Free extension for sports fans
Advertisement
Advertisement

How disappointment turned into All Blacks’ Bledisloe dominance

SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks great Tana Umaga has drilled into the current crop just how much Bledisloe Cup retention means to him now that he's part of the coaching staff.

Published: Wednesday, 7 October 2026 at 5:14 AM
How disappointment turned into All Blacks’ Bledisloe dominance
Key Things to Know
  • Tana Umaga stressed the vital importance of Bledisloe Cup retention following New Zealand's 3-1 series defeat to South Africa.
  • New Zealand will open the Bledisloe Cup series against Australia on Saturday at Eden Park in Auckland.
  • The All Blacks maintain an active 53-match unbeaten streak across all opponents at Eden Park since 1994.
The Story in 60 Seconds

All Blacks defense coach Tana Umaga has highlighted the importance of retaining the Bledisloe Cup as New Zealand prepares to face Australia at Eden Park in Auckland. Following a 3-1 series loss to South Africa, the All Blacks are seeking a strong response under head coach Dave Rennie. Umaga emphasized the historical significance of the trophy and urged the squad to channel their recent frustrations against the Wallabies.

New Zealand holds a 53-match unbeaten run at Eden Park dating back to 1994, including 24 consecutive wins against Australia there since 1986. Umaga warned that the Wallabies, coached by Les Kiss, pose a dangerous expansive threat after scoring at least 26 points in all eight Tests this year.

Advertisement

Never Miss a Sports Update

Get the latest sports news and top stories from MySportsTab delivered straight to your inbox.

No spam. Just the latest sports news and updates.