What trophy is contested annually by Australia and New Zealand in rugby union?

The Bledisloe Cup is contested annually by Australia and New Zealand in rugby union.

The trophy commemorates Lord Bledisloe, who was Governor-General of New Zealand from 1930 to 1935. Australia and New Zealand first played for the cup in 1931, when New Zealand won the match in Dunedin. The competition became a recurring feature of the trans-Tasman rivalry.

The Bledisloe Cup is usually decided through matches in the Rugby Championship, although additional fixtures can also count depending on the tournament arrangement. New Zealand has historically dominated the competition and has held the trophy for long uninterrupted periods.

The two national teams are commonly known as the Wallabies and the All Blacks. Their rivalry is one of international rugby’s most important, alongside the contests between England and the other Home Nations. The Bledisloe Cup should not be confused with the Webb Ellis Cup, which is awarded to the men’s Rugby World Cup winner, or the Calcutta Cup, which belongs to Scotland–England matches.