Watch: The Bledisloe Cup 'Test of the Century' that gave Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock goosebumps
To fully appreciate the greatness of the Wallabies era of 20 years ago, Stirling Mortlock says look no further than their defeat in rugby’s ‘Test of the Century’.
To this day, it takes some serious searching to find a more compelling game than the All Blacks‘ 39-35 Bledisloe Cup win in Sydney in 2000.
Played in front of world record-sized rugby crowd of just under 110,000 at the newly-built Stadium Australia, it took place exactly two months out from the venue’s staging of the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony.
The exhilarating showpiece was a rare example of the spectacle matching the occasion.
Mortlock said never in his 80-Test career did he again experience the crowd roar that greeted the teams when led out by John Eales and Todd Blackadder.
“There was an immediate sense of understanding that it was something special,” Mortlock told AAP.
“I remember it clear as day. Goosebumps all over, hair standing on the back of my neck. A sense of expectation.
“But the thing was, the crowd stayed in it for the entire game, probably because of what unfolded.”
Incredibly, the All Blacks clocked up three tries in the opening five minutes and were 24-0 clear soon afterwards when Eales gathered his team tight – most of them the same players who were crowned world champions eight months earlier.
The message was clear and without panic.
For rookie Mortlock, playing just his fourth Test, it became obvious why the Wallabies had been such a dominant force through the late 1990s.
“Ealesy got us together and I just remember how much confidence he instilled in the team, and belief, even when we were that far down,” Mortlock said.
“New Zealand had played unbelievably well to score their three tries but we hadn’t put any pressure on them yet.
“Then we did that. It was just an amazing team and an amazing period of time in Australian rugby with a lot of cool heads that could get a team out of that scenario.”
From the next kick-off, it was Mortlock who began Australia’s fightback, scoring on the right wing and he doubled his tally soon afterwards.
With halves George Gregan and Stephen Larkham running the show, the hosts had drawn level at 24-24 by the break.
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A breathless second half looked like ending in favour of the hosts before the late All Blacks great Jonah Lomu tip-toed down the left touchline to score four minutes after the hooter.
The fact that Lomu emerged as a matchwinner wasn’t lost on Mortlock, who had spent the lead-up to the game in a spooked state after learning he would be marking the metaphorical rugby giant on the wing.
“It was one of the most surreal weeks of my life – my first Bledisloe Cup Test and I was marking Jonah Lomu,” Mortlock said.
“That New Zealand backline was absolutely electric as well. You had (Christian) Cullen, Tana Umaga, they were a formidable outfit. A younger, leaner, more head-of-hair your s truly was quite nervous.”
Mortlock admits he didn’t mark Lomu as well as he had hoped, his performance not helped by a draining night battling a stomach virus on match eve.
Only cleared to play close to kick-off, Mortlock and was replaced during the second half, meaning he at least wasn’t to blame when Lomu scored down his wing.
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If Australia weren’t going to win, the end was fitting as it could be, a reflective Mortlock said.
“The legend that Jonah was … such a great man. To have shared some moments on the field against him, I cherish that now.
“He was devastating and to score the match-winning try just made the whole thing I suppose.”
Mortlock who went on to lead Australia in an 80-Test career believes those who labelled the 2000 Test among the greatest ever played were on the money.
He remembers he and teammates pinching themselves as they walked from the field.
“It was literally the most phenomenal Test match that went backwards and forwards, counterpunch, counterpunch after an amazing start from the Kiwis.
“It was the greatest of all time from my perspective.
“It will go down as possibly one of the best of all time – in the top five or 10 no doubt.”
Greatest test match of all time to be honest
— Mathongo Makhiwane (@MatyMak) April 25, 2020
Australia recovered quickly from defeat.
Under coach Rod Macqueen they went on to retain the Bledisloe Cup courtesy of Eales’ late penalty against the All Blacks in Wellington.
They then snared a first Tri-Nations title when Mortlock’s sideline penalty snatched victory against South Africa in the final game at Durban.
Were it not for the Sydney defeat, that team would have set an Australian record of 16 successive wins.
Mortlock appreciated being part of a winning culture all the way through to their loss at the 2003 World Cup final.
“We were the world champions and it was a time when every trophy we played for, we held. It was a golden era in Australian rugby,” he said.
“But that match in Sydney stands out. We lost but we didn’t feel like we could have given much more than what we gave out there.”
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments