All Blacks expected to host two Bledisloe clashes next year

Should the All Blacks retain the Bledisloe Cup next month, they are likely to have home advantage when the transtasman contest expands to three matches in 2006.

Australia wanted to host two Bledisloe matches next year, but New Zealand is expected to win the prize of hosting back-to-back transtasman tests.

As part of the new Sanzar broadcasting deal, an extra round will be added to the Tri-Nations series from next year. It will also mean that each season either New Zealand or South Africa will play two tests in a row in Australia.

The Australian Rugby Union originally lobbied for the All Blacks to play two tests in Australia next year. However, it is understood the ARU recently realised it would better suit their schedule if New Zealand were the first to get the two Bledisloe Cup tests and Australia were to hold off from staging two All Blacks games until 2007.

The ARU has belatedly realised that 2006 is already a season of riches, as a two-tests series against World Cup holders England plus matches against Ireland have already been scheduled. Two home tests against the All Blacks are therefore considered not imperative.

- NZPA