With the Anzac Test between the Kangaroos and Kiwis on the Gold Coast this Friday, Sportsbet is one of the first bookmakers to offer betting on the clash, with the following initial odds (subject to change):
Australia: 1.36
New Zealand: 3.15
Draw: 26.00
I recall seeing odds of around 1.18 in the previous World Cup on the eve of New Zealand’s victory, so I’m intrigued to hear what everyone thinks of the available odds. While the Kiwis are the reigning World Cup and Four Nations champions, Benji Marshall said the Kiwis would be kidding themselves if they thought they were better than the Kangaroos.
“They (Australia) have been the benchmark for international footy for the last 10 years,” Marshall said at Skilled Park today.
“If we thought we were better than them we would be kidding ourselves.
“We haven’t won an Anzac Test for 13 years and in Australia we haven’t won one at all.
“So it is going to be a big challenge.
“With Johnathan Thurston back there (at halfback), Darren Lockyer in great form, Billy Slater the fullback of the year in my mind, they are going to be tough to beat.”
Coach Stephen Kearney is wary of Australia’s stability and combinations.
“You look at the Australian side and they’ve got 13 Queenslanders in the 17,” Kearney said.
“Half of them are in the backline and they have played State of Origin together for the past five or six years.
So, do you guys think the Kiwis are systematically underrated by the bookies, or is Sportsbet being too generous with 1.36 odds on Australia?
Interesting! It is now Wednesday morning and Sportsbet is currently offering the following odds:
Australia: 1.25
New Zealand: 4.00
Draw: 26.00
This suggests that punters had been favouring the Kangaroos at the 1.36 odds (in line with our survey results). Centrebet is currently offering 1.28 on Australia.