Michael Atkinson: Why farcical two-Test Bledisloe Cup series should never be repeated

What major competition or trophy, in any sport in the world, is decided over an even number of games?

I'll tell you which one, the Bledisloe Cup.

A two game series decides the winner of one of the oldest rugby trophies in world rugby.

Watch the 2025 Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship with every match streaming live and on demand on the home of rugby, Stan Sport

After this year's series has again been decided after the first game - the All Blacks holding on to the trophy for a 23rd straight year - it's time to change. 

And before you say "You're just salty because the Wallabies lost again," hear me out. 

All the biggest team sports competitions are decided by an odd-number game series or one-match title hit out. 

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NBA Finals: Best of seven games.

Major League Baseball World Series: Best of seven games. 

NHL's Stanley Cup: Best of seven.

Super Bowl, AFL and NRL grand finals: One match, winner takes all. 

Rugby World Cup and Football World Cup finals? One game. 

Champions League: One final, winner takes all.

State of Origin: Best of three.

The Ashes: Best of five.

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All of these examples have additional commercial appeal, extra engagement, and, most importantly, a chance to crown a clear and defined winner. 

It beggars belief the Bledisloe Cup is contested over just two games, with the prize all but being over after the first game, such as it has been this year following New Zealand's 33-24 triumph in Auckland last Saturday. 

I'm not saying this weekend's return clash is a 'dead rubber' - there is no such thing as a meaningless rugby Test match, especially when contested by Australia and New Zealand - but the fact the silverware is not up for grabs after just one game, boggles the mind. 

Even if the Wallabies had won at Eden Park on Saturday, a single victory to NZ in Perth this weekend would result in a drawn series and the All Blacks retaining the trophy.

No "decider". No tiebreaker. No climax. Just a draw. 

Last week in Auckland it was sold out. This week in Perth is sold out. Imagine the appetite for a third, and potentially series deciding, Test match on either side of the Tasman?

In a special edition of Inside Line on Stan Sport this week, Rugby Australia CEO, Phil Waugh, conceded a two match series is not ideal. 

"If you think about the actual concept and you think about successful tournaments and series, they're normally an odd number," Waugh said.

"One of the big challenges right across world rugby is the calendar and how you ensure your scheduling allows it to happen, and obviously player welfare and fatigue is a big part. 

"As we've seen, when we've won one test in a two Test series, we haven't been able to win back the Bledisloe.

"I think that everyone probably wants a three Test series," declared Waugh.

When pressed if 'everyone' includes New Zealand Rugby, Waugh hinted about the topic being up for discussion.

"We've just spent the weekend with our counterparts in New Zealand and they're very constructive in the path forward" Waugh revealed.

"We're strongly aligned in driving more interest into rugby in this region and concepts (like a three Test Bledisloe series) are very much on the agenda." 

Maybe if Rugby Australia agrees to stage a third Test in the USA - where NZR has huge vested interest because of their deal with private equity firm Silver Lake - they might come to the party. 

The optimist in me wants to believe NZR are open to the idea, but the realist in me says "I'll believe it when I see it."

Since the first Bledisloe Cup contest in 1932, then a three Test series, the format has changed several times. 

Some years it has been three Tests, some years one, some years two or even four. 

Throughout the Wallabies' most successful period - holding the trophy for five years from 1998 to 2002 - the series was first over three matches, then four straight years of two matches. 

So the two-game series has most definitely benefitted Australia in the past. 

As it stands, the current format favours New Zealand, as the holders of the trophy, but it disadvantages both nations' abilities to capitalise on a huge commercial opportunity.