New Zealand have been friendless in betting on the first Test against Australia despite gaining the upper hand on the first day of play.
TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said that even when Australia slumped to 3-23 they remained firm favourites.
"Early bets on the Aussies include $40,000 and $30,000 at $1.40 before they drifted to as much as $1.47 when they lost the three quick wickets," he said. "The draw was specked with a bet of $5000 at $4.25 with the largest bet on New Zealand being $500 at $8 after they were priced at as much as $11 with us before play started. The Kiwis firmed into as short as $4 before drifting to $6.50 with Australia 3-60 at lunch."
Munsie said TAB Sportsbet attracted one "interesting bet" with a punter having $5000 on a 1-1 series result at $11.
Centrebet punters only backed two options going into the first day of the Test that started at the Gabba yesterday. "I can't remember the Kiwis going into day one of a Trans-Tasman Test series an embarrassing $15 outsider to win the first match," said Centrebet's Neil Evans.
"But that's what they were with us. Australia firmed from $1.40 into $1.33 and were the best backed, but there's also very good money for the draw with the rain around and it was $4.35 into $4."
… None for Kiwis, also
Betezy.com.au's Tino Trung said punters did their money when Australia romped into the World Cup final with a 52-0 win over Fiji last week. This week they are backing the Kangaroos to give the Kiwis "a touch up" at a short quote in Brisbane tomorrow night, Trung said.
"That is in contrast to last week when the Kiwis gave punters a windfall when they covered the line against the Poms and Australia cost punters a hat full when Fiji were backed from $1.91 into $1.60 with 50.5 points start only to lose by 52," he added.
Evans said Centrebet punters are giving New Zealand next to no chance. "Australia has firmed from $1.11 into $1.10 and the Kiwis have eased from $6.35 to $7," he said. "Punters are prepared to take the $1.91 line bet about the Aussies giving the Kiwis an 18-point start. One Sydney client has had $10,000 at $1.91 about the Kangaroos covering the big start."
TAB Sportsbet is also struggling to take any money for the Kiwis with Munsie saying they are yet to attract a bet of more than $500 in any of the nine markets open on the match. "It has been impossible to write any bet of note for them in Saturday night's final," Munsie said. "Australia has been $1.14 into $1.11 with a string of big bets taken for the Kangaroos."
The biggest bets have been $36,000, $20,000 (twice) and $11,250 at $1.14 as well as $45,000, $12,500, $10,000, $7500 and $5000 at $1.13 and $50,000 and $21,000 at $1.11.
All aboard the Wallabies
Punters have quickly jumped on the Wallabies bandwagon after their win over England last week. Bets of $30,000 and $6500 were placed on Australia at $1.85 for their match against France. Meanwhile, one punter has plonked $20,000 on England at $2.20 to win against South Africa ($1.60).
A long bow to draw?
A TAB Sportsbet football multiplayer turned a little into a lot when their four-leg half-time/full-time double multi arrived.
"The punter took Draw/Inter Milan in their match against Palermo, Bayern Munich/Draw in their game against Moenchengladbach, Liverpool/Liverpool when they won against Bolton and Fulham/Fulham when they beat Tottenham," Munsie said. "The bet was $30 and the odds were $1014. The customer was very happy to collect almost $30,420."
THE BEST BET
Australia (-18.5) against New Zealand at $1.90 with TAB Sportsbet. (Credit: Fairfax)
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