A punter has made $140,000 in profit after laying the largest-ever bet with the TAB - on the All Blacks to win the Rugby World Cup final against Australia.
Some Qantas staff, meanwhile, will be wearing black jerseys after a wager with Air New Zealand.
The All Blacks celebrate after becoming the first team to retain the Webb Ellis Cup - and the first to win it three times. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The All Blacks beat Australia 34-17 early on Sunday morning to retain the title of world champions, in what has been described as a fairytale finish for several retiring players and a masterclass of rugby.
The $400,000 bet, which was placed in the North Island on Saturday, is the TAB's biggest wager since betting through the agency began in New Zealand in 1961.
The previous record was a $200,000 bet on Brazil to beat China in the 2002 Football World Cup.
TAB said the punter, who will now take home $540,000, did not want to be identified.
Fans watch nervously during the second half at the Five Stags in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Michael Cropp
As a result of losing the bet with Air New Zealand, Australian Qantas staff on a midday flight between Sydney and Auckland on Monday will wear All Black jerseys.
The rival airlines had made a deal that, whoever's team won the Rugby World Cup, crew members from the other airline would have to wear the winning side's jerseys.
Qantas spokesperson Tom Woodward said Air New Zealand staff would hand over the black jerseys to Qantas staff at Sydney Airport in a ceremony before the flight.
An onboard announcement will also be made by the Qantas crew acknowledging New Zealand's win.
Congratulations @AllBlacks on the win. I guess we’ll see you early tomorrow @FlyAirNZ! #AirlineWager #NZLvAUS
— Qantas (@Qantas) October 31, 2015
Prime Minister John Key said the win - which makes the All Blacks the first team to retain the Webb Ellis Cup and the first to win it three times - was years in the making.
Mr Key, who was at the game in London, said self-belief played a big part.
"They absolutely believed that they could win the Cup and, mutually, they've spent a lot of time over the last three or four years talking through what it would take to do the job, I guess.
"So it's not just a matter of their physical skill or ability, although that's outstanding - I think it's also their mental preparation."
Labour Party leader Andrew Little, who was also at the game, has congratulated the team and said it was fantastic to be at Twickenham with All Black supporters.
Prime Minister John Key (pictured) and Labour Party leader Andrew Little watched the game in London. Photo: AFP
Sky Television, which broadcast the game live and owns Prime TV, which had the free-to-air rights, has declined to say how many people are estimated to have watched the final.
But the All Blacks quarter-final two weeks ago against France, played at 8am, had one of the highest combined audiences of any programme this year, at more than one million.
Almost 700,000 people got up at 4am to watch last week's semi-final against South Africa.
Parade likely to be held in Auckland
A public celebration of the win is likely to take place this week, Auckland Mayor Len Brown has said.
Mr Brown told TVNZ's Q+A that the Auckland Council was talking to the All Blacks' management and he was expecting to be able to outline details shortly.
"We are looking forward to the All Blacks' team giving us some clear instruction," he said.
"There will be a public celebration, it'll be outstanding and hopefully we'll be able to conclude the deal for something on Wednesday."
Mr Brown said it was hard to stop smiling after the quality of the All Blacks' winning performance.
Fireworks go off after New Zealand's win against Australia today. Photo: MITCH GUNN / BACKPAGE IMAGES Ltd / DPPI media
New Zealand Post will also be marking the win, by issuing a special stamp sheet.
The limited edition sheet will feature an official photo of the All Blacks being crowned World Champions at Twickenham this morning, as well as six other All Blacks stamps.
New Zealand Post said capturing the historic moment on a collectable stamp sheet was a great way for fans around the world to mark the team's success.
The stamps are available online now and will also be in PostShops from early this week.
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw, left, holds the Webb Ellis Cup next to Dan Carter. Photo: AFP
Ma'a Nonu busts a move in the All Blacks' dressing room after the win. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The team embraces on the field after the final whistle. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
All Black fans pose for a photo before the kick-off at the final. Photo: PhotoSport
