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Bledisloe Cup is back at the MCG as part of bumper weekend of sport.
The MCG will transform from an AFL oval to rugby pitch this weekend, hosting a remarkable three separate sporting events over as many days including the long awaited return of the Wallabies and All Blacks to the hallowed turf for the first time since 2007.
More than 220,000 fans are expected to come through the gates over the three days as the MCG hosts Collingwood vs Carlton, the Bledisloe Cup opener and Richmond vs Melbourne, requiring a comprehensive process in order to transition from one sporting code to another.
Universally recognised as one of the fiercest sporting rivalries, the return of the Bledisloe Cup on Saturday July 29 is expected to attract more than 75,000 fans - a prestigious fixture the MCG is thrilled to host for the first time in 16 years.
This Saturday’s match will be the fourth Tri Nations/Rugby Championship match hosted at the MCG, with the Wallabies last victorious at the People’s Ground in 1998. Matthew Burke scored all of Australia’s 24 points in that Test on July 11, 1998, which at the time was a world record for an individual player against the All Blacks.
Melbourne Cricket Club CEO Stuart Fox acknowledged the MCG’s strong history of bumper crowds for Bledisloe Cup fixtures, with passionate fans travelling far and wide to witness the rivalry play out on the hallowed turf.
To mark the significance of the occasion, the Melbourne Cricket Club Library hosted the book launch of ‘The Official History of the Wallabies Jersey’ by Michael Fahey, officially launched alongside former Wallaby Nick Stiles.
Fahey spoke of the invaluable pieces of rugby history that fuelled his research and writing over a 12 year period, dissecting the history of the Wallabies jersey to showcase the most important match-worn designs.
Stiles acknowledged the unrivalled feeling of wearing the gold jersey, sharing insight into the pride behind representing the Wallabies as the team faced the All Blacks - a long standing rivalry with a new chapter to be written at the MCG.
Click here for ticketing and event day information for all fixtures held this weekend at the MCG.
Photo credit: Michael Klein