Trans-tasman rivals resume hostilities when they face off in Bledisloe opener

Arch rivals Australia and New Zealand resume hostilities when they face off in this year’s Rugby Championship opener in Sydney tonight.

This fixture also doubles up as a Bledisloe Cup clash and for the first time in years Australia head into this trans‑Tasman encounter with a semblance of confidence after claiming a 23‑18 victory over the world champions when these sides met in their previous Bledisloe match, in Brisbane last year.

All Blacks Head coach Steve Hansen highlighted the importance of this fixture to his side and expects another tough challenge from Australia.

The All Blcks have won 35 of the 45 contests against the Wallabies since 2003 (including World Cups) and lost just eight times over that span (including most recently in Brisbane last year).

The Wallabies will host the All Blacks at 10.05 tonight in the Bledisloe and Rugby Championship opener.

In another Rugby Championship match, South Africa will face Argentina at 3.05am tomorrow.

[Source: PlanetRugby]

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