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The Bledisloe Cup will return to two Tests from this year and stay that way until at least 2025.
Rugby Australia boss Andy Marinos confirmed a New Zealand report that a Test would be dropped, saying the decision was mutual.
“It was the end of a 15-year cycle, so we’ve got to look ahead at our objectives and what is the pathway ahead for us,” Marinos told Fox Sports.
“We need to manage and prioritise how we’re going to go to the World Cup and then we have a Lions year in 2025, which is also another consideration.
“We’ve played each a huge amount over the years and we haven’t been successful – it’s not because of that we’re not wanting to look at it – but we feel for a period it’ll be good to have a break and look at other opportunities against other countries.”
The All Blacks swept Australia 3-0 last year with two of the matches also being included in The Rugby Championship.
Australia hasn’t held the Cup since 2003, winning just 10 of 57 games since then with three draws.
“Whether it’s two or three Tests, Australia’s got to win them twice to regain the trophy,” Marinos said.
“I think with this new schedule, the ball’s in our court to back it up with our performances.”
The Wallabies were due to host the All Blacks twice in Australia this year, but with that now off the table they will take a commercial hit, reported NZ news service stuff.co.nz.
The global calendar is under review with a meeting soon to decide if a global Nations Championship in 2024 is feasible.
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