Tri Nations 2011, tournament rules:

The winner of the Tri Nations is determined by a points system:

• 4 points for a win
• 2 points for a draw
• 0 points for a loss

Bonus points" may also be earned in any given match and count toward deciding the series winner. A team may earn one bonus point in each of the following ways (to a total of two points):

• By scoring four or more tries in the match, regardless of the final result of the match.
• By losing by seven points (a converted try) or fewer.

A victorious team can collect either 4 or 5 points, depending on whether or not it scored 4 tries. A losing team may collect from 0 to 2 points.

At the end of the series the team with the most points is declared the winner. If teams end level on points the first tiebreaker is point differential, followed by number of tries during the series. However, the Tri Nations has yet to finish in a tie for the top spot.