Centenary International - Great Britain v New Zealand betting and odds preview

Events / Editor / 20 September 2007 / Leave a Comment

Great Britain and New Zealand will do battle in a special centenary international on October 20 and the clash will offer betting punters early indicators ahead of the upcoming Test series.

The two sides meet at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington, in a match to celebrate 100 years international competition between the Rugby League nations and there will be plenty of betting interest.

When New Zealand first toured Britain a century ago, they selected one guest Australian player and that will happen again this time. Those checking the odds will be interested to see who will be confirmed as the special guest, with strong suggestions that it will be Andrew Johns.

Punters eyeing a bet should take note that New Zealand have won the last two encounters between the sides, although Great Britain did win the last series on home soil.

The odds for the centenary international are likely to indicate how closely the two teams are matched, with Great Britain looking to improve on their recent form - winning just four of their last eleven matches.

The Kiwis suffered a heavy defeat to Australia in their last outing, 50-12 in the ANZAC Test, and those thinking about a bet will expect a big response from Gary Kemble's men.

There's no real betting guideline to take from previous international matches at Warrington, as the last game there (at the old ground Wilderspool) was back in 1973 - for the record Australia beat Great Britain 15-5.

Both sides will want to set down a marker in the centenary international ahead of the forthcoming three-match Test series, and many punters seeking a bet will be checking out the 'points' betting markets with a view to an entertaining encounter.