Rugby League is a popular form of rugby. It is mostly played in Europe and New Zealand and is distinct from the rugby games played in New Zealand, which are called rugby union. The main difference between these two forms of rugby is the number of players. In rugby union, each team has 15 players. In Rugby League there are only 13 players on each side. Learn more about how to bet on these two types of rugby in our guides. Our expert tipsters provide Rugby Union and Rugby League betting odds all year round to give you a better chance of winning. We also tell you where to find the best betting sites for these two forms of rugby.
Best Rugby Betting Websites New Zealand
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Rugby League Betting Odds
Many people probably understand the immense popularity of Rugby League. You can find it on New Zealand rugby betting sites, even though the sport doesn't exist in the country. There are rugby union tournaments in New Zealand and that is the only form of rugby played. Apart from the different number of players, Rugby League is quite easy to understand. It is interesting to note that this version of rugby has less physical contact than rugby union games. There are no mauls or rucks, which have traditionally been criticized by fans for sometimes interfering with the pace of the game.
Since there is no maul or ruck, the game ends when a player is taken down. Special situations can occur in these contests. Each side can make a maximum of six tackles before the ball is turned over for failure to score. With fewer tackles and consequently fewer stoppages, the pace of play is correspondingly faster than in rugby union. Scoring is also more difficult. Points for a try or penalty conversion are worth 3-5 points less than in rugby union. With this knowledge, you can place better bets online. Check out the top sportsbooks in New Zealand that take bets on Rugby Union.
Popular Rugby League Competitions
Betting on elite rugby league requires an understanding and know-how that comes from the nuanced rivalry of the competition. To make confident calls on which way a game will go, a bettor must be well researched and understand not only the teams involved, but also the types of tactics that will make for a close contest versus those that will result in a lopsided affair. It helps to have resources like tipsters, newsletters and plain old newspapers.
If you love to bet on rugby league, then you can't ignore the annual State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland. This bitter rivalry divides the best players in the NRL into two distinct camps - the Blues, made up of New South Wales players, and the Maroons, made up of Queensland players. This is a serious event that sends Kiwis into a frenzy, with many of us placing bets that could yield some serious wonga! Our expert rugby league betting tips are now updated for 2025 and recommend this event as a serious rugby league game to consider when placing a bet. There are three Rugby League tournaments that most of us bet on:
Super League Rugby 2022/23
The top-level professional rugby league in Europe is known as Super League Rugby, and it features teams from England. It was founded in 1996 as a rival to the long-established Rugby Football League Championship.
The competition itself is divided into three levels. Level 1 is called the Super League. The Super League is played by 12 teams in 23 round-robin matches. There are no group stages. The top four teams go to the playoffs. The bottom eight teams play the next season in either Level 2 or 3 (i.e. teams in these levels are either relegated or promoted). The season runs from February to October and consists of a mix of established rugby league powers and sides. Known for the physicality, speed and skill of either undisciplined or undisciplined play, Super League Rugby has 13 or 12 players on each side of the pitch.
The Rugby Super League is a professional rugby league competition consisting of 12 teams, mainly from the north of England, showcasing the sport's strong lineage in the area. The league also includes a team from the south of France.
National Rugby League (NRL)
Looking for some rugby league betting tips? The place to start is the National Rugby League (NRL), New Zealand's top domestic competition. Founded in 1998, the NRL now has 16 teams competing throughout the year, culminating in a chance to play in the Grand Final. Betting on NRL games is diverse and includes everything from futures markets to individual player awards such as the Dally M Medal or the Clive Churchill Medal.
Rugby League Challenge Cup
The premier knockout cup competition in rugby league is the Challenge Cup. It pits the top four teams from Super League against teams from League 1 and the Championship. Betting odds on the Rugby League Championship will increase significantly if a team from one of these "smaller" leagues makes it past the third round.
How to bet on rugby league football
Will you be betting on Rugby League matches? There are a few things you should keep in mind to get the most out of your bets. Choosing the right online bookmaker is the first step, and from there you can easily make informed betting decisions. To position yourself favorably and give your bets the best chance of winning, you'll want to follow some (or all) of these tips.
- Create an account first! Sign up with one of our reliable sports bookmakers using the links on this page. It won't take long at all - literally just a few minutes to set up your new account!
- Research every team and player, find the best odds, analyze the statistical probabilities, and take into account the home field advantage. Only bet what you can afford, and make sure the site you choose to place your bets accepts one of the many quick and easy deposit methods such as MasterCard, Visa, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal or Paysafecard.
- Receive any sign up bonuses that Internet bookmakers may offer. Most offer free bets or cash bonuses, which are a great way to boost your bankroll. However, make sure you are familiar with the terms and conditions before you sign up!
- Once you have logged in and the site is up and running, you are ready to place your bets. Navigate to the "Sports" section and click on the "Rugby League" link to see the selection of games currently being played and the betting markets associated with each game. Tapping on the odds of your chosen bet will add it to your betting slip. Then all you have to do is wait for your chosen outcome to happen!
Expert Rugby League Tips
Looking for professional Rugby League odds? Our experienced experts analyse all the action - from the National Rugby League to the Super League and beyond - to give you a knowledgeable, insider's view of what the league has in store. Try our astute picks for size!
Our most important piece of advice for rugby league betting is to consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two teams; this should be your first step. When looking at the match-up, think about how each team is likely to play and whether the conditions are right for a high-scoring game. Your betting strategy can only improve if you do this and make quality decisions based on the results of your analysis.
