52 years and not counting: Roos out to create new legacy

Cameron Munster suggests that it's possible that none of his teammates realize that Australia has held the Ashes for an impressive 52 years.

This Saturday marks 18,956 days since the 1973 Kangaroos secured victory against Great Britain with a score of 15-5 at Headingley, reclaiming the trophy that was originally presented to the sport by Sydney's City Tattersalls in 1928, though it had gone missing for 12 years.

The green and golds have successfully defended their title in 1974, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2001, and 2003, making it one of the longest title reigns in global sports, second only to yachting's America's Cup, which stood at 138 years.

However, the increased competitiveness in the 21st century has brought an end to various long-standing international rugby league streaks.

New Zealand's victory in the 2008 World Cup broke a 33-year Australian dominance over that trophy, and Tonga made history by becoming the first nation to defeat the green-and-golds in 68 years with their win in Auckland in 2019.