New Zealand vs Australia

Lore & Background

The team's first test match against Australia occurred on 15 August 1903 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, resulting in a 22–3 victory. Since their international debut in 1903, the All Blacks have played test matches against 19 nations, of which 12 have never won a game against the team.

In Their Own Story

The air in Eden Park was thick with humidity and the roar of forty thousand voices. On the sideline, the All Blacks' captain adjusted his headband, eyes locked on the Australian scrum-half who was barking orders at his pack. The scoreboard read a single point difference with minutes remaining. There were no helmets to hide behind, only the raw collision of bodies in black and gold. As the ball was popped from the ruck, time seemed to suspend; this wasn't just a match, it was history repeating itself, a century of tension distilled into one final play where the fate of the Cup hung in the balance.

Reader's Guide

It only states that New Zealand has recorded more wins than losses against every international opponent.

Did You Know?

• The All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup in 1987, 2011, and 2015.
• They were the first country to retain the Rugby World Cup.
• Since the introduction of the World Rugby Rankings in 2003, New Zealand has held the number-one ranking longer than all other teams combined.
• The team's first match took place in 1884 in New South Wales.