All Blacks strong favorites, TAB not so sure

Sonny Bill Williams lines up at second-five for Sunday's Tri-Nations encounter with the Springboks Photo / Getty Images

Local punters are overwhelmingly backing the backup All Blacks to beat the Springboks in Sunday morning's Tri Nations clash in Port Elizabeth.

However TAB bookie Mark Stafford isn't so sure of the favourable odds, despite the Springboks losing all three matches in their current campaign.

"We can't separate the two teams, which is why the odds opened at $1.87 for both teams. However, 80% of the punters money has flooded in on the All Blacks so the odds have moved out to reflect that."

"They're without their three best players in Carter, McCaw and Read, and there's a lot that's unproven in this All Blacks team."

Currently the TAB has the All Blacks paying $1.60 to win and the Springboks $2.25.

Stafford says he's not as confident as the punters in the All Blacks chances pointing to the inexperience of the midfield trio.

"The biggest question mark is whether the backline can gel. Colin Slade, Sonny Bill Williams and Richard Kahui have never played together as a combination and Israel Dagg and Isaia Toeava are coming back from long injury breaks."

In other odds, the All Blacks are paying $3.20 for a 13+ win compared to $6.50 for the Springboks by the same margin.

- HERALD ONLINE