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SYDNEY - A A$64,000 ($74,660) betting plunge on the New Zealand Warriors to beat Manly in Sunday's National Rugby League (NRL) match sent Australian bookmakers running for cover.
New South Wales' TAB Sportsbet spokesman Glenn Munsie said punters invested A$64,000 on the Warriors in the space of four hours on Wednesday, shortening their price from $1.70 to a skinny $1.45 before betting was suspended mid-afternoon.
The biggest individual bets were A$13,000 at $1.67 and A$10,000 at $1.50.
There was also another A$10,000 placed on the Warriors at $1.90, giving Manly a 2.5-point headstart.
In that four-hour period there was just A$200 invested on Manly, Munsie said.
Wednesday's betting splurge came amid speculation that Manly coach Des Hasler might rest some of his leading players from the tough road trip to Auckland.
They are guaranteed to finish second on the NRL table with still two rounds remaining, and are almost no chance of overhauling leaders Melbourne.
Bets laid against Manly at TAB Sportsbet on Wednesday
A$13,000 at $1.67 on Warriors to win
$10,000 at $1.90 on Warriors win - 2.5 points
$10,000 at $1.50 on Warriors to win
$8,000 at $1.80 on Warriors to win - 2.5 points
$6,000 at $1.60 on Warriors to win - 2.5 points
$5,500 at $1.85 on Warriors to win - 2.5 points
$5,000 at $1.87 on Warriors to win - 2.5 points
$5,000 at $1.75 on Warriors to win - 2.5 points
- AAP, NZPA
