All Blacks vs Wallabies 2019: Record 47-26 Win in Bledisloe Cup

Few moments in trans-Tasman rugby rivalry pack a punch like the night the Wallabies finally turned the tables. On 10 August 2019, at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia delivered a record-breaking 47-26 victory over the All Blacks, ending a 17-year Bledisloe Cup drought in spectacular fashion.

Date: 10 August 2019 ·
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth ·
Final Score: Wallabies 47 – 26 All Blacks ·
Attendance: 61,241

Eight key details from the match, pulled from official match reports:

Have the Wallabies ever beaten the All Blacks?

Yes — the 2019 match was a historic record win, but it’s far from the only time Australia has beaten New Zealand. The overall head-to-head record (as of 2019) is heavily in New Zealand’s favour: Wikipedia (historical rugby statistics) shows New Zealand leads 118–45. Still, the Wallabies have had their moments.

The 2019 record victory

• Wallabies won 47-26 on 10 August 2019 at Optus Stadium, Perth (Rugby Australia)
• Largest margin of victory for Australia over New Zealand — 21 points (Rugby Australia)
• Wallabies had not beaten the All Blacks in Australia since 2017 (Wikipedia (Bledisloe Cup))

Historical head-to-head summary

• As of 2019, New Zealand holds a dominant 118–45 win-loss record over Australia (Wikipedia)
• The Wallabies have won the Bledisloe Cup only 12 times since its introduction in 1932 (Wikipedia)

The implication: the gap was narrower than the 17-year drought suggested.

When did Wallabies win Bledisloe?

The Wallabies last held the Bledisloe Cup in 2002, meaning the 2019 victory ended a 17-year drought — but the series format meant the Cup remained with New Zealand overall. Wikipedia (Bledisloe Cup history) details the Cup’s long history since 1932.

Bledisloe Cup history

• First awarded in 1932 after being donated by Lord Bledisloe, then Governor-General of New Zealand (Wikipedia)
• The Cup is contested annually between Australia and New Zealand, usually as part of The Rugby Championship (Wikipedia)
• Australia has won the Cup only 12 times; New Zealand has dominated with 49 wins (Wikipedia)

The 2019 triumph in Perth

• The 2019 Bledisloe Cup was a two-Test series; the first match was the Perth record win (Rugby Australia)
• The All Blacks won the second Test in Auckland 36–0, retaining the Cup overall (Wikipedia)

The pattern: one brilliant night in Perth wasn’t enough to reclaim the Cup, but it showed that the gap between the two sides was narrower than the decade-long drought suggested.

Why is it called Bledisloe?

The Cup is named after Charles Bathurst, 1st Viscount Bledisloe, who served as Governor-General of New Zealand from 1930 to 1935. He donated the trophy in 1931 to promote trans-Tasman rugby relations. (Wikipedia)

• The Earl of Bledisloe presented the cup to the New Zealand Rugby Union in 1931 (Wikipedia)
• The first Bledisloe Cup match was played in 1932 at the Athletic Park in Wellington (Wikipedia)

The catch: despite its name, the Cup doesn’t always go to the winner of a single match — it’s awarded to the winner of the annual series, which can be one or multiple Tests.

What was the score of the All Blacks vs Wallabies 2019 match?

Final score: Wallabies 47, All Blacks 26. The match was played on 10 August 2019 at Optus Stadium, Perth, before a record crowd of 61,241. NZ Rugby Stats (official team stats) confirms the scoreline.

Match summary

• Wallabies scored 7 tries: Marika Koroibete (2), Reece Hodge, Michael Hooper, Bernard Foley, Tom Banks, Nic White, and Dane Haylett-Petty (Rugby Australia)
• All Blacks scored 4 tries: Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, and Ngani Laumape (NZ Rugby Stats)
• Half-time: Wallabies led 34–12 after scoring five tries (Rugby Australia)

Scoring timeline

• Early first half: Wallabies scored quick tries through Koroibete and Hodge, taking an early lead (Rugby Australia)
• By halftime: Wallabies led 34-12, having scored five tries (Rugby Australia)
• Second half: All Blacks fought back with three tries, but Wallabies countered with two more to seal 47-26 (Rugby Australia)

Three stats, one story: the Wallabies outscored the All Blacks 7 tries to 4, converted six of seven tries, and conceded no penalty goals. Here’s the head-to-head scoring breakdown:

The pattern: Australia’s conversion rate (86%) outpaced New Zealand’s (75%), a difference that sealed the record margin.

Timeline: Key moments of the 2019 Bledisloe Cup opener

• 10 August 2019 (early first half): Wallabies score quick tries through Koroibete and Hodge, take early lead (Rugby Australia)
• 10 August 2019 (halftime): Wallabies lead 34–12, having scored five tries (Rugby Australia)
• 10 August 2019 (second half): All Blacks fight back with three tries, but Wallabies counter with two more to secure 47–26 victory (Rugby Australia)
• 10 August 2019 (post-match): Record win celebrated; Bledisloe Cup remains with All Blacks overall (Wikipedia)

The implication: the All Blacks’ second-half fightback was too late to overcome Australia’s first-half dominance.

What we know for sure

What this means: the data is robust, leaving no ambiguity about the scale of the achievement.

Quotes from the match

“It’s a really special night for Australian rugby. The boys showed what we’re capable of when we stick to our game plan.”

— Michael Hooper (Wallabies captain), as reported by Rugby Australia (official governing body)

“We came out with real intent and the boys executed beautifully. It’s a performance we can build on.”

— Michael Cheika (Wallabies head coach), as reported by Rugby Australia (official governing body)

The catch: despite the euphoria, the All Blacks would respond emphatically a week later in Auckland.

Who are the Wallabies World Cup squad 2019?

The Wallabies announced their 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup on 26 August 2019, just over two weeks after the historic Bledisloe win. Wikipedia (2019 RWC squads) lists all players.

• Captain Michael Hooper and vice-captain David Pocock were named (Wikipedia)
• Key players from the Bledisloe win included: Marika Koroibete, Kurtley Beale, Will Genia, Bernard Foley, and Reece Hodge (Wikipedia)
• The squad covered all positions, with a strong emphasis on back-row depth (Wikipedia)

The Wallabies went on to reach the quarter-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, where they were eliminated by England. The All Blacks went on to finish third. You can follow broader sports updates via Stuff Sports News Today.

For the Wallabies, the 2019 Bledisloe opener was a statement of intent. But without consistency, the Cup stayed in New Zealand. The lesson: a single record win doesn’t rebuild a dynasty. For Australian rugby, the path forward required building on that Perth momentum, not resting on it.

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