Rugby Union Betting Markets & Odds

For all of rugby union’s blood and thunder, the truth is that it is a highly strategic game that isn’t just won by brute force. On the contrary, contests are often decided at the breakdown, in the scrum, and during the lineouts. 

You might ask what this means in betting terms. The short answer is that the outcome of any game or tournament is dependent on several key battles. In other words, it pays to recognize where a game might be won and lost. 

One way to do that is by understanding the odds and markets on offer. They will shine a revealing light on what might happen over 80 minutes.

Indeed, once you cast your eye over the rugby union odds and understand what they mean in terms of a game's ebb and flow, you will be better placed to make an educated bet.

Six Nations Championship: The Six Nations Championship is contested annually between England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France, and Italy. Each country plays each other once and the team with the most points at the end is crowned champion of Europe. 

Rugby Championship: The Rugby Championship sees Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Argentina go head to head every year to win the southern hemisphere’s most prestigious rugby union tournament. Each country plays home and away, and whoever accumulates the most points over these fixtures wins the Rugby Championship. 

Rugby World Cup: The Rugby World Cup is played every four years between 20 to 24 teams depending on the format of the specific edition. To win the Webb Ellis Cup, countries have to progress through the pool stages before negotiating the quarter-final, semi-final, and final.

English Premiership: The English Premiership is a domestic tournament in England that is currently contested by ten teams every year. Each team plays home and away with the top four in the league standings after the regular season ends going on to contest a semi-final format before the winner is crowned in the final.

United Rugby Championship: The United Rugby Championship is an annual 16-team competition contested by franchises in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Italy, and South Africa. Each team plays 18 regular season games before the top eight sides advance to the playoffs. Each playoff tie is a straight knockout match as the teams are whittled down to two who will then contest the final. 

Super Rugby Pacific: The Super Rugby Pacific tournament is contested annually between 12 teams from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and the Pacific Islands. The format is round-robin before the best eight teams qualify for the playoffs. The playoffs are one-off knockout fixtures and the final is decided between the two teams left standing. 

Match Winner

The Match Winner market centers on selecting which team you think will win a game over 80 minutes. You are also able to bet on draws but given the rarity of this outcome in rugby union, you’ll find the odds are extremely high. 

Handicap Betting

The Handicap Betting market brings one-sided contests to life. Indeed, let’s say New Zealand are playing Namibia, the result is more or less confirmed before the game begins.

With Handicap Betting, however, you are given a chance to either bet on the favorites to win by a certain margin or the minnows to avoid defeat by the same margin.

So if the handicap points being offered is 40, New Zealand will effectively begin the game on -40 while Namibia will begin with a head start of +40. 

Total Points Over/Under

The Total Points Over/Under betting market allows you to bet on whether the total number of points scored in a match will be higher or lower than the figure being offered.

This market can involve the combined points of both teams in a match, the individual points tally of one team over 80 minutes, or the number of points scored in a specific half. 

Try Scorer

The Try Scorer betting market allows you to bet on which player might score a try during a match. Additionally, you can bet on when a try might be scored in a game and by which player. For instance, you can bet on the first-try scorer of the second half. 

Outright Winner

The Outright Winner market allows you to bet on which team you think will be crowned the overall winner of a particular competition. 

The easiest way to read rugby union odds is by keeping this simple tip in mind; the lower the odds, the more likely an outcome. The higher the odds, the less chance there is of a specific result happening. 

So let’s say South Africa and Scotland are going head to head and the Springboks are at -200 to win while the Scots are at +300 to triumph. A $10 bet on South Africa to win would return a profit of $5 while a $10 bet on Scotland to prevail would earn you a $30 profit. 

The payout on a Scotland win is far bigger because the odds are higher and therefore deemed less likely to happen. 

To place a bet on rugby union matches with BetVictor Canada, you'll first need to create an account by signing up. You'll be pleased to see that BetVictor always offers a welcome bonus as well as ongoing promotions.

Once you have submitted the required personal information and made your opening deposit, tap on the ‘A-Z Sports’ heading on the homepage and then click on ‘Rugby Union.’

Now, select the event and rugby union odds you want to bet. Finally, enter your stake, and click on the green banner that says ‘place bet.’

While we’re passionate about the titanic battles that rugby union produces, we care even more about ensuring that you gamble responsibly with us. Please take the time to visit our Safer Gambling Portal which will provide you with tried-and-tested methods of staying in control when betting on rugby union. 

Find the Best Rugby Odds Today 

We’re proud to be the home of rugby union betting in Canada. Our unrivaled passion for the game means that you will be able to find some of the most competitive rugby union odds in the Great White North on the BetVictor website and app. 

We’re also big on making rugby fans feel at home which is why we’re offering a welcome bonus in the form of a 100% deposit match of up to $400.

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Can Rugby Odds Change?

Yes, they can and often do. Injuries, suspensions, and poor form can lead to a change in odds in the lead-up to a game and even during the match itself. 

What Factors Should I Consider When Placing Bets on Rugby Union Events?

Considering factors such as home ground advantage, form, injuries, suspensions, and previous head-to-head records will increase your chances of making an informed bet.

Is Live Betting Available for Rugby Union Events?

Yes, our in-play market allows you to bet on rugby union matches while the action is unfolding live.