NRL: Punting woman eludes police

A closed circuit image of the woman in an Auckland TAB. Photo / Supplied

A pram-pushing woman pictured laughing as she returns a losing betting slip to an Auckland TAB continues to elude Australian police investigating suspicious wagers on a National Rugby League (NRL) match last August.

Strike Force Suburb, established to probe alleged irregular betting on the round 24 match between the Bulldogs and North Queensland, released CCTV footage of the woman yesterday in the hope she could be identified and assist with their inquiries.

Despite the images of the woman visiting a Browns Bay TAB shortly before the game kicked off on August 20 - and again the following day - being widely circulated, she had not yet been found, a New South Wales police spokesman told NZPA.

It is understood she attempted to bet $4000 on a penalty goal as the first scoring play in the game - an amount that raised alarm at TAB headquarters given it was an unlikely scenario.

Detectives insisted they were not implying the woman in the footage had done anything illegal but would like to speak with her considering three people had already been charged in relation to a betting plunge.

"Not every bet that was laid would be suspicious but due to the amount in this case, which was not insubstantial, this is one of them," lead investigator Detective Superintendent Ken Finch said.

Police are also seeking the identity of at least one punter in Tasmania.

The three people charged so far are sacked Bulldogs player Ryan Tandy, who faces four charges of providing false or misleading evidence to the NSW Crime Commission, player manager Sam Ayoub and former player John Elias, who are both charged with attempting to defraud betting agencies.

Tandy was penalised two minutes into the game for impeding Cowboys playmaker Grant Rovelli in front of the posts after the Bulldogs forward had spilled the opening kick-off.

The Cowboys were awarded a penalty but took a tap kick instead of kicking for goal and scored a try.

Tandy, 29, pleaded not guilty to all charges on March 3 and appears in court again next Thursday with Ayoub and Elias.

- NZPA