Bledisloe Cup comes to Ettalong

World rugby's Bledisloe Cup was on show at Ettalong sport field on Wednesday, August 8, for members of the Woy Woy Junior Rugby Union Club.

Named after Lord Bledisloe, the former Governor General of New Zealand who donated the trophy in 1931, the Cup represents a symbol of Trans-Tasman rugby supremacy, with the Wallabies and All Blacks contesting it annually.

Special guests in attendance were two former Wallaby players, Eric Tweedale and Jim Phipps, who renewed their acquaintance with the famous old trophy.

Eric is an Ettalong resident who toured the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Canada, and the United States with Trevor Allan's 1947-48 decorated team which returned home without having its try line crossed during the various Test engagements.

Jim, from Blackwall, was rated by the international rugby media as one of the finest centre three-quarters in world rugby,

Both were warmly welcomed by a large crowd.

Woy Woy Junior Rugby Union Club president Ms Sarah Doak Stride said she was delighted with the public response to the special gathering and described the event as "something special in our club's history".

"It was a wonderful occasion for our club in being given the opportunity to display the Bledisloe Cup before so many enthusiastic players and supporters," she said.

"And we were especially delighted to have two former greats of the game in Eric and Jim joining us for this event.

"It was lovely seeing how they mixed so happily with everybody, posed for photographs with the kids, signed countless autographs and genuinely enjoyed themselves," said Ms Doak Stride.

Email, 13 Aug 2012

Allan Wilson, Hardys Bay Residents Group

Photo: Allan Wilson