TAB review Aug. 5

[dave nz]

Consecutive losses by the All Blacks in South Africa meant that loyal kiwi punters have struggled in recent times but the first round of the Air New Zealand Cup appears to have favoured the investor even though there were several notable upsets.

In the test at Durban the best results for punters were the two $10,000 wagers on the Boks at $1.52 while there were no significant bets on the All Blacks which was hardly surprising after the earlier loss in Bloemfontein.

In the Air New Zealand Cup it was a major surprise to see Canterbury, Auckland and Waikato all losing in the same weekend. The match between the other Super 14 franchise bases, Wellington and Otago, saw Wellington narrowly retain the Ranfurly Shield. Without any major bets the area where the punters struck was the "points start" option where teams like North Harbour, Otago and Southland cost us plenty. Individual bets of interest : $24,963 at $1.75 in live betting on Tasman to beat Taranaki ( loser ), $16,247 at $1.47 on Manawatu to beat Counties - Manukau ( winner ), $10,000 at $1.15 on Canterbury to beat North Harbour - live betting - ( loser ), and $10,000 at $1.80 on Hawkes Bay to down Auckland in live betting ( winner ).

The New Zealand Warriors blew a huge lead against Penrith before finally escaping from the game with a draw, even after extra time. One punter lashed out with $20,000 at just $1.05 on the Warriors with their big lead and in the end was paid out half dividends. The biggest NRL bet of the week was the successful $30,000 at $1.45 on the Gold Coast Titans beating the North Queensland Cowboys. The Bulldogs are having a good season and the $10,000 wager on them at $1.35 to beat Souths was a winner as were the two lots of $10,000s at $1.17 on the Tigers to beat Manly. Not so good though was the $10,000 at $1.14 on the Newcastle Knights to down the Sydney Roosters.

Other sports bets of interest : $15,000 at $1.80 on odd winning tote numbers beating the evens at Alexandra Park on Friday night, which they did. $15,000 at $1.85 on Toronto to beat Oakland in MLB ( winner ), and two winning AFL bets, $10,000 at $1.28 on Carlton beating North Melbourne and $10,000 at $1.27 on Richmond beating Melbourne.

[Bronson7]

The Cowboys beat the Titans and they were a major upset.

[dave nz]

Yep, I don't write it. Muppets do.