Super Rugby is the premier professional rugby men’s rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere. The competition dates from 1996, when twelve teams from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa were included.

In 2012 it was announced that the format of Super Rugby would be changed, and franchises from Argentina and Japan would be invited to join the competition. In 2016 the competition included a team each from South America and Japan, and comprises eighteen teams.

This was also the year Rugby Sevens was included in the Olympics, which sparked an increased interest in the game around the world. Australian sports analysts noted that the inclusion of Japanese and South American teams could result in a television deal worth millions, a deal comparable to that of other major sports in Australia.

Certainly, since 2006, matches were being broadcast in most countries of the world.

It was also decided that the structure of the competition was ideally based for expanding to new territories, either by adding new conferences or by adding new teams to the current conferences. There is also the possibility of off shore Super Rugby teams could be a home for surplus players from the Southern Hemisphere countries, keeping them away from the European clubs.

New Zealand Teams Have the Most Wins

Placing a wager on the outcome of the matches has also increased tremendously, and Super Rugby betting odds can vary greatly. When choosing an online betting site, or a top quality sports book, try to find out the Super Rugby NZ betting odds that are offered.

The top sportsbooks will also offer a variety of bonuses and promotions you can take advantage of, as well as some tips and hints on the teams and the players.

Teams from New Zealand have always done well in this competition, and teams from that country have won the competition fourteen times, more than any other country. The Crusaders have been the most successful team, having won seven times.

The teams from New Zealand carry the shortest Super Rugby betting odds, with some teams from South Africa also having short Super Rugby betting odds. The Sunwolves from Japan and the Kings from South Africa have the longest odds.

Separate Conferences

Since 2011 South Africa, Australia and New Zealand have played in separate conferences. Since the 2016 inclusion of teams from Japan and South America, teams have played in four separate conferences. New Zealand and Australian conferences are in the Australasian Group, while there are two African Groups including the two new teams. The winners of each conference qualify for hosting the quarter finals.

It is worth noting when placing Super Rugby bets and checking on Super Rugby betting odds, that the five Australian teams have a salary cap, and many people regard this as factor in making it harder for new players to be recruited, and for Australian teams to win the competition.

The New Zealand teams also have a salary cap, but they have in addition a game changing broadcast deal. Broadcasters pay an enormous amount to own the New Zealand rights to Super Rugby. The provincial unions have also had their funding increased.

Rugby betting is certainly on the increase, especially in Super Rugby. This competition generates a huge amount of avid interest and excitement in the enormous number of rugby’s passionate fans.

When William Webb Ellis picked up a soccer ball and ran down the soccer field to score the first try, a momentous sport was born.