The Bledisloe Cup has been a source of pain for Wallabies fans for the past two decades. Former players Mat Rogers, Justin Marshall, and Mils Muliaina provided some interesting insights into the 2003 trophy transfer that sparked this long period of disappointment.
Rogers humorously recalled that when Australia last held the trophy, Eminem had just released The Marshall Mathers LP and the fashion was quite different too. From 1998 to 2002, the Wallabies were dominant, with Rogers scoring a crucial try in the 16-14 victory over the All Blacks in Sydney.
In that match, with 10 minutes to go, Rogers dropped the ball and thought to himself, “I’ve just lost the Bledisloe Cup.” However, he managed to redeem himself by scoring a try right next to the post. Unfortunately, the victory was not secured as the kicker, Burke, missed the conversion.
The following year, in the first game of 2003, the All Blacks sought revenge and defeated the Wallabies in a 50-21 thrashing in Sydney. Marshall revealed that their bus had broken down and they arrived at the game just 35 minutes before kickoff. Despite the officials suggesting a delay, the All Blacks insisted on playing.
In the return match at Eden Park, New Zealand won again, securing a stranglehold on the Bledisloe Cup with a 21-17 victory. Since then, the Wallabies have been unable to reclaim the trophy, much to the frustration of every player who has tried.
The All Blacks have developed a strong sense of responsibility not to be the team that lets go of the coveted cup. They have made it nearly impossible for Australia to win it back, creating a foundation for their dominance in the tournament.
For the New Zealand players, the Bledisloe Cup is second only to the Rugby World Cup in terms of importance. The taste of beer from the trophy is one of the special reasons it holds significance for them, along with the pain and hardship that comes with it.
In conclusion, the Bledisloe Cup has been a source of frustration for Wallabies fans for the past two decades. The 2003 transfer of the trophy marked the beginning of the All Blacks’ dominance, which they have maintained with a strong sense of responsibility. Despite the efforts of every Wallaby who has played since, the cup remains out of their grasp.
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
