No, for most of the case they have been the underdog so it’s more a combination of being not great and the All Blacks being really good. That is despite the fact that they have captured two World Cup titles during that time (1991 and 1999). The Wallabies have won just four other tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand since 1986, the last being in 2001.
The All Blacks’ current win streak of 11 against Australia – dating back to 2020 – is their longest ever against their next greatest rivals.
Does this hoodoo stretch to other rugby teams?
Great question. The All Blacks haven’t lost a test at Eden Park since 1994 when France upset New Zealand 23-20 for a famous series win. It just so happens that Australia play the All Blacks more regularly than other test nations so they have suffered more defeats. But yes, England last beat the All Blacks at Eden Park in 1973, while South Africa haven’t won at the ground since 1937.
Really? 1937! Why aren’t we talking about South Africa’s hoodoo?
Oh, we will talk about it when they come to Eden Park next year. But right now we need to remind Les Kiss’ side they haven’t beaten the All Blacks at Eden Park since 1986, haven’t lifted the Bledisloe Cup since 2003 and are currently stuck in their longest losing streak to the All Blacks.
A dejected Wallabies team look on after losing to the All Blacks at Eden Park in 2011. Photo / Photosport
Do that thing where you say what was the number one song the day the Wallabies last won at Eden Park?
Venus by Bananarama. A banger. While the top film was the Rob Reiner classic Stand by Me.
The 1986 Wallabies had a decent tour of New Zealand – playing games in the likes of Westport, Invercargill, Thames and Masterton. They played 14 matches, winning 11 and took out the test series 2-1. Their only defeats were the second test in Dunedin (13-12) and to Canterbury (30-10). Not only did they beat the All Blacks twice but they also got the better of Wairarapa Bush, Wanganui, Buller, South Canterbury and Thames Valley.
Have the Wallabies even got close since 1986?
There was the 6-3 defeat in 1991 – the most boring Bledisloe Cup clash. But that was a rarity. The average margin over the 24 tests is 19 points. Just five tests have been decided by seven points or less. The last time the Wallabies finished within a converted try was 2009.
That sounds like a hoodoo then?
Well during the stretch the All Blacks had one of the most dominant decade-long runs in history. From 2010 to the end of 2019 they played 133 tests, won 116 and lost just 13, with four draws. Twenty-two of those wins were at Eden Park. And despite making the 2015 final, Australia have had one of their poorer runs in recent times. So they’ve been up against it. But they might be turning a corner this year having just beaten the world No 1 Springboks in Perth.
What happened last year?
As reported by Liam Napier: The All Blacks, backs to the wall after their heaviest defeat in history against the Springboks in Wellington, returned to their spiritual home in need of a decisive response against the familiar foe. And they delivered, winning 33-24 but it was closer than the scoreline suggests.
Carlo Tizzano’s try with 11 minutes remaining closed the gap to two points and sparked nervous tension from the 46,437 crowd, only for Harry Potter’s yellow card to kill off hopes of another late great Wallabies’ comeback. Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea combined for a slick inside ball to send Cam Roigard over for his double, to let the All Blacks breathe again.
Unbeknown to everyone, it was coach Scott Robertson’s final test at home.
Tell me about that glorious victory in 1986?
It secured a famous series win for Australia – back when they played three-test series in New Zealand. They went into the test as favourites and with confidence after tour wins over Southland, Bay of Plenty and Thames Valley – back when they would play provincial sides. The All Blacks side featured the likes of John Kirwan, David Kirk, Gary Whetton and former NZR chairman Jock Hobbs. David Campese and Andrew Leeds both crossed over and Michael Lynagh kicked 14 points as the All Blacks failed to score a try. Marty Berry played his one and only test, coming on in the final seconds of the match to replace an injured Frano Botica following Campese’s late try. Berry watched a Lynagh conversion attempt from under the posts and then the kickoff was taken into touch. That was his time in the black jersey. The previous year the All Blacks won 10-9 at the ground.
But the Wallabies have won at the ground since?
Yes, in the World Cup match no team wants to take part in – the Bronze final. After losing the 2011 semi-final to the All Blacks at, you guessed it, Eden Park, the Wallabies had to play Wales to earn a third-place winners’ medal. They won the game 21-18 with Quade Cooper suffering an ACL injury and was applauded by Eden Park fans as he limped off the field after being booed five days earlier in the semi-final defeat. In 2011 the Wallabies lost three matches at Eden Park, including a Bledisloe Cup test before the World Cup (30-14) and a pool match game against Ireland (15-9).
Who is the biggest loser?
Recently retired Wallabies skipper James Slipper played in 10 defeats at Eden Park, according to Rugby Database, but was part of the side that beat Wales in 2011. He also enjoyed victory over the Blues last year with the Brumbies.
On the flipside, former All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock played in 26 wins and a draw at Eden Park, 10 of those victories over Australia.
Of the current All Blacks squad, Beauden Barrett has played in 21 test wins at Eden Park and nine against the Wallabies.
Any other sporting teams have Eden Park hoodoos?
The Warriors for starters. A few weeks ago they lost a finals match to the Newcastle Knights. They played seven matches at Eden Park between 2011 and 2014, losing their first six matches before finally getting a win when they beat the Raiders 54-12. But lost again to end their 2026 season.
Sticking with the W theme, the Waratahs have just one win over the Blues at Eden Park in 14 attempts, while Premier League side West Ham also struggled at Eden Park, losing to the Wellington Phoenix 2-1 in 2014.
India haven’t won a cricket test at Eden Park since 1976. That won’t change any time soon with Wellington and Christchurch hosting them this summer as Eden Park hasn’t held a cricket test since 2018 – one way to retain a streak.
Let’s see the streak of tests in one long list…
1989 – All Blacks 24 Wallabies 12
1990 – All Blacks 27 Wallabies 17
1991 – All Blacks 6 Wallabies 3
1995 – All Blacks 28 Wallabies 16
1999 – All Blacks 34 Wallabies 15
2003 – All Blacks 21 Wallabies 17
2005 – All Blacks 34 Wallabies 24
2006 – All Blacks 34 Wallabies 27
2007 – All Blacks 26 Wallabies 22
2008 – All Blacks 39 Wallabies 10
2009 – All Blacks 22 Wallabies 16
2011 – All Blacks 30 Wallabies 14
2011 – All Blacks 20 Wallabies 6 – RWC semi-final
2012 – All Blacks 22 Wallabies 0
2014 – All Blacks 51 Wallabies 20
2015 – All Blacks 41 Wallabies 13
2016 – All Blacks 37 Wallabies 10
2018 – All Blacks 40 Wallabies 12
2019 – All Blacks 36 Wallabies 0
2020 – All Blacks 27 Wallabies 7
2021 – All Blacks 33 Wallabies 25
2021 – All Blacks 57 Wallabies 22
2022 – All Blacks 40 Wallabies 14
2025 – All Blacks 33 Wallabies 24