Rugby: Bookmaker wears heart on Crusaders scarf

Mark Stafford admits he will be yelling for the Crusaders tonight. Photo / Getty Images

Bookmakers aren't exactly known for their emotions but Mark Stafford admits he will be yelling for the Crusaders tonight - even though it could cost the TAB more than $100,000 if they win.

Stafford is the face of the TAB's rugby betting and says a Crusaders win in the Super 15 final in Brisbane will not go down well with his bosses.

"The difference between the Crusaders winning and the Reds is already a six-figure one for us," admits Stafford.

"And that is without the emotional and even professional money we expect to take in the last few hours before the game.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see some of our $20,000-punters chiming in on the Crusaders late and I think by Sunday morning a lot of people will think $1.52 was good money for them."

While the bookmakers usually cheer for the side that wins them the most, Stafford says he will be wearing the red-and-black scarf tonight.

"I think anybody who loves sport, unless you live in Queensland, will be on their side after what they have been through."

For most of the week, the Crusaders were $1.52 to win tonight's match and could have been a lot shorter but for the loss of Richie McCaw for much of the season and their lack of home games putting some big punters off.

"It could be a lot, lot worse than it is looking at the moment.

"We opened them at $3.75 at the start of the tournament but people didn't jump on, surprisingly, with the biggest bet at those odds being just $3000. But after they beat the Stormers in London the support started to come."

That makes them the first team in Super rugby history to start favourite in a final in another country.

"The only time I can think of the away team being the favourite for a final was when the Crusaders went to Carisbrook to play the Highlanders."

Stafford is predicting an "eight to nine point win" to the Crusaders, which would suit most Australian bookmakers just fine.


Australian parochialism means punters can get as much as $1.65 for the Crusaders with bookmakers there, compared with $1.52 here.