16 Oct 2015

TAB odds suggest Bleus-induced anxiety

11:29 am on 16 October 2015

Betting odds for Sunday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final appear to be reflecting New Zealand's fear of the French.

France celebrate as the All Blacks look on after the World Cup loss in 2007 at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales. Saturday 6 October 2007. France won the match 20-18. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/PHOTOSPORT

France celebrate as the All Blacks look on after the World Cup loss in 2007 in Cardiff Photo: Photosport

Losses to France in the 1999 and 2007 tournaments and a less than convincing win in 2011's final have earned Les Bleus the starring role in All Black fans' nightmares.

TAB spokesman Mark Stafford said there was belief in an All Black win, but the TAB is paying out less on France than anywhere else in the world.

Compared with the return of $4.75 currently being offered in New Zealand for a dollar bet on a French win, Australian betting agencies are offering $5.25 and French ones $6.

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