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Rugby odds & betting - bet on rugby at VivatBet
VivatBet: The Heart of Rugby Betting - We Read the Game, So You Can Write Your Win
Rugby union is the classic version of the game and the most popular. Each team consists of 15 players. Players are numbered strictly from 1 to 15, with each player's number depending on their position on the field.
The match is divided into two 40-minute halves. In contrast to football, rugby employs a system of 'net time'. If necessary, the main referee will stop the clock. Such occurrences are most frequently observed during substitutions, in cases of player injury, or when the video referee is consulted. The second feature related to playing time is extra time. In the context of this sport, there is no provision for additional time. However, it should be noted that the match does not conclude immediately upon the blowing of the final whistle. The teams continue to play until the ball leaves the field or the attacking team makes a mistake.
History of Rugby
The sport's history began with a moment of schoolboy rebellion at Rugby School in England in 1823. According to the story, William Webb Ellis picked up a football and ran with it, ignoring the rules. This act of defiance led to the creation of "rugby football," a game that focused on handling and tackling. And then the game was split in 1895 into the amateur Rugby Union and the professional Rugby League over player compensation. The sport was spread across the globe by the British Empire, becoming a key part of what it meant to be from countries like New Zealand, South Africa, Wales, and of course Ireland. There, it changed from being just for the elite to being a professional spectacle.
Top rugby competitions for betting
At the national team level, there are three major tournaments in rugby union: the World Cup, United Rugby Championship and the Six Nations Championship. The World Cup is a straightforward event, similar to the football World Cup, and is held every four years. The Rugby Championship and the Six Nations Championship are annual tournaments for two different hemispheres.
Until 2011, the Tri Nations Cup was held, with the strongest rugby nations — New Zealand, Australia and South Africa — participating. In 2012, Argentina joined the tournament, which was renamed. The Argentine national team is a prime example of a lack of surprises: in the Championship tournament, the South Americans have played 33 matches and won only three of them.
The Six Nations Championship has been held since 2000, when Italy was admitted to the elite European rugby family. However, the Italian team has yet to secure a victory in this tournament. As is customary, teams from the British Isles and France continue to dominate.
Rugby 13 or rugby league. This is a simplified version of classic rugby, which is particularly popular in Australia and England.
In addition to a reduced number of players on the field, there have been some relaxations in the rules. This style of rugby is characterised by a fast pace of play. A key feature of the game is the time limit on attacks. Each team has five phases in which to attack. During this time, the attack must reach the scoring area. Should this not be achieved, the ball is kicked forward and the other team gains possession.
Rugby 7s - The Olympic version. The match is played in accordance with the regulations of full rugby, but with a reduced number of players on each team. Specifically, there are seven players on the field at any one time, and the game is scheduled to last for a total of 14 minutes. The regulations for rugby sevens and rugby union are identical.
The game demands a high level of energy from players and can be traumatic for them. The Rugby World Cup's duration of two months is not a coincidence; it is physically demanding to play more than one match per week. The introduction of rugby sevens was a strategic decision to address this challenge, with the tournament lasting 2-3 days. Teams participate in multiple matches during the course of the tournament. In this variation, the emphasis is on the swiftness of the players rather than their physical strength and power. There is no specific training programme for the '7s' variation, but players from rugby union often switch to it during various tournaments.
Types of bets on rugby
There are standard rugby betting options for all varieties of this sport: bets on outcomes (victory of one of the teams or a draw), handicap and total.
In the '15' and '7' varieties, 5 points are awarded for a try. A team has the opportunity to earn an additional two points for a successful conversion following a try. Should this team successfully convert a penalty kick or score from open play through the H-shaped goalposts, they will earn 3 points.
In the '15' sub-type, all scoring options are used equally often, but in rugby 7s, due to the smaller number of players on the field, teams most often use only the 'try + conversion' combination.
In the sport of rugby, a try is worth 4 points, and an additional 2 points are awarded for a successful conversion kick. Please note that only one point will be awarded for an accurate kick from play into the H-shaped goal. This option is generally used at the end of a match to achieve the desired differential in the score.
When betting on rugby union, it is important to remember that there is a very clear division between favourites and underdogs. A weak team has virtually no chance of winning a match. For instance, in eight World Cups, only in 2003 has a European team managed to win the title. In the current global climate, it is evident that only leading nations consistently achieve favourable outcomes. New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
In the context of rugby sevens, teams are typically comprised of seven players, as it is often more feasible to assemble a strong squad of seven than a weaker one of fifteen. Small countries where the classic version of the game (15) is very popular can take advantage of this. For instance, the 2016 Olympic Games saw the Fiji men's team triumph, despite the country's population being less than a million.
In the original version of the game, the current score is of significance, as a team is awarded additional points for achievements during the match. A win is worth four points. Furthermore, in the event that a team successfully completes four or more attempts, they will be awarded an additional point. Players can earn a maximum of five points in a single match. In addition, a reward is on offer to the losing side: in the event of a margin of less than seven points, the team will receive one point. This approach ensures that both teams maintain a strong offensive mindset until the final moments of the game.
How to bet on rugby
This sport is traumatic, so pre-match analysis of each game must take a significant amount of time. As previously stated, teams rarely play more than one match per week. When betting on rugby 15s and rugby 13s, it is crucial to study the statistics of the games and use them in your betting strategy. Sensations are rare here.
Handicap betting in matches in this sport is unpredictable. The most effective strategy to accrue points is to advance the ball into the designated scoring area. For each attempt, the team is awarded 5 points, followed by a free kick worth 2 points. The key distinction here is evident. If you carry the ball closer to the centre of the field, the player will find it easier to hit the H-shaped goal. It is evident that the primary defensive forces are concentrated in the centre. It is evident that carrying the ball from the edge is the superior option.
A team will earn 20 points for four tries. Each successful attempt is rewarded with a free kick, resulting in eight additional points. If the kicker scores every kick, the total is 28 points. This is the consequence of an unsuccessful outcome.
Rugby is a high-scoring game. It is evident that at least one of the teams achieves a score in excess of 20 points per match. It is standard practice to assign a total score of 38-42 points.
When selecting bets, it is essential to pay close attention to weather conditions, as they can significantly influence the outcome of a match. Weather conditions or their consequences should not be considered as grounds for cancellation of the match. Playing in such cases can present certain challenges: there is a tendency for fewer goals to be scored, and there is a possibility of an increase in the number of injuries.
Many players prefer to place bets on rugby in 'live' mode, i.e. during the match itself, because injuries can have a significant impact on the game. In such situations, it is essential to remain vigilant and respond promptly to the prevailing circumstances.
The strategy for betting on rugby may vary depending on when the bet is placed (pre-match or live), but those who are just starting to take an interest in betting on this sport may also find it useful to study the advice of those who already have considerable experience in this area. It is important to note that no advice or predictions can be considered foolproof.
Rugby League player market betting odds
Beyond team outcomes, you can bet on individual performances. These markets focus purely on the players:
Try-Scorer Markets: Bet on a player to score the first try, last try, or a try at any time during the match.
Multiple Score Markets: For when you're confident in a player's form. Bet on a player to score two or more tries (a brace) or three or more tries (a hat-trick).
Kicking Markets: Wager on a player's kicking performance, such as first successful goal kicker or total goals/missed kicks.
Stat-Based Markets: Focus on a player's defensive or attacking contributions, like the total number of tackles made, metres gained, or assists.
Man of the Match Markets: Bet on which player will be officially named Man of the Match.
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Rugby betting FAQ
What types of rugby matches can I bet on with VivatBet?
Loads! From the Six Nations (of course) and the URC (where our provinces compete against each other), to the Heineken Champions Cup, Super Rugby, and the major international tours. We cover all the major leagues and tournaments, as well as some more specialist markets.
What's the deal with "Try Scorer" bets?
A classic! You can bet on First, Last, or Anytime Try Scorer. Here's a handy tip: check the team lists after they've been announced. A player might be listed as a winger but start at fullback, which changes everything. We also offer "To Score 2+ Tries" for anyone who wants to take a chance.
What is a "handicap" bet in rugby?
It's like giving a team a head start or a penalty start to make things fairer. If you bet on Leinster to beat Connacht, you would get 12.5 points back. To win your bet, Leinster need to win by 13 points or more. If you bet on Connacht at +12.5, they can lose by 12 or less (or win outright) for your bet to be successful. This is perfect for those fixtures that look uneven.
Can I bet on things other than the winner?
Yes, this is where it gets interesting. Do you want to bet on the total number of points scored in a match (Over/Under), the first scoring play (penalty, try, or drop goal), the half-time/full-time double, or the total number of tries? We also have markets that rank player performance, like tackles made, metres gained, and kicks from hand.
What happens if a game goes to extra time or gets abandoned?
Most bets count extra time. If it's a knockout cup game and it goes to extra time, those points are included. If a match is abandoned before 80 minutes, it's usually cancelled (unless the result is already known, like a winner in a cup tie). You can find all the details in the terms and conditions, but we're nice about it.