Kiwi's bet is key clue in Aussie scandal

A CCTV image of the woman in the TAB. Photo / NZPA, NZ Police

A pram-pushing woman who tried to place an unusual bet at an Auckland TAB is expected to be an important witness in the alleged NRL rugby league betting scandal.

The woman has been spoken to by New Zealand police after CCTV images of her trying to place the bet at the Browns Bay TAB were published by the media.

Two former NRL players and a player agent are facing charges in Australia in relation to the alleged scam.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kim Libby said police spoke to the woman about two months ago and passed the details on to their colleagues in Australia.

Asked if the woman was facing charges, Mr Libby said: "Not at this stage. But I'm not going to rule that out completely."

Sydney's Sun Herald reported yesterday that one of the images showed the woman presenting her cellphone to the TAB operator as she tried to put a bet of almost $4000 on a game between the Bulldogs and the Cowboys last August.

Mr Libby said he believed the woman was talking to someone on her phone when she made the bet.

Detective Superintendent Ken Finch told the Sun Herald: "Police are investigating links between the woman in New Zealand and others who have already been charged."

Police told the newspaper that they were treating the woman as a witness and she was co-operating with their investigation.

Former Canterbury Bulldogs player Ryan Tandy had a fresh charge laid against him last week of attempting to dishonestly obtain a financial advantage by deception.

He is facing other charges in relation to giving false evidence to the NSW Crime Commission.

Tandy faces jail and a life ban from the sport if found guilty.

Player agent Sam Ayoub and former player John Elias have also been charged with attempting to dishonestly obtain a financial advantage. They have pleaded not guilty.

In the Cowboys-Bulldogs game on August 21, Tandy was penalised two minutes into the game after a tackle infringement.

The penalty was awarded to the Cowboys in front of their posts.

The woman in New Zealand had tried to place the huge bet on the Cowboys to open the scoring with a penalty.

But the Cowboys chose to take a tap rather than kick for goal.

The TAB has said that bets on the first scoring play in league are normally for a try and are seldom for more than $100.