Rugby World Cup: Bookie suffers divided loyalties

TAB bookmaker Mark Stafford. Photo / Greg Bowker

Four million Kiwis are backing the boys in black to win back-to-back Rugby World Cups - but the history-making effort would see the TAB take a hit to the pocket.

A whopping 61 per cent of bets back the All Blacks to win the World Cup, while 23 per cent is on Australia, 12 per cent on South Africa and just 4 per cent on Argentina.

TAB bookmaker Mark Stafford said financially the agency would take a hit if the All Blacks were to achieve successive tournament wins.

"Financially it would be the best outcome if Argentina won but emotionally it would ruin me," he said.

Four years ago, Kiwis wagered a staggering $30.2 million on the tournament.

This year's event had generated some of the biggest bets in TAB history, including a $130,000 bet, at odds of $1.55, on the All Blacks not to defend their title.

The punter, who has been identified only as "Dave", stands to earn $71,500 if his big bet comes true.

Dave's bet could win as early as tomorrow morning when the All Blacks take on the Springboks in the tournament's first semifinal.

The TAB are heavily backing the men in black to win, offering odds of $1.25 on the All Blacks and $3.70 on the Springboks.

The Wallabies are odds-on to win Monday's semifinal against Argentina, at $1.42, while Argentina stand a $2.70 chance.

Stafford said the history between the sides and recent form had been major factors in deciding the odds.

"It is just an expectation thing. When you look at the New Zealand versus South Africa game, we think that New Zealand would win three out of four games between the two teams," he said.

"But there are teams that bring the best out of other teams. New Zealand bring out the best in South Africa and South Africa bring out the best in New Zealand. So you know both teams will be right on for this."

The agency had also taken into account team selections, injuries, fatigue, confidence, and goal-kicking when offering odds.