NRL investigates spot fixing claims

Ryan Tandy of the Bulldogs is tackled byJoe Picker of the Raiders celebrate a try. Photo / Getty Images

Cricket isn't the only sport dealing with a spot-fixing scandal, with the NRL probing a betting plunge on the round 24 match between the Bulldogs and and the Cowboys.

Bulldogs prop Ryan Tandy is at the centre of allegations players attempted to engineer a first-scoring play of a Cowboys penalty goal. Odds on that outcome were slashed from $13 to $7 and then suspended after betting agency Betchoice received an unusually high volume of wagers.

Tandy fumbled at the play-the-ball after the opening kickoff and then gave away a penalty for holding down Grant Rovelli 10m out from his own posts.

The Cowboys have denied any knowledge of a potential scam, pointing out that they opted for the quick tap and scored a try.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph reported that punters stood to make $250,000 from a Cowboys penalty.

Director of communications John Brady told the newspaper an NRL investigation would focus on determining links between punters and players, who are forbidden to bet on games.

The NRL had requested betting information and CCTV footage from the betting agency.

Tandy, who played against the Panthers on Monday night, has denied any wrongdoing, declaring he would "never do anything like that to the fans or my teammates".