Australia and New Zealand will play a three-Test rugby union series for the Bledisloe Cup annually from 2012.

The Australian and New Zealand rugby unions confirmed on Saturday the addition of a deciding match to the home-and-away Tests the teams play in the Tri-Nations tournament.

It will be hosted alternately in Australia and New Zealand, and the unions have agreed a revenue-sharing arrangement for the third Test.

Australia and New Zealand have previously met in two- or four-Test series, incorporated into the Tri-Nations.

In a two-Test series the team holding the Cup needed to win only one match to retain the trophy.

The Tri-Nations will incorporate Argentina from 2012.

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