Best Super 15s Rugby Betting Sites 2024

Head-to-Head Betting

Neither money-line betting nor straight-up betting is part of the Australian lexicon, with Australian bookmakers and punters using head-to-head betting to describe markets in which there are odds about the two sides winning the match.

Also, Australians use decimal odds and have the tendency to, incorrectly, insert an Australian dollar sign in front of them. So, for example, head-to-head betting on a Super Rugby game between two of the Australian teams may be:

• $2.70 Rebels
• $1.45 Waratahs

Line and Points Betting

Undoubtedly the most popular Super Rugby match betting type, line betting is when bookmakers handicap games by awarding a head start to the head-to-head underdog.

For example, they may hand the Waratahs a five-and-half-point advantage over the Rebels, a head start that results in punters being able to take $1.92 about either team:

• $1.92 Rebels (+5.5 points)
• $1.92 Waratahs (-5.5 points)

Points betting is line betting with enhanced odds. However, unlike head-to-head and line betting, bookmakers are not guaranteed to pay out on a winner because the handicaps do not align.

For example, if the Waratahs won the example match by six points, punters who backed the Waratahs in either head-to-head betting or line betting (-5.5 points) would receive payouts but neither Waratahs nor Rebels supporters would land their line betting wagers:

• $2.10 Rebels (+3.5 points)
• $2.10 Waratahs (-7.5 points)

Margin Betting

Irrespective of the head-to-head betting, line betting and points betting, Super Rugby bookmakers offer margin betting on all matches throughout the competition, with the margins generally being 1-12 points and 13+ points per side:

• $3.75 Rebels 1-12 points
• $8.50 Rebels 13+ points
• $2.65 Waratahs 1-12 points
• $2.75 Waratahs 13+ points
• $23.00 draw

Exotic markets for Super Rugby

Rugby union is a sport that lends itself to match betting exotics, with some of the most popular markets being those on the first stoppage in play, first third match official decision and, of course, first try scorer.

Detractors of the Super Rugby competition say that matches in it are too stop-start to make for great viewing. They do make for a betting market on the first stoppage in play, though. A typical first stoppage in play market may be:

• $2.10 lineout/throw in
• $3.25 penalty
• $3.25 scrum
• $21.00 try
• $34.00 mark
• $34.00 22-metre drop out
• $81.00 drop goal

The third match official, better known as the video referee, is a feature of Super Rugby games, adjudicating on decisions that the field referee considers too difficult. Remarkably, punters can bet on whether the third match official awards the score when he or she is first asked to make a ruling, with the hot favourite being that they award the score.

And first try scorer, with the wingers on the favourite team often quoted at around $10, is a market that attracts a heap of small bets from Super Rugby fans wanting a little wager.

Super Rugby Futures Betting

Super Rugby is split into three conferences – the Australian Conference, the New Zealand Conference and the South African Conference – with the winner of each section qualifying for the Super Rugby Finals Series, along with the three teams with the best records out of the non-section winners.

Bookmakers enable Super Rugby punters not only to bet on the winner of the championship but also the winners of the three conferences. Furthermore, some bookmakers offer odds about each of the 15 sides qualifying for the knockout phase.

Never Underestimate Home Advantage

There are two major reasons why you should think long and hard before betting against a home team in a Super Rugby match.

First, rugby union is a technical sport in which it is easy for referees to identify an infringement and blow for a penalty if they feel pressurised by the home crowd. And second, travelling takes it toll on away sides.

Weigh up the Conferences

The six best sides do not necessarily for the Super Rugby Finals Series and the top seeding does not necessarily find its way to the top team, either. A good side in a weak conference may be a better futures bet than a slightly stronger team in a conference with more depth to it.

If in Doubt, Back the Crusaders

The Christchurch-based team is the most successful Super Rugby side having won seven titles, four more than the Blues and the Bulls. The Crusaders are perennial contenders and always tough to beat at the business end of the season.