For some bettors, Rugby Union may seem like a game with few rules and where the main aim is to inflict copious amounts of pain on the opposition. While I guess elements of this are true, there is far more to it than that!

So what if you find yourself scrolling through your mobile sportsbook looking for somewhere to invest a few dollars and you stumble across Rugby; the game they play in heaven…apparently. 

Is it possible to strategically bet on this strange game Rugby? Well yes it is! 

Do you need to be a rugby connoisseur to successfully win a buck or two? Absolutely not!

In the next 5 minutes you will learn how to wager on one of Rugby’s most popular betting markets. The Moneyline. 

Before you start betting check out our sign up bonuses with PointsBet and UniBet. Kick off your rugby betting experience with a few free swings!

What is the Rugby Moneyline?

Just like mainstream US sports the Rugby Moneyline market deals with the outright winner of the game. That is, the team that wins. Simple. Well sort of. Here are a few things you need to know.

The Odds

At any US sportsbook you will be dealing with American Odds. As is the case with American Odds the favorite’s odds will be displayed with a minus in front (eg -150) and the underdog will be ‘plus money’ so their odds will have a plus sign in front (eg + 150). For more on what these numbers actually mean check out our article on reading sports odds. 

The Scoring

In order to successfully bet the moneyline you need to understand basic rugby scoring. After all the team with the most points at the end of the game wins. Nothing new there!

Here is a breakdown of how points are scored:

Mode of Scoring	Points Value	What actually is it?
Try	5	A player places the ball with downward pressure in the in goal area (end zone).
Try Conversion	2	After a try the kicker successfully kicks the ball between the posts (above the crossbar) from a position in line with where the try was scored. Therefore a converted try is worth 7 points total.
Penalty Goal	3	After a penalty is awarded to a team they have the option of taking a shot for goal from the exact position of the foul.  If the kick passes between the posts and above the crossbar it is successful.
Field Goal	3	In general play a player successfully drop kicks the ball from an onside position and it passes between the posts and above the crossbar.

As can be seen in the table scores jump in multiples of 3, 5 and 7. A two score lead is any lead above 7 points. A lead of more than 14 points is a commanding position. 

A close game would be any margin of 7 or less points. 

It is important to note that a penalty goal is a long range scoring method. It is possible for kickers to land a penalty goal from halfway or even at times just inside their own half. With them being worth 3 points it does happen that teams win games even though they scored less tries. 

Is Overtime Played in Rugby?

Sometimes overtime is played and sometimes it isn’t! You need to be aware of when it will be played because it directly affects moneyline betting. 

In rugby, overtime is called ‘extra time’. It is a period of time played after the end of regulation time that is used to decide the winner. It is typically only ever played in rugby during the knockout stages of tournament play or during playoffs (finals). 

Regular season domestic rugby games and regular international rugby games (called test matches) DO NOT include overtime.  

If extra time or overtime is played then it will be included in the Rugby moneyline bet. If extra time is not played, and scores are level at full time, then the moneyline winner will be decided through the use of the dead heat rule. Bettors will receive half odds.

The caveat to this being that the dead heat rule will not be applied if the sportsbook offered a draw or tie in the original market. In this case you would need to have actually bet the tie to receive a payout. Look out for that!

So Should You Bet the Rugby Moneyline Underdog?

Well this really is up to you, but here are a few things you need to know when deciding if an underdog is a worthwhile bet.

Rugby is a physical game and defense is a critical factor in deciding the winner. A team that is less talented on paper but shows more resolve in defense will often win the game. The brutal nature of the tackling means that a team that is just a few percent off their game will get rolled. 

If you like the prospects of your team defensively, that is, you have checked their recent defensive record or their overall ‘points against’ and liked what you saw statistically then why not take a punt on them.

Another sneaky moneyline strategy is to look for a team that has a dependable goal kicker. A kicker can be a weapon as the score from long range and even without territorial dominance a team can still hit the scoreboard. 

If you want a full list of rock solid Rugby wagering strategies you need to check out our comprehensive article. It will pay dividends!. 

One More Thing You Need to Know About Rugby Moneyline Betting!

There is a big difference between international rugby and domestic rugby. International rugby is all about pride and winning ugly is just as good as winning in style. Much like international soccer, international rugby can be a dour and grind it out type affair. Not always but often.

Domestic rugby is different. Most domestic rugby competitions reward teams for playing attacking running rugby. Teams that score four tries in a game are awarded bonus points in the overall standings. Teams that win by more than 7 points are awarded another bonus point. 

For this reason teams will play high risk rugby. Great for entertainment but sometimes risky for moneyline bettors. Keep it in mind!

Before you start betting check out our sign up bonuses with PointsBet and UniBet. Kick off your rugby betting experience with a few free swings!

The Game Starts Now!

Rugby is an awesome game to watch and wager on. For those of you in the United States, it is shown regularly across many of the sports networks and is often on live early on Saturday and Sunday mornings. It’s one way to make your morning coffee far more entertaining!

Good luck and as always gamble responsibly!