The Longest Losing Streaks in Rugby: From National Teams to Club Rugby
When it comes to the world of rugby, particularly in the context of international matches, the Bledisloe Cup stands out as a notable annual competition between Australia's Wallabies and New Zealand's All Blacks. This competitive event has a history spanning decades, but there have been periods where one team faced remarkable struggles against the other. Let's delve into the longest losing runs in both rugby national teams and club rugby.
The Bledisloe Cup: A Colonial Rivalry with a Long Losing Streak
The Bledisloe Cup is a symbolic competition between Australia and New Zealand, played on an annual basis. Since 2002, the All Blacks have maintained an impressive record of success, largely due to their dominance in the Bledisloe Cup. In 2002, the Wallabies tragically last held the Bledisloe Cup when they defeated the All Blacks. Given the nature of the tournament and the consistent performance of the All Blacks, this 17-year losing streak is considered one of the longest in the history of the competition.
The Bledisloe Cup series has recently faced disruption due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The annual competition is unlikely to take place in 2022, which for many rugby fans is a cause for concern. However, there is hope that it will resume in 2023, and perhaps the Wallabies might finally end their 17-year losing streak.
Ref Test: Rugby Australia's Struggle Against the All Blacks
Rugby Australia has experienced significant challenges when facing the All Blacks at Eden Park. In fact, the last time the Wallabies managed to defeat the All Blacks at this venue was in 1986. This highlights the immense difficulty in toppling this formidable side at their home ground. The All Blacks' dominance at Eden Park extends back to 1984, when they last lost there to France. In a fascinating twist, John Evans (JJ) made an attempt in the 1987 Rugby World Cup, but the results do not support this claim. For rugby enthusiasts, the Bledisloe Cup remains a crucial and often frustrating annual event.
Manchester Rugby Club: A Serial Losing Streak in Club Rugby
While the international battle between the All Blacks and Wallabies captivates the world of rugby, club rugby also experiences its share of long losing streaks. Take, for instance, the Manchester Rugby Club, one of the oldest clubs in the sport. The club's journey has been marked by dramatic fluctuations and financial struggles, leading to a remarkable losing streak.
In the 2007/08 season, the Manchester Rugby Club finished second in National 2 (previously known as Level 3). With this performance, they managed to secure promotion to National 1 (previously known as Level 2). However, financial challenges soon caught up with the club. In the 2009/10 season, they managed only two wins in National 1, their last coming on March 13, 2009, against Newbury, a team that had also lost their sponsor.
The following season in National 2, they did not secure a single victory. Similar struggles continued in the 2010/11 season, where they failed to win any games in the National League 2 North. The club's downslide reached a critical point in 2011/12, where they were placed in Midlands 1. On March 24, 2012, they managed to win against Old Northamptonians, 24-17. That season, they won two games.
The club's fortunes did not improve in the succeeding seasons, leading to a 114-match losing streak. However, in the 2012/13 season, they managed to secure two wins in Northern Division West. The subsequent season saw a significant drop to South Lancashire/Cheshire 1, level 7. Despite challenges, they managed to avoid relegation.
In the current season, which was highly anticipated despite the uncertainties due to the ongoing pandemic, Manchester Rugby finished at the top of level 7 and earned a promotion to level 6. If the season continues as planned, they will compete in North 1 West.
Whether it's the long losing streaks in international rugby or the challenges faced by club teams, the world of rugby is a rich tapestry of intense competition, trying circumstances, and the indomitable spirit of players and fans alike.