Australia Rugby

The Australia Rugby team is one of the world’s oldest sides. They played their first test match way back in 1899 when they beat a touring team from the British Isles.  

Ever since, the Australia Rugby team have been incredibly strong, although they did suffer during the inter-war years because many state bodies ceased playing. However, the side were resurgent after the Second World War and they regularly started beating test sides in Europe and the Southern Hemisphere. In the 1980s, the side became dominant and, in 1984, they achieved a Grand Slam by defeating all four Home Nations (England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland) for the first time ever. Ever since, they’ve been a force on the world stage.

In the modern era of rugby union, the Australian national team have established themselves as one of the world’s elite sides. As well as their two Rugby World Cup wins, they’ve also finished as the tournament’s runners-up twice and claimed a third-place finish. They’ve also won the Rugby Championship four times (including three occasions when it was known as the Tri-Nations).

However, since the World Rankings were introduced back in 2003, the Australia Rugby team have never held the top spot.