Is that outsized optimism and the faintest whiff of All Backs vulnerability we smell in the air?
It must be Bledisloe Cup time.
With the Wallabies trying to break a two-decade drought, it’s worth brushing up on the history and broadcasting details so no one misses the action.
Here’s everything Australians need to know before Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup showdown.
What time does the Bledisloe Cup kick-off in Australia?
- 3:05pm, AEST.
The first Test of the 2025 Bledisloe Cup between the Wallabies and All Blacks will be played on Saturday, September 27, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 3:05pm AEST at Eden Park in Auckland.
WATCH:Wallabies vs. Argentina LIVE in Australia on Stan Sport
In Australia, the matches will be broadcast live and free on Channel 9 and streamed on 9Now, while Stan Sport subscribers can catch it ad-free and in 4K. Settle in early – pre-game coverage starts well before the whistle.
Isn't that during the AFL grand final?
Well spotted. First bounce is at 2:30pm AEST so if you want to catch Snoop Dogg and the first quarter of the AFL grand final, you can make it work.
From there a simple 3-step process can decide who has control of the TV remote:
Step 1. Crouch
Step 2. Pause
Step 3. Engage
Winner decides what's on TV. Simple.
How many Bledisloe Cup games are there?
The Bledisloe Cup series currently features two Tests each year, a change from the historic three-match format. This adjustment, made in 2022 and running through at least 2025, helps balance the rugby calendar around World Cups and other big series.
For the Wallabies to reclaim the Cup, they must win both matches in a given year. With only two opportunities, every fixture counts – making the rivalry even more intense for fans and players alike.
Who currently holds the Bledisloe Cup?
The All Blacks are the current holders of the Bledisloe Cup and have held the trophy since 2003. New Zealand has dominated the rivalry, with 21 consecutive series wins and a total of 51 Cup victories, compared to Australia’s 12.
The trophy has become something of a fixture in New Zealand’s cabinet, adding fuel to Australian fans’ desire for an upset.
When was the last time Australia won the Bledisloe Cup?
Australia last won the Bledisloe Cup back in 2002, sealing the series with a dramatic win in Sydney. Since then, the Wallabies have suffered a string of defeats and draws, unable to bring the trophy home in over two decades.
The hope for a new golden era never fades, and every new Test serves as a chance to break the drought and restore Australian pride.
Rugby Championship fixture schedule this week
Saturday, September 27
- New Zealand vs. Australia (3:05 a.m. AEST)
Sunday, September 28
- South Africa vs. Argentina (1:10 a.m. AEST)