Bledisloe Cup Previews, Predictions & Betting Tips

The Bledisloe Cup remains a symbol of rugby union supremacy between traditional rivals Australia and New Zealand. The annual competition has been played between the two countries since the 1930’s, with the All Blacks dominating the contest. 

The winning side of the three match Test series retains possession of the Bledisloe Cup. The Bledisloe Cup was named after New Zealand’s Lord Bledisloe, who awarded the Cup to after the first Test match between Australia and New Zealand in 1931. The two sides have played for the Bledisloe Cup ever since that famous first match in New Zealand.

The series was originally played as a one off Test match between New Zealand and Australia from 1931 to 1981. As interest in the contest between the two sides grew, the series was expanded to two Tests. 

From 1982 to 2006 the series was originally a two match Test series, with a drawn series meaning that the holder retained the Cup. The introduction of a third match was done to satisfy rugby purist on both sides of the Tasman. 

With the introduction of the Rugby Championship in 2012, the Bledisloe Cup was expanded to three Test matches on an annual basis. Points from the first two Test Matches between the All Blacks of New Zealand and the Wallabies of Australia would count towards the standings in the Rugby Championship. The third Test Match between the two sides would be used as tie breaker to determine the winner of the Bledisloe Cup. 

The New Zealand All Blacks remain the benchmark in world rugby and have dominated the contest against Australia since 1931. New Zealand have won the trophy 47 times since 1931 and Australia have held the trophy 12 times. 

The longest winning streak between the two sides is held by New Zealand, who held onto the Bledisloe Cup for 28 years from 1951 to 1978. Australia’s best period against New Zealand was from 1998 to 2002. In 2018 the New Zealand All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup trophy for a sixteenth consecutive season, a new record with Australia last winning the trophy in 2003. 

Overall there have been 140 matches between Australia and New Zealand with the All Blacks winning 98, Wallabies 36 with six draws.

The series has only traveled three times outside of Australia and New Zealand with two Test matches being held in Hong Kong in 2008 and 2010. The 2008 Test Match was won by New Zealand 19-14 while Australia won the 2010 Test Match 26-24. The two sides contest a game in Tokyo in 2009 with New Zealand winning 32-19.

Here at FreeTips.com we provide regular Bledisloe Cup Tips which include our Bledisloe Cup Outright Winner, handicap markets, first tryscorer tips, anytime tryscorer tips and game total tips.

At FreeTips.com you will find expertly researched Bledisloe Cup tips that you can use to build your bankroll and win consistently in the Bledisloe Cup contest.