Stadium hosted the first neutral match in 2008, and then again in 2010. Tokyo, Japan, hosted a match in 2009 to promote rugby ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
2012 | The Introduction of The Rugby Championship
The structural format changed as the annual tournament was rebranded from the Tri Nations to The Rugby Championship with the inclusion of Argentina.
2022–2025 | Format Reduction and All Blacks Dominance
Following the 2002 Wallabies victory, the All Blacks established a dominance that extended to 22 consecutive years by 2024, having won the trophy 52 times overall to Australia's 12. Simultaneously, the annual series was officially reduced from three tests to two matches from 2022 through 2025.
Story created by Museum, Archives and Art Services for Rugby Australia.
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