Rugby Betting: Markets, Strategies & What to Know
Rugby does not enjoy the same world betting profile as sports like football and basketball, but its popularity is growing among sports betting fans. Countries like the UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and France are where the contact sport is appreciated, and fans capitalize on unique betting opportunities.
Breaking down the essentials of rugby betting, popular markets to choose from, and the key strategies involved will make betting dynamic and inclusive.
Rugby Unions & Leagues
There are two main forms of rugby that any fan can bet on: rugby unions and rugby leagues. Rugby unions feature 15 players per team, played for 80 minutes with much contact. Rugby fans of sports betting south africa wager on major tournaments including Super Rugby Pacific, Six Nations, Rugby World Cup, and The Rugby Championships, among others.
Rugby leagues are fast-paced with minimal contact. Rugby leagues are popular in Australia and Northern England, with each team having 13 players. The National Rugby League and Super League are some of the big rugby events that Betway fans can bet on.
While the playing objective of scoring more points than the opponents is the same in both rugby leagues and unions, the rules, formats, and scoring systems differ in a manner that will affect your betting strategies.
Popular Betting Markets
Just like football, rugby offers betting fans a wide range of betting markets to choose from. Betway fans can bet on the match winner, which is a straightforward wager on which team wins after the final whistle. They can also bet on draws in union rugby games.
Handicap or spread betting is also possible when there is a clear favorite. The stronger team is given a points deficit to cover the spread and balance the odds. Fans can also bet on total points, over or under. For example, both teams will score more than 2 tries. Winning margin bets predict the range by which a team will win.
There are also specific bets such as the first team to score, which players score first, and the team leading at half-time, among others. Many betting platforms, such as Betway, offer live rugby betting for fans who like to bet on games as the action unfolds.
Strategies for Rugby Betting
In sports betting, knowledge of the teams and their opponents is crucial when forming a betting strategy. Consider several pieces of information, such as team form, injuries, team selection, weather conditions, and referee trends, before betting on rugby matches.
Heat-to-head results and home vs away records determine the form of the team when facing their opponents. Missing key players that control the game, like fly halves, scrum-halves, and wingers, can drastically change a team’s odds. Rain and windy weather conditions often reduce the pace of rugby matches and increase handling errors. Some teams thrive in rainy conditions while most prefer dry weather, and some referees are stricter than others.
Conclusion
Rugby betting is just as exciting as football betting. All you need to do is understand the game and the vital statistics before a match begins, and you’re good to go.