Australia and New Zealand have had a strong rivalry in rugby union long before my time, but it is this rivalry that truly excites many Australians.

To me, the Bledisloe Cup is a perfect example of the competitiveness between Australia and New Zealand, and the two countries’ love-to-hate relationship that we all enjoy.

Growing up in country NSW, it was difficult to watch AFL due to the minimal coverage, so we would often turn our attention to rugby union instead. August was a great time of the year to get excited and there would be a buzz in the air, knowing the Tri-Nations was just around the corner.

The battle, the challenge was about to begin in the greatest competition of all - rugby union’s Bledisloe Cup.

Whether you like it or not, Australia and New Zealand were destined to be arch enemies, and play in many testing matches against each other, with the desire for  victory never wavering.

These contests are always fierce and uncompromising, with many of the battles arriving at a nail-biting finish.

In Game Four, 2010 the contest reached its pinnacle with Australia’s James O’Connor sealing the first win for 10 matches against the All Blacks in the dying stages.  

I have many fond memories of this great rivalry, including Matt Burke sealing the Cup in 2002 with a goal after the siren at ANZ Stadium. This victory is embedded in me, Matt Burke being my favourite Wallaby of all time, (now that’s a big statement).

I will always remember Jonah Lomu as a major threat to the Aussies and the intimidation or motivation of the Haka, which is one of the many moments to enjoy whenever Australia and New Zealand meet.

I still remember my favourite Bledisloe moment of all though, while sitting in my lounge room in country NSW, with my weekly packet of Doritos and salsa dip, screaming out for the Wallabies.

It was Game Two in 2000, with Australia earning a penalty after the siren to win the game. Captain John Eales took the responsibility and the pressure of the penalty kick. He calmly went back and slotted the goal from 40m, sinking the New Zealanders and ultimately uniting Australia. 

Has Australia lost a little bit of its national sporting passion? Is it because there is so much sport available today? To me, the Sydney Olympics did a great job uniting the country. Maybe that is because I was so young and naïve and it was so easy to become excited, but I clearly remember Australians uniting together post-2000.
This was shown with games like the Bledisloe Cup being sold out with over 100,000 people and Australian cricket matches also at capacity.

Hawthorn Football Club is doing a great job highlighting some of our national pride with the work they are doing with Kokoda and the awareness they are helping to create around this historic event. 

I will always be envious that I haven’t had the opportunity to represent Australia in an international sporting competition, but I am proud to have had the opportunity to be involved with Kokoda.

I felt extremely privileged to walk onto the MCG, Australia’s ultimate sporting arena, arm-in-arm with men who dedicated their lives to our country in the fierce battle of Kokoda.