James Bevan Trophy
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 2007 |
| Number of teams | 2 |
| Country |  Australia Wales |
| Holders | Australia (2024) |
| Most titles | Australia (13 titles) |
The James Bevan Trophy is a rugby union trophy which was created in 2007, and named after James Bevan,[1] the Welsh Australian who was the first ever captain of the Wales rugby union team in 1881. The trophy was established after a decision on 10 May 2007 by the Welsh and Australian rugby unions to celebrate the 100 years of test rugby between the two sides.[2] Australia are the current holders.
The Trophy was commissioned by International Business Wales (IBW),[1][3] the economic arm of the Welsh assembly government.[3]
Trophy history
[edit]Australia snatched victory in the inaugural James Bevan Trophy test match 29–23 with a last minute try on Saturday 26 May 2007 at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney. They followed this up with a whitewash 31–0 victory at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.[4]
Wales captured the trophy the following year in 2008 with a 21–18 victory in Cardiff, but since then it has remained in Australian hands. Three victories in Cardiff in 2009–11 were followed up by a 3–0 series win in Australia in 2012, all by narrow margins. In the return match in Cardiff, Australia once again won with a last minute try.
The 2011 Rugby World Cup brought Australia and Wales together again for a third place play-off and once again it was a close finish with Australia claiming third place in a reversal of the first World Cup in 1987 when Wales won the play-off 22–21.
In three trophy matches Wales were leading, only for Australia to score the winning points in the 80th, 74th and 79th minute. Wales ended a run of thirteen consecutive defeats against Australia on 10 November 2018, narrowly winning 9-6. On 20 November 2021 they retained the trophy with a 29-28 victory.
Results
[edit]Statistical details
[edit]| Details | Total | Australia
|
Wales
|
Drawn | Australia points | Wales points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matches in Australia | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 193 | 128 |
| Matches in Wales | 13 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 363 | 254 |
| Details | 20 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 556 | 382 |
- ST – Summer Test
- AI – Autumn International
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Aussie Welshman Bevan to be honoured by trophy". wru.wales. Welsh Rugby Union. 9 May 2007.
- ^ James Bevan Trophy unveiled in Sydney, Welsh Rugby Union, 24 May 2007
- ^ a b "New trophy for Wales v Australia". BBC Sport. BBC. 10 May 2007.
- ^ James Bevan trophy, Australian Rugby Union
External links
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