If you thought the Wallabies' most recent Bledisloe Cup win seemed a distant memory, you'd be right - the last time Australia celebrated victory in the series was in the Howard government era.
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The All Blacks thrashed the Wallabies 40-12 at Eden Park on Saturday night, sealing a 16-year losing streak in the Test that has endured longer than John Howard's prime ministership.
Long time between drinks: The Wallabies huddle together after that 2002 triumph. Photo: Mick Tsikas
Australia has changed significantly since then-captain of the Wallabies George Gregan hoisted the coveted trans-Tasman trophy in the air in 2002.
Let's take a trip down memory lane:
- In politics, John Howard was about halfway through his 11-year stint as prime minister in 2002.
Former Wallabies captain George Gregan (right) joins then-prime minister John Howard on his early morning walk in Canberra in 2006. Photo: AAP
- Scott Morrison's rise to national leader last week means Australia has now had a dizzying five prime ministers in the 11 years since Howard lost government in the 2007 election.
- Further abroad, George W. Bush was president of the United States and set up the Department of Homeland Security after the September 11 terror attacks. Tony Blair was British prime minister.
- New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was at Eden Park to celebrate the All Blacks win on Saturday night, one year after she became the world's youngest female leader at age 37. But rewind 16 years and Ardern had just finished university and was starting work as a researcher in the office of former prime minister Helen Clark. Ardern offered newly-minted prime minister Scott Morrison a wager on the weekend's match, saying in an online video she had "yet to hear back but I'm feeling confident".
Last man standing: Stephen Bradbury. Photo: Reuters
- Speed skater Stephen Bradbury was on the final corner of the 1000-metre short-track when his four opponents collided and fell over at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. He skated past them to become the first Australian to win a gold medal at a winter Olympics, while his unlikely victory entered the lexicon as 'doing a Bradbury'.
- The FIFA World Cup was hosted by Japan and South Korea, the first time the sporting event was held in two countries. Brazil defeated Germany to win the final.
Kath and Kim was an instant hit when it premiered on Australia's television screens in 2002. Photo: Supplied
- Australian sitcom Kath and Kim premiered and became an instant hit for its comedic portrayal of suburban mother Kath Day-Knight and her self-absorbed daughter Kim Day-Craig. The Fountain Lakes pair also popularised classy terms including "look at moi" and "noice".
- Also in television, viewers were a couple of seasons in to reality shows Big Brother and The Mole.
- In news, the ABC's Richard Morecroft and Channel Nine's Brian Henderson read their last news bulletins.
- Hollywood films Lord of the Rings: Twin Towers, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Minority Report, Chicago and Gangs of New York premiered at the box office. A Beautiful Mind, starring Russell Crowe, won best picture at the 74th Academy Awards. Halle Berry won best actress for Monster's Ball and Denzel Washington won the best actor role for Training Day.
- Eminem's Without Me, Shakira's Whenever, Wherever, and The Ketchup Song by Las Ketchup were among songs that topped the year's ARIA charts.
- Australia's population reached 19.65 million; it has since climbed to 25 million.
- The median Sydney house price for the June quarter of 2002 was $447,115, compared to $1,144,217 in the same quarter this year.
Justin Chadwick
Anna Harrington
Oliver Caffrey
Justin Chadwick
Anna Harrington
Oliver Caffrey
Roger Vaughan
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