Australia has once again claimed trans-Tasman bragging rights, defeating New Zealand to take home the Tasman Cup Trophy following a thrilling two-night PBR bull riding showdown in New Zealand. The Aussies finished the event with a commanding 1,230 points, holding off a determined New Zealand side on 978.5 points, sealing another chapter in the fierce rivalry between the two nations.
While the Cup returned home with the Australians, the Champion Cowboy of the event honours went to New Zealand Team Captain Fraser Babbington, who delivered a standout performance across the weekend. Babbington finished with an aggregate score of 251 points, highlighted by the highest score of the event, an 86.5-point ride on Bert in the opening round on Night 1.
The battle for individual honours was tight, with Australia's depth on full display. Queensland's Macaulie Leather finished just two points back on 249 points, followed closely by fellow Queenslander Zane Hall on 247 points, while Australian Team Captain and current PBR Australian champion Kurt Shephard rounded out the top four with 243 points.
Australia laid the foundation for victory on Night 1, opening up a decisive 178-point lead over New Zealand's 572. Hall led the individual leaderboard at the conclusion of Night 1 with 169 points, producing two exceptional qualified rides. Hall marked 85 points on D & J Bucking Bulls' Holy Hecka in the opening round before backing it up with 84 points on Bad Hits, the same bull he scored 86 points on just a week earlier at the Maniototo Rodeo, to claim the event title. Night 1 saw six riders go 2-for-2, underlining the elite level of competition:
- Zane Hall (AUS) – 169 pts
- Fraser Babbington (NZ) – 167.5 pts
- Macaulie Leather (AUS) – 167 pts
- Kelsey Pavlou (AUS) – 166 pts
- Kurt Shephard (AUS) – 164 pts
- JC Davis (NZ) – 161 pts
Night 2 delivered another intense chapter, with 11 qualified rides across the rounds. Australia recorded six qualified rides, while New Zealand answered with five, keeping the contest alive until the final stages. Round 3 saw qualified rides from Australians Thomas Triplett, Macaulie Leather, Charlie Bailey, Kurt Shephard and Zane Hall, dimmed a comeback for the Kiwis.
In a remarkable display of grit and teamwork, Oberon rider Charlie Bailey and Macaulie Leather stepped up to cover for injured teammates Jack Rowlandson and Tyson Smith on Night 2. Bailey rode an extraordinary four times on the night, while Leather attempted five bulls, epitomising the resilience of the Australian squad. Kelsey Pavlou also substituted for an injured Thomas Triplett in Round 4.
The fifth and final bonus round saw the top four riders from each nation face a formidable pen of bulls. Despite the high stakes, no qualified rides were recorded, with Australia represented by Kurt Shephard, Zane Hall, Kelsey Pavlou and Macaulie Leather, it was a fitting finish to a hard-fought series.
Australian Coach Lachlan Richardson said: "The boys pumped up when they needed to and put on a good show. It came down to the wire, but they rode well and came here what they were supposed to do. It was tough at the end with a few injuries, but the boys didn't say never say never and they just tried their hearts out till the very end," he said. "Zane Hall's first ride on Night 1 really pumped the boys up and kept them riding through the whole weekend."
IMAGERY AND VISION:
*Unfortunately vision and stills of riding in NZ is not available
