Rugby Union Tips, Predictions & Match Previews
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They call it the 'game played in heaven' and you can rest assured that all your rugby union betting tips can be found right here.
Whether it's the World Cup, the Super Rugby club competition or the game's strongest rivalry in the Bledisloe Cup, we will have your betting selections and strategy across this truly global game.
The bets.com.au team of resident Rugby Union experts will provide their best betting tips and predictions, along with match previews of all the big games across the world, so stay tuned to this page to keep one step ahead of the bookies.
Upcoming Rugby Union - Super Rugby Semi-Finals
The 2026 Super Rugby Grand Final takes place on Saturday as the Chiefs and Hurricanes lock horns.
| Date | Game | Time (AEST) |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 20 June 2026 | Hurricanes vs Chiefs | 5:05pm |
Best Rugby Union Bookmakers
All of the top bookmakers in Australia offer odds on Rugby Union - whether it's a Super Rugby game or the Wallabies are involved in a big international showdown, the bookies have you covered.
Our recommended bookmakers to bet on Rugby Union can be seen below, while you can also check out our detailed reviews of the best bookmakers in Australia to see the right choice for you.
Rugby Union Betting Markets
There's hundreds of betting markets available on Rugby Union across all forms of the great game.
Check out all the available markets from bookmakers in Australia in the list below.
Match Result Markets
- Head-to-Head (Win/Draw/Lose)
- Draw No Bet
- Double Chance (Team A or Draw / Team B or Draw)
- 1st Half Result
- 2nd Half Result
- To Win Either Half
- Half-Time/Full-Time Double
Line & Margin Markets
- Line Handicap (Points Spread)
- Alternative Line Handicap
- Winning Margin (1–12, 13+)
- Team to Win by X+ Points
- Race to 10 / 20 / 30 Points
- To Win Both Halves
- Highest Scoring Half
Total Points (Over/Under)
- Total Match Points
- Team Total Points
- 1st Half Total Points
- 2nd Half Total Points
- Alternative Totals
- Odd/Even Total Points
Try Scorer Markets
- First Try Scorer
- Last Try Scorer
- Anytime Try Scorer
- 1st Team Try Scorer
- Player to Score 2+ Tries
- Player to Score a Hat-Trick
- First Team Try / Last Team Try
- Forward to Score a Try
Team & Player Performance Markets
- Team to Score First
- Team to Score Last
- Team to Lead at Half-Time & Win
- Player of the Match
- First Scoring Play (Try / Penalty / Drop Goal)
- Method of First Try (Pick & Go, Backline Move, etc.)
- Penalty Tries in Match (Yes/No)
- Player Total Points (Over/Under)
Timing & Sequence Markets
- Time of First Try (e.g., Under 8:00)
- Time of First Scoring Play
- Team to Score in First 10 Minutes
- First Half Exact Score
- To Score in Both Halves
- Sequence of Tries (Which team scores first, second, etc.)
Half Markets
- 1st Half Winner
- 2nd Half Winner
- Highest Scoring Half
- To Win First / Second / Either Half
- Points in Each Half (Over/Under)
- Exact Points per Half
Tournament & Futures Markets
- Outright Winner
- Top Try Scorer
- Top Point Scorer
- Player of the Tournament
- To Reach the Final
- Stage of Elimination
- Pool Winner (World Cup)
- Group Qualification
- Country to Score Most Tries (Rugby World Cup)
- Winning Nation / Hemisphere
- Best Home Nation (Six Nations)
Special & Exotic Markets
- To Score a Drop Goal
- Total Drop Goals Over/Under
- Any Player Sent Off
- Total Cards in Match (Yellow/Red)
- Team to Receive First Card
- Winning Margin Bands (1–5, 6–10, 11–15, etc.)
- Will There Be Extra Time?
- Will There Be a Penalty Shootout?
- Both Teams to Score 20+ Points
- Either Team to Win by 20+ Points
Australian-Focused Markets
- Australia (Wallabies) to Win the Rugby Championship
- Bledisloe Cup Winner
- Australian Team to Score First Try
- Australian Player to Score Anytime
- Australian Province to Finish Highest (Super Rugby)
- Number of Australian Teams in Super Rugby Finals
- Australian Player of the Series
Live & In-Play Betting
- Next Scoring Play (Try / Penalty / Drop Goal)
- Next Team to Score
- Next Try Scorer
- Total Points – Live Line
- Race to X Points – Live
- Winning Margin Updated (Live Adjusted Odds)
- Method of Next Try (Scrum, Lineout, Counterattack, etc.)
Betting on Rugby Union
There's various options and ways to bet on Rugby Union, with several different competitions - both club and international - going on at stages throughout the year.
We take you through some of the most popular Rugby Union competitions in the world below. Click on the links to dive deeper into each competition.
Super Rugby
The Super Rugby Pacific competition is the premier professional rugby union tournament in the southern hemisphere, featuring 11 teams from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the Pacific Islands. Established in the mid-1990s and now streamlined under the “Pacific” banner, the competition showcases a fast, attacking style of rugby, combining traditional powerhouse clubs from New Zealand and Australia with newer franchises such as Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika.
The 2025 season runs across 16 rounds, with each team playing 14 regular-season matches - seven at home and seven away - plus two byes. The top six teams advance to the finals series, a refreshed knockout format where the top three seeds host the quarterfinals, followed by semi-finals and a grand final hosted by the highest remaining seed. This structure ensures a strong competitive balance while preserving key trans-Tasman and Pacific rivalries.
Super Rugby remains a critical pathway for international selection, particularly for Wallabies and All Blacks hopefuls, and serves as a vital showcase for emerging Pacific Island talent. Its blend of elite athleticism, expansive gameplay and regional pride makes it one of the world’s most dynamic club rugby competitions, continuing to evolve as the heartbeat of southern hemisphere rugby.
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is the quadrennial global tournament that serves as the pinnacle of international rugby union competition. First held in 1987, it brings together the top national teams from around the world to compete for the Webb Ellis Cup every four years. The tournament is jointly administered by the global governing body World Rugby and rotates host nations - in 2023 it was held in France, while the next edition (2027) is scheduled to take place in Australia.
Each Rugby World Cup features a group stage followed by knockout rounds. Teams are placed into pools (groups) and play round-robin matches; the best-performing teams from each pool advance to the knockout stage (quarterfinals, semifinals, and final). The final match - where the champion is crowned - has repeatedly produced some of rugby’s greatest moments and winning the Cup is widely considered the ultimate achievement for any rugby nation. Over the years, the competition has expanded to include up to 20 or more national teams, reflecting the sport’s growth worldwide.
The Rugby World Cup plays a crucial role in global rugby culture, elevating the game’s profile and offering a platform for players from Tier-1 and emerging rugby nations alike. It drives international rivalry, showcases national pride and often sets the benchmark for player legacies and coaching careers. The tournament also fuels massive global viewership, sponsorship, and long-term growth for rugby union - and continues to unite fans across continents through one of sport’s most celebrated global competitions.
Rugby Championship
The Rugby Championship is the premier annual international competition in the southern hemisphere, featuring the national teams of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina. It serves as the key mid-year test series for these rugby powers, combining high-stakes rivalry, regional pride and elite international standards.
Each year’s edition follows a round-robin format where each nation plays the others both home and away (though locations can vary). Teams earn points for wins, draws, bonus-point scoring and close losses. At the end of the round robin, the team with the highest total points is crowned champion.
The Championship plays an important role in global rugby: it helps prepare squads for the global stage (including the Rugby World Cup), maintains strong competitive standards outside of knockout tournaments and showcases the best southern-hemisphere talent, ensuring that test-level rugby remains vibrant and relevant year-round for fans and players alike.
Six Nations
The Six Nations Championship is Europe’s premier international rugby union competition, played annually between England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. It traces its origins back to 1883 as the Home Nations Championship before expanding over time, with Italy joining in 2000 to form the modern six-team tournament. Today, it stands as one of rugby’s most prestigious and tradition-rich events, symbolising over a century of fierce national rivalries and sporting excellence.
The competition runs each year from February to March, with each nation playing five matches on a single round-robin basis, alternating home and away fixtures annually. Teams earn four points for a win, two for a draw and can collect bonus points for scoring four or more tries or losing by fewer than seven points. The nation with the highest total at the end of the tournament is crowned Six Nations Champion, while a team that defeats all five opponents claims the coveted Grand Slam.
The Six Nations is not only a highlight of the rugby calendar but also a cultural event across Europe, drawing massive television audiences and sell-out crowds at historic venues like Twickenham, Stade de France and Aviva Stadium. It continues to serve as both a showcase of northern hemisphere rugby strength and a vital proving ground ahead of global competitions such as the Rugby World Cup.
NPC Rugby
The National Provincial Championship (NPC) is New Zealand’s premier domestic rugby union competition. Established in 1976, it brings together provincial teams from across the country, serving as the crucial bridge between grassroots rugby and professional franchises like those in Super Rugby Pacific. The NPC has long been a breeding ground for All Blacks stars and remains one of the most competitive and talent-rich domestic tournaments in world rugby.
The competition features 14 provincial unions, including powerhouse sides such as Canterbury, Auckland, Wellington, Waikato and Tasman, as well as smaller but passionate provinces like Hawke’s Bay, Northland and Southland. The NPC season runs annually from August to October, with teams playing a round-robin schedule followed by semi-finals and a grand final. Points are awarded for wins, draws and bonus performances, mirroring the format used in international competitions.
Beyond the results, the NPC plays a vital role in New Zealand’s rugby ecosystem, offering young players a pathway to Super Rugby contracts and national selection. It also maintains deep local pride, with provincial rivalries and community support forming the heartbeat of New Zealand rugby culture. Despite evolving over the years - including shifts in structure and sponsorship - the NPC continues to deliver high-quality rugby and remains a cornerstone of the nation’s sporting identity.
Rugby Union Live Streaming
Stan Sport and Channel 9 have the broadcast rights for all Rugby Union in Australia.
Additionally, some online bookmakers like bet365 offer live streaming of Rugby Union games for registered and depositing users.
In order to watch and bet on Rugby Union with bet365, follow the brief guide below:
- Log in or create a bet365 account.
- Head to Live Streaming > Rugby Union
- Choose your competition and match.
- Stream the action live while placing your bets.
Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access.
To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Note, under Australian law, Live Streaming on bet365 is exempt from Parts 3 and 4 of the Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018.
Rugby Union Fixtures
The Rugby Union fixtures are released prior to the commencement of a new season.
Whether it's the Super Rugby club tournament played between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa or the World Cup which is played every four years, the fixtures are published well in advance of the tournaments kicking off.
Rugby Union Social Media
Rugby Union Latest News
Head over to the official Rugby Union global website to get all of the latest breaking news, fixtures schedule, results, player features and more.
