Ella-Mobbs Trophy

rdf:langString Ella-Mobbs Trophy

rdf:langString The Ella-Mobbs Trophy (formerly the Cook Cup from 1997–2021) is a rugby union trophy contested between Australia and England. The Cook Cup was established in 1997 when the Wallabies and England contracted to play each other bi-annually for a decade, playing matches on a home and away basis. Since the first two years the format has only been adhered to once (in 2004, even though respectively in 2010 and 2016 there was a Test Series in Australia and an Autumn International in England), World Cup matches are not counted. The cup was named after Captain James Cook, representing a strong English–Australian connection. The cup, which was designed by Royal Doulton in London, is made from crystal. In 2022, ahead of England's 3-test series tour to Australia, the Cook Cup was retired in favour of a new trophy that better represented both countries. The "Ella-Mobbs Cup" was named after Indigenous 25-cap Wallabies great Mark Ella and English war hero Edgar Mobbs, who played nine Tests for England before being killed on the World War I western front in 1917. The Cup reflected intricate details of the heritages from Mark Ella and Edgar Mobbs. Designed by aboriginal artist Natalie Bateman, the trophy incorporates mullet, song lines and indigenous battle symbols for Mark Ella, while Edgar Mobbs is represented with the English rose, a fox, footsteps and the Northampton castle symbol he wore on his lapel in battle. The wood at the base of the trophy was sourced from Ella's home nation, in the shape of an abalone shell, and also English Oak, sourced to represent Edgar Mobbs' homeland. The Cup itself was made of plated silver and was first contested by the series winners of the England v Wallabies series in Perth (July 2), Brisbane (July 9) and Sydney (July 16), 2022.