The TAB has opened its book for this weekend’s trans-Tasman rugby league test – and a Kiwi punter has already made a massive investment on the Aussies.

The TAB has Australia favourites at $1.40 to win the game in Wellington. New Zealand is at $2.80.

The punter has already put $35,000 on the Aussies to win, for a return of $50,000.

TAB rugby league bookie Kevin Gutschlag is expecting a close match.

“English referee Russell Smith is controlling the game and in the last two Aussie-Kiwi matches he reffed [in 1999] just two points separated the teams – he runs a tight, controlled game,” he said.

Kevin Gutschlag said despite the big backing for Australia, he’s expecting a “wave of patriotic money” to come on New Zealand this week.

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