KEY POINTS:
As commercial details around the Hong Kong Bledisloe test reach sign-off point, there remains one big unknown about this historic game - the rules under which it will be played.
The Australian and New Zealand rugby unions have agreed on a date, a fee and organised broadcast rights but no decision has been made on the rules for the November 1 clash.
And the decision won't be an easy one.
Both the All Blacks and Wallabies are playing the game en route to Europe, where the former will embark on a potential Grand Slam tour against Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England.
Those tests in the UK will be played under the old rules. Common sense would dictate that the Hong Kong game should, therefore, also be played under the old rules to prevent the All Blacks' having to play Australia under the new rules and then switch for the Scotland encounter just seven days later. But if they agree to play under the old rules in Hong Kong, that could be at odds with the first three Bledisloe tests.
No agreement has been reached on what rules the Tri Nations will be played under but both Australia and New Zealand are understood to be keen to persevere with the ELVs currently being trialled in Super 14.
South Africa are thought to be lukewarm on the idea and the three Sanzar nations have delayed making a decision until the Six Nations indicate whether they are willing to trial the ELVs in some of their competitions.
The Northern Hemisphere appear wary of the new rules and reluctant to embrace change.
Last month, at a meeting of rugby's top 10 nations, Australian chief executive John O'Neill said he was surprised at the negativity expressed about the new rules by some of his Northern Hemisphere colleagues.
Further confirmation of Northern Hemisphere opposition came last week when Rugby Football Union boss Francis Baron was reported in the Daily Telegraph as saying: "I think it is fair to say there is a stronger feeling in the north that there is nothing fundamentally wrong with the game and there is a nervousness about trying to change too many things at once.
"That is a slightly different view to the Southern Hemisphere, who feel that change is required and they want to press on and get it implemented.
"There is concern about some of the ELVs as a matter of principle, there is concern they could change the shape and nature of the game."
If the Six Nations refuse to trial the new laws, it's likely Sanzar bosses will opt to play the Tri Nations and also the fourth Bledisloe under the old laws.
If, however, the Tri Nations is played under the ELVs, then it will put the NZRU and ARU in a pickle about whether to maintain the consistency of the series in Hong Kong or whether to revert to the old rules to help preparations for their respective European tours.
NZRU chief executive Steve Tew, said: "It's not something [the rules for the fourth Bledisloe clash] that we have given much thought to at this stage. I would imagine we will probably go with whatever we decide for the Tri Nations."
