KEY POINTS:
The All Blacks are hot favourites to win this year's world cup - but things aren't looking so good for our sailors in Valencia, says the TAB.
For those putting more than national pride at stake, the betting agency was paying $1.55 yesterday for the All Blacks to win at the Rugby World Cup in France.
It was less confident about the Black Caps' chances, putting the cricketers' odds at the ICC Cricket World Cup at seven to one.
TAB head of sports betting Paul Lally said betting for the America's Cup was yet to open but Team NZ was likely to pay around $8 for a win.
The netballers were considered more of a sure thing, expected to pay $2.25 when betting opens for their world champs in about a month.
He said the TAB was at present paying $10.85 for a combined Black Caps and All Blacks win.
The odds of New Zealand winning the international events in all four sports were relatively slim - estimated at 190 to one.
But the odds, set by a group of eight bookmakers, could change. All Black Daniel Carter twisting his ankle could push the figure up towards $1.60, he said.
"Those are the sort of things that do change the odds - if key players get injured."
Mr Lally said the bookmakers believed the All Blacks' nearest rival was France, paying $6, despite the prize having eluded the Kiwi team since 1987.
The Black Caps' chances were buoyed by the recent 3-0 sweep of the Australians at home but the team needed to do better after losing a practice match to Bangladesh last week.
Mr Lally expected this year's betting to top the 2003 totals of $3 million on the Cricket World Cup and $10 million on the Rugby World Cup.
But he said no significant bets had yet been placed.
"There's a lot of money on New Zealand to do well in the cricket and one person bet $20,000 on Australia to win it again at $2.50. A couple of people have bet $10,000 on the All Blacks to win the World Cup at $1.60."
Mr Lally said this year would be the first time since 1999 that New Zealand punters could bet on the America's Cup.
