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Home / Sport / Rugby / All Blacks

A close look at the Wallabies woeful run at Eden Park

NZ Herald
17 Oct, 2016 02:35 AM3 mins to read

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A dejected Wallabies team after last year's Bledisoe Cup clash at Eden Park. Photosport

A dejected Wallabies team after last year's Bledisoe Cup clash at Eden Park. Photosport

It is one of the most famous hoodoos in sport. The Wallabies' last victory against the All Blacks at Eden Park was in 1986, when the Alan Jones-coached side won by an impressive 22-9 to clinch the series in New Zealand.

The record is so bad, that winning at Eden Park has become un-Australian.

Here's a potted history of the Wallabies' visits to the home of New Zealand rugby during the last 31 years.

Since the 1986 victory, they have suffered 16 straight defeats.

The All Blacks have scored more than twice the number of points as Australia in those games, the average scoreline being 28-14.

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The teams that day 30 years ago were:

NZ: Kieran Crowley, John Kirwan, Joe Stanley, Arthur Stone, Craig Green, Frano Botica (replaced by Marty Berry), David Kirk (c); Mike Brewer, Jock Hobbs, Mark Shaw, Murray Pierce, Gary Whetton, Gary Knight, Hika Reid, Steve McDowall.

Australia: Andrew Leeds, Matt Burke, Brett Papworth, Andrew Slack (c), David Campese, Michael Lynagh, Nick Farr-Jones; Steve Tuynman, Jeff Miller, Simon Poidevin, Bill Campbell, Steve Cutler, Topo Rodriguez, Tom Lawton, Mark Hartill.

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Closest defeat: 6-3, 1991
Victory was there for the taking but Michael Lynagh suffered the goalkicking horrors (All Blacks ace Grant Fox also had his problems) in a match which featured long runs by two female streakers.

Biggest defeat: 51-20, 2014
After a draw in Sydney, the All Blacks went berserk scoring their biggest victory over the Wallabies with Richie McCaw scoring twice after an early yellow card.

Last encounter: 41-13, 2015
Australia went into the clash with a chance to lift the Bledisloe for the first time since 2003 following a win over the All Blacks in Sydney, the All Blacks last defeat. All Blacks greats Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu played their final tests on home soil, with Smith and Nonu both scoring in the four tries to one victory.

Most significant defeat 1: 6-20, 2011 RWC semifinal
After a draining quarterfinal win over South Africa, Australia were hit by a powerful opening surge from the All Blacks, the home side's best display in the tournament.

Discover more

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Most significant defeat 2: 17-21, 2003 - Bledisloe Cup
The end of a wonderful Wallabies era, as the All Blacks claimed the Bledisloe for the first time since 1997. The Wallabies got significant revenge two months later in the World Cup semifinal in Sydney.

Interesting fact 1
The Wallabies haven't scored a first half try at Eden Park since 2009. Their halftime score in last four encounters - 0, 6, 0, 6, 6.

Interesting fact 2
They led at halftime in three of the 16 defeats.

Interesting fact 3
Of the 46 players involved in the Wallabies-All Blacks test Christchurch this year, only 10 were alive the last time Australia beat New Zealand at Eden Park.

Interesting fact 4
The Wallabies have won at Eden Park in more recent times, beating Wales in the 2011 Rugby World Cup bronze final. They did however lose to Ireland during pool play at Eden Park making their record 1-17 at Eden Park since the 1986 victory.

The Wallabies have lost 19-straight against the All Blacks in New Zealand since their 23-15 win in Dunedin in 2001.

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Last time Australia won in:
Dunedin - 2001 (Lost 1 since)
Wellington - 2000 (Lost 4 since)
Christchurch - 1998 (Lost 3 since)
Aucklamd - 1986 (Lost 16 since)

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