‘Grown men in tears’: Heartbreak behind NZ’s Bledisloe chokehold

Exclusive: Dan Carter’s first Bledisloe Cup memory is also his fondest one.

He made everything on a rugby field look ridiculously easy, and he could have been forgiven for wondering what all the fuss was about when it came to beating the Wallabies.

“The first one, 2003, that’s when we won the Bled back,” world rugby’s all-time leading points-scorer told nine.com.au.

“Just to see grown men, like leaders of your team in tears, holding the Bledisloe Cup for the first time. The Wallabies had had it for five years straight, and in that five years, three of them were won in the 80th minute.

“And I remember those games (as a fan). I was like, ‘we’ve been so close for so long’ and then for the guys to drink out of the Bledisloe Cup for the first time, and to see the raw emotion, it was a memory that I’ll never forget.

“That’s when I knew the Bledisloe Cup, the importance of it to the All Blacks, to the country, and it’s a really special memory and an amazing one to get so early in my career.”

The trophy has not left New Zealand since, with one Kiwi joker this week suggesting the big cup now qualified for citizenship.

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But 2003 was a unique year for trans-Tasman rugby.

Wallabies captain George Gregan was filthy at Eden Park as he watched rival skipper Reuben Thorne hoist the cup.

But he would get his revenge just three months later when Australia beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals.

“Four more years, boys,” Gregan taunted Byron Kelleher on the same Sydney ground that the All Blacks had just delivered a 50-21 masterclass on.

Carter would go on to win two World Cups of his own, but he never lost his reverence for the Bledisloe.

“I loved sharing those experiences with friends and family,” he said.

“Getting them into the hotel after the game and letting them drink out of the cup. My old man (Neville), he’d get more on his shirt than he would in his mouth, you know. Taking photos, some pretty fond memories.”

For Carter’s eighth birthday, Neville famously erected and painted a set of blue and white backyard goalposts, in Southbridge’s club colours, which sparked a legendary kicking practice routine.

The paint job was changed to black and white once Carter represented New Zealand.

He is expecting the All Blacks to beat the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday.

Carter rates the Australian backline and raves about winger Max Jorgensen’s match-turning ability in particular.

“But you still haven’t figured out your No.10 yet,” Carter points out.

“Your guess is as good as mine. It’s probably the one thing now. You’ve got the talent there, but how do you build combinations over the next 12 months? This is our starting lineup, and these are the guys that bring on the energy at the end.”

New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk - the 1987 World Cup-winning captain - raised eyebrows in May when he told Australian rugby reporter Christy Doran that the Wallabies winning back the Bledisloe would be good for the game.

“I can’t quite say I actually want them to win, but I kind of nearly do,” Kirk said.

Carter was asked if he agreed.

“Oh, f---, I can see a headline! I see his point of view, 100 per cent I do. But I just can’t bring myself - I’d just be gutted.

“Rugby here in Australia has its challenges. You’re competing against some absolute Goliaths in NRL and Aussie rules, but you’re on the verge of just connecting so many people. You saw that with the Lions series last year.

“That was special, and you’ve got the history there. The Wallabies from the ’90s, how dominant you were… winning a Bledisloe Cup or doing really well in a World Cup would bring so many people back to this beautiful sport that we all love.

“I’m not that bloody selfish that only New Zealand can have success. We’ve seen what it can do to a nation like South Africa in terms of uniting people, and Australia has a big population as well.

“I’m still backing the All Blacks, but it’s going to be tough.”

Wallabies (15-1): Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Isaac Henry, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Ben Donaldson, Ryan Lonergan, Harry Wilson (c), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jeremy Williams, Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell

Reserves: Josh Nasser, Aidan Ross, Massimo De Lutiis, Lachlan Shaw, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Tate McDermott, Declan Meredith, Harry Potter

All Blacks (15-1): Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor (c), Ethan de Groot

Reserves: Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Pasilio Tosi, Shannon Frizell, Anton Segner, Kyle Preston, Rieko Ioane, Josh Moorby

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)

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