Two shields that pass from nation to nation, one match at a time. Whoever holds a shield defends it every time they play. Beat them and it’s yours.
Aberdare Shield (men)
Holders: Australia
Won 27 October 2024, 22–10 against New Zealand
Defences since: 7
Last defence: 66–6 against the Cook Islands, 31 October 2026
Next challenge: Samoa, 8 November 2026
Lidcombe Shield (women)
Holders: Australia
Won 27 October 2024, 14–0 against New Zealand
Defences since: 8
Last defence: 124–6 against Wales, 1 November 2026
Next challenge: Fiji, 8 November 2026
The story so far
- The Aberdare Shield has changed hands 120 times in 357 matches since Wales beat New Zealand 9–8 on 1 January 1908.
- Seven nations have held it: Australia, England, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, Tonga and Wales.
- The record reign is Australia’s 15 defences from May 2011 to October 2014. Next best is England’s 11, between 1923 and 1936.
- Tonga beat Australia 16–12 in 2019 and then held the shield for 966 days without playing a single international.
- Only New Zealand and Australia have ever held the Lidcombe Shield. New Zealand’s 16-defence reign from 1999 to 2009 is the women’s record.
New to the shields? Read how the shields work.
