Rugby: Low paying odds for Ireland ahead of All Blacks re-match

Kieth Earls and Ireland are not being backed by the TAB to come away with a second consecutive win against the All Blacks in Dublin this weekend. Photo / Photosport

Ireland may have shocked the rugby world to upset the All Blacks for the first time in their rugby history in Chicago a week and a half ago, but the TAB have shown minimal faith in the Irish to make it back-to-back wins in Dublin this weekend.

Going into the historic match between the number one ranked side on the planet and the Irish at Soldier Field two Saturday's ago, the TAB were paying $9 for a supposedly unlikely Irish victory, while the three-time world champion All Blacks, who had just won a world record 18th consecutive test match, were given odds of $1.04 in what seemed like a much safer bet.

However, as we all now know, the Irish took their chances and went on to secure their first ever win against the New Zealanders, snapping their world record winning run with a 40-29 victory in front of a 61,500 capacity Soldier Field.

That loss has led to one of, perhaps even the most, anticipated All Blacks tests of the year, with Ireland set to attempt to take on the might of the All Blacks for the second time in two weeks and look to claim back-to-back wins over the reigning world champions for the first ever time since the two countries first met in 1905.

The likelihood of that happening appears to be unrealistic, according to the head-to-head odds the TAB have given for this weekend's showdown.

The betting agency still regard Steve Hansen's side as favourites to do what they couldn't in Chicago, paying $1.13 for a win at Aviva Stadium.

Despite Ireland's monstrous effort against the All Blacks nine days ago, the TAB have shown little faith in Joe Schmidt's boys to do the double over their counterparts.

Although they have reduced the $9 odds they gave Ireland for an unlikely win in Chicago, they are still paying an unfavourable $5.60 for a consecutive Irish victory in front of a home crowd in Dublin.

TAB bookmaker Mark Stafford said that despite their victory in the Windy City, a win to Ireland over the All Blacks should still be considered unrealistic.

"The Irish beat us once in 100 years, do you think they should be favourites after one win?" he explained.

Stafford went on to say that although Ireland's $5.60 odds of winning aren't great, the TAB have given the Irish some leeway and credit for their first win over the All Blacks in 111 years, considering they were paying $9 for the same result one and a half weeks ago.

The re-match between the All Blacks and Ireland is set to kick-off at 6:30am on Sunday morning (NZT) at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, with live commentary on RadioSport, led by Nigel Yalden.