By GREGG WYCHERLEY
New Zealand Warriors boss Eric Watson has been asked by Australian National Rugby League officials to explain allegations that he won $400,000 betting on his team.
In Sydney yesterday, NRL officials listened as Warriors chief executive Mick Watson defended his millionaire boss against claims that he backed the
club to win against Penrith on August 5.
The suggestions arose from comments by Eric Watson's model wife, Nicky, in a weekend newspaper that her husband had won $400,000, against an $80,000 outlay.
Her comments that he had "given the boys a huge incentive" appeared to imply that her husband had also backed the team to qualify for the NRL top-eight playoffs.
The paper said Mr Watson was known as a keen sports gambler and that he stood to make $300,000 if the team made the playoffs.
However, those figures do not appear to stack up.
The TAB in New Zealand offered $1.85 for a Warriors win in the Penrith game, meaning that a return on $80,000 would be nowhere near the $400,000 stated.
Mr Watson, who is negotiating a property deal in Los Angeles, could not be contacted for comment.
Competition rules say that no official aligned with an NRL club is allowed to bet on competition matches.
Breaches can result in a fine ranging from $A10,000 to $A50,000 ($12,077 to $60,385).
NRL spokesman John Brady said the Warriors management had been sent a letter asking for an explanation.
"The formal process is that we write to them, ask for their explanation of the events and they'll write back to us."
He expected the issue to be sorted out soon.
Last night, Warriors' spokesman Mick Watson said Nicky Watson had denied saying that her husband had bet on the Warriors.
"She laughed and said, 'Yeah, he had a big win' but she didn't suggest for a minute that he was punting.
"She didn't quote any figures at all."
Her "silly" comments were sarcastic and her husband had never bet on the Warriors' performance, he said.
"It was a throwaway line by Eric's wife.
"She was doing a modelling assignment, she was being sarcastic, playing with the media," he said.
Allan Botica, media manager for the Warriors, said Mr Watson had laughed when questioned about the issue and had said that he did not comment on rumour or speculation.
