A trophy reflecting all the passion and pride

The Bledisloe Cup has been the symbol of trans-Tasman rugby since 1931 when it was donated by the governor-general of New Zealand, Lord Bledisloe.

Australia believe the trophy was first contested in 1931, while New Zealand contend it was in 1932. Archive material is not definitive.

Once played irregularly every few years, Bledisloe Cup matches now happen annually, and include Tri-Nations fixtures between the two sides. However, it is generally agreed it was not until the Wallabies' 12-6 win over the All Blacks at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1979 that the much-closer rivalry of the modern era started.

The competition for the Cup has varied between one and three matches, and sometimes featured a three- to four-year gap between series, although the two countries agreed in 1982 to play at least one game for the Cup annually.

The introduction of the Tri-Nations series in 1996 ensured at least two matches are played every year on a home-and-away basis. Australia dominated the trophy for five years after regaining it with a 3-0 series success in 1998. New Zealand have now held it through six consecutive series after an All Black side co-coached by current Wallabies mentor Robbie Deans won the 2003 series 2-0.

Australia have won the Bledisloe Cup 12 times, while their rivals' tally is: 37 David Campese has the most tries by an Australian in the Bledisloe Cup with: 8 The Cup is being contested four times this year, double the matches of last year: 2 Number of years New Zealand retained the Cup in 12 series from 1951-1978: 27 Statistics only begin to tell the story Most titles won New Zealand 37 (including 1931) Australia 12 Longest time held by New Zealand: 27 years (1951-1978, 12 titles) Longest time held by Australia: five years (1998-2002, five titles) Previous fixtures in 2008 July 26 (in Sydney) : Australia 34 New Zealand 19 August 2 (Auckland): New Zealand 39 Australia 10 September 13 (Brisbane): New Zealand 28 Australia 24 Most points in a test by an Australian player against New Zealand: 24 by Matthew Burke, Brisbane 1996 Most points in a test by a New Zealand player against Australia: 29 by Andrew Mehrtens, Auckland 1999 Most tries in a test by an Australian player against New Zealand: four by Greg Cornelsen, Auckland 1978 Most tries in a test by a New Zealand player against Australia: three by five players including current winger Joe Rokocoko (2003) Leading Australian test point-scorers against New Zealand: 176 Matthew Burke, 133 Michael Lynagh, 84 Stirling Mortlock, 57 Matt Giteau. Leading New Zealand test point-scorers against Australia: 202 Andrew Mehrtens, 159 Grant Fox, 144 Dan Carter. Ali Williams Age: 27 Position: Lock Caps: 56 Jerome Kaino Age: 25 Position: Loose forward Caps: 12 Richie McCaw Age: 27 Position: Loose forward Caps: 65 Rodney So'oialo Age: 29 Position: Loose forward Caps: 51 Jimmy Cowan Age: 26 Position: Scrumhalf Caps: 18 Stephen Donald Age: 24 Position: Flyhalf Caps: 6 Sitiveni Sivivatu Age: 26 Position: Wing Caps: 29 Dan Carter Age: 26 Position: Flyhalf Caps: 54 Conrad Smith Age: 27 Position: Centre Caps: 21 Hosea Gear Age: 24 Position: Wing Caps: 0 Isaia Toeava Age: 22 Position: Centre Caps: 17 Replacements Keven Mealamu Age: 29 Position: Hooker Caps: 61 Greg Somerville Age: 30 Position: Prop Caps: 57 Cory Jane Age: 25 Position: Fullback Caps: 0 Brad Thorn Age: 33 Position: Lock Caps: 20 Neemia Tialata Age: 26 Position: Prop Caps: 27 Andrew Hore Age: 30 Position: Hooker Caps: 35 Tony Woodcock Age: 27 Position: Prop Caps: 44 Adam Thomson Age: 26 Position: Loose forward Caps: 7 Piri Weepu Age: 25 Position: Scrumhalf Caps: 25 Ma'a Nonu Age: 26 Position: Centre Caps: 29 Isaia Toeava Age: 22 Position: Centre Caps: 17 Ben Robinson Age: 24 Position: Prop Caps: 15 Stephen Moore Age: 25 Position: Hooker Caps: 28 Alastair Baxter Age: 31 Position: Prop Caps: 60 Mark Chisholm Age: 27 Position: Lock/flanker Caps: 35 Nathan Sharpe Age: 30 Position: Lock Caps: 70 Dean Mumm Age: 24 Position: Lock/flanker Caps: 5 George Smith Age: 28 Position: Flanker Caps: 92 Richard Brown Age: 24 Position: Flanker Caps: 1 Luke Burgess Age: 25 Position: Scrumhalf Caps: 6 Matt Giteau Age: 26 Position: Inside centre/flyhalf/scrumhalf Caps: 60 Drew Mitchell Age: 24 Position: Wing Caps: 25 Stirling Mortlock Age: 31 Position: Centre Caps: 71 Ryan Cross Age: 29 Position: Centre Caps: 8 Peter Hynes Age: 26 Position: Wing Caps: 9 Adam Ashley-Cooper Age: 24 Position: Centre/fullback Caps: 12 Replacements Adam Freier Age: 28 Position: Hooker Caps: 24 Matt Dunning Age: 30 Position: Prop Caps: 41 Phil Waugh Age: 29 Position: flanker Caps: 74 Lachie Turner Age: 25 Position: Fullback/wing Caps: 1 Berrick Barnes Age: 22 Position: Flyhalf/inside centre Caps: 11 Sam Cordingley Age: 32 Position: Scrumhalf Caps: 21 David Pocock Age: 20 Position: Flanker Caps: 0