the bledisloe cup reflects the rivalry between australia and new zealand and has been contested since the early 1930s. the bledisloe cup was irregularly contested between 1931 and 1981, usually during tours by the two nations. during this period, new zealand won it 19 times and australia four times. in 1982 it became an annual contest, being contested either as a single game or in a three-test series. between 1982 and 1995 new zealand won the cup 11 times and australia three times. since 1996 the bledisloe cup has been contested as part of the tri nations/rugby championship. .