All Blacks vs Wallabies: Is this the greatest rivalry in rugby?

All Blacks vs Wallabies: Is this the greatest rivalry in rugby?

Helix Odhiambo
updated at June 19, 2023 at 5:26 AM

Australia and New Zealand are two of the most prosperous nations in rugby. The two countries have invested heavily in the sport and produced many great talents. In their head-to-head stats, New Zealand (the All Blacks) has dominated their neighbours Australia (the Wallabies). Here is all you need to know about the All Blacks vs Wallabies rivalry, including when it began and all the stats.

All Blacks vs Wallabies all-time stats
Brodie Retallick (top) of the All Blacks during the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup match against the Australia Wallabies at Eden Park on 24 September 2022 in Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: Greg Bowker
Source: Getty Images

The fierce rivalry between the two teams has existed for over 112 years. They have met in numerous competitions and grounds, with the All Blacks winning the most times. So, why are Australia and New Zealand rivals? How many rugby championships have they won?

All Blacks vs Wallabies history

Australia and their historic rivals met for the first time in 1903 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where New Zealand won 22-3. Their latest meeting was on 16 September 2022, as the All Blacks triumphed 37-39 to win the Rugby Championship Bledisloe Cup.

Do Australia and New Zealand get along?

Why are Australia and New Zealand rivals?
The All Blacks (L) and the Wallabies line up before the Tri-Nations Bledisloe Cup match at Telstra Stadium on 13 August 2005 in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Ian Waldie
Source: Getty Images

The two countries share a longstanding and close political relationship despite the rivalry in rugby. They have mutual ties in politics, trade, and economic fields. The two nations have competed in several sports and produced world-class cricket, netball, and rugby players.

All Blacks vs Wallabies head-to-head

The All Blacks vs Wallabies all-time stats favour the three-times World Cup champions, New Zealand. The two have met 175 times since 1903. The multiple world champion leads the fixture with 122 victories, while their neighbours have 45 wins. Only eight of their matches ended in a draw.

New Zealand

Draw

Australia

Total

122

8

45

175

Are the All Blacks the most successful rugby team?

New Zealand is the most successful rugby team on earth. They have three World Cups (1987, 2011, 2015) and finished as runners-up once (1995). They won the inaugural edition in 1987. South Africa also has three (1995, 2007, 2019), Australia has lifted the title once (1991, 1999), while England has one (2003). Below is a breakdown of All Blacks vs Wallabies awards and achievements in world rugby.

All Blacks vs Wallabies trophies

All Blacks vs Wallabies trophies
New Zealand's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Rugby Championship against Australia at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on 15 September 2022. Photo: William West
Source: Getty Images

New Zealand is the first rugby team to win 500 Test matches. They have also won 10 Tri-Nations trophies, while Australia and South Africa have three. The All Blacks have also won the World Rugby's Team of the Year title seven times from 2010-2016, while Australia won it once in 2001.

In the Bledisloe Cup, New Zealand dominates with 48 titles, while Australia has 12. The All Blacks won it for 19 years, from 2003-2021.

Australia

New Zealand

Games won

45

122

World Cups

1

3

Tri-Nations

3

10

Bledisloe Cups

12

48

Team of the Year

1

7

What is the Bledisloe Cup?

It is one of the most anticipated competitions between Australia and New Zealand rugby. The Bledisloe Cup was named after New Zealand's governor-general, Lord Bledisloe, who won many silver trophies. The All Blacks won the inaugural edition by 20-13 in 1931 in Auckland.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series Standings

According to the latest sevens standings (June 2023), New Zealand ranks no.1 at 201 points. They have won five series (Sydney, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Toulouse). Australia 7's are fifth with 135 points, having won the Hong Kong series.

All Blacks vs Wallabies 2023 fixtures

All Blacks vs Wallabies rivalry
Wallabies players celebrate during the Rugby Championship & Bledisloe Cup match against the New Zealand All Blacks at Marvel Stadium on 15 September 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Cameron Spencer
Source: Getty Images

The two countries will face one another at least twice in 2023. They will first meet at the Rugby Championship on 29 July 2023 at the Ruby Melbourne Cricket Ground. The next fixture is the Bledisloe Cup at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, on 5 August 2023.

The historic rivalry between the two may also stretch to the 2023 Rugby World Cup scheduled from 8 September to 28 October. They could meet at the knockout stages since they are in different groups.

The All Blacks vs Wallabies achievements prove New Zealand is the most successful team. Over the years, the two neighbouring nations have established strong sides that many countries fear playing. Their rivalry has also pushed them to the limit to achieve more.

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Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.