A long, long time ago . . .
New Zealand’s grip on the Bledisloe Cup will be tested again in Sydney on Saturday as the All Blacks look to hold on to Bledisloe honours for a 16th straight year, but what was the world like when the Wallabies last lifted the cup in 2002?
Stuff rewinds 16 years to remember what was happening the last time Australian hands were holding the huge trophy. 2002 Bledisloe Cup July 13: All Blacks 12, Wallabies 16 in Christchurch August 3: Wallabies 16, All Blacks 14 in Sydney What was No 1?
For three weeks in July and August, a remix of Elvis Presley’s 1968 classic A Little Less
Conversation was top of the New Zealand charts after its tune-up by Dutch musician Tom Holkenborg, better known as Junkie XL (JXL).
His remixed electronic version, credited to Elvis v JXL, was used in Nike’s 2002 Fifa World Cup advert and became a smash No 1 hit in more than 20 countries.
Who was Prime Minister and US president?
Helen Clark’s Labour Party government was re-elected on July 27 after the 2002 general election as the National Party crashed to a heavy defeat under Bill English’s leadership.
Current Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was just 21 and a year on from graduating from the University of Waikato. George W Bush was president of the United States.
Warriors were top dogs, remember?
The Warriors finished the 2002 season top of the NRL ladder to win the minor premiership in what remains their best year to date. But after beating Canberra Raiders and Cronulla Sharks in the playoffs, the Warriors would lose 30-8 to Sydney Roosters in the October grand final.
What was Auckland’s average house price?
Auckland’s average house price in September was $290,000 ($373,271 with today’s inflation) and would increase to more than $1million by 2017, although the average sales price has since dropped and was reported at $930,233 for May, 2018.
Who were Super Rugby champions?
The Crusaders in 2002 won their fourth title in five years after beating the Brumbies 31-13 in the final in Christchurch. Their champion side included future coaches Leon Macdonald (Tasman and Blues), Aaron Mauger (Highlanders), Scott Robertson (Crusaders), Reuben Thorne (Canterbury), Mark Hammett (Highlanders), Dave Hewett (Southland) and Daryl Gibson (Waratahs).
Two weeks before the May decider, the Crusaders recorded Super Rugby’s biggest victory by trouncing the Waratahs 96-19.
Who was Wimbledon champion?
Australia’s former world No 1 Lleyton Hewitt won only his second grand slam with his 2002 triumph at Wimbledon in July.
The 2003 winner? A 20-yearold Swiss bloke called Roger Federer, who would win five successive Wimbledon championships, as well as titles in 2009, 2012 and 2017, as part of the 20 grand slams the tennis great has won to date.
Tigers Woods was on fire
In the form of his life, Tigers Woods was the undisputed world No 1 and on his way to tearing up golf’s record books as he won the Masters and US Open in 2002.
In the same year, Woods visited these shores in January to a fanfare for the New Zealand Open in Paraparaumu but could only manage a share of sixth.
Who won the Fifa World Cup?
Brazil were crowned champions of the football world in June for a record fifth time after beating Germany 2-0 in the final in Tokyo. Superstar striker Ronaldo scored both goals in the decider and was top scorer, with eight, in the tournament hosted by Japan and South Korea.
All Whites beat the Socceroos
Clashes between the two men’s teams have been awfully rare since the All Whites won 1-0 against the Socceroos in the 2002 OFC Nations Cup final. Ryan Nelsen’s 78th-minute winner in the July decider in Auckland is the last time New Zealand beat Australia, but they’ve met only four times since, with the Socceroos winning every encounter.
The Queen’s Golden Jubilee year
Queen Elizabeth II celebrated 50 years on the throne in 2002 and visited New Zealand in February.
She made stops in Auckland, Taupo, Wellington and Christchurch as part of her journey around the Commonwealth to mark the occasion.
How did the New Zealand dollar rate?
Against one British pound (GBP) and one Australian dollar (AUD), the rate of New Zealand dollar (NZD) was as high 3.42 and 1.17 respectively in August, 2002.
In 2018 against the NZD, one GBP and one AUD rate at approximately 1.94 and 1.11 respectively.
What was New Zealand’s population?
New Zealand’s population in 2002 was nearing four million and was recorded at 3.948m. Sixteen years later, it’s reached approximately 4.755m.