Since their debut Test match in 1999,the Qantas Wallabies have etched themselves into rugby immortality with their heroic feats and against the odds victories at ANZ Stadium.
From downing their Trans-Tasman foes 28-7 on August 28 1999 in front of a then world record rugby record crowd of 107,042 to producing the “greatest rugby game ever” in July 2000 when the All Blacks claimed an injury time 39-35 win thanks to a late Jonah Lomu try in front of 109,874 fans to sending out the legendary John Eales a deserved winner in his 86th and final Test in 2001, ANZ Stadium has been the centre piece of Australian Rugby’s most memorable moments.
Let’s not forget the 2003 World Cup. The Wallabies defeated the All Blacks in a magnificent semi-final, but the boot of Jonny Wilkinson gave England a heart-breaking 20-17 win in extra time.
ANZ Stadium played host to the only Bledisloe Cup match on Australian soil, with the Wallabies under new coach Robbie Deans falling one point short in a heartbreaking 24-23 defeat in front of over 80,000 fans, writing another amazing chapter in Rugby’s greatest rivalry. ANZ Stadium will host two Wallabies’ Test matches each year until 2011, including the Bledisloe Cup in 2010.
2009 ushered in an exciting new era for Rugby Union and ANZ Stadium with the history making debut of the HSBC Waratahs. In a replay of the 2008 Super 14 final, the Waratahs took on seven time champions the Crusaders in front of 32,496 fans – their biggest home crowd of the year. Despite falling 17-13, it was a momentous occasion for the Waratahs who will play their biggest matches at ANZ Stadium for many years to come.
The HSBC Waratahs will take on the marauding Brumbies on Saturday 24 April in Round 11 of the Investec Bank Super 14.