There is little in the sporting world that gets the blood pumping more than the NRL. The top players in New Zealand and Australia and some bitter rivalries make for exciting action. If you have not yet watched this rugby league competition, keep reading. We have all you need to know about the NRL odds and the best teams in the country.
What is the NRL?
The NRL (National Rugby League) is a competition with a league ladder followed by playoffs. Starting in 1998, it contains 17 teams from New Zealand and Australia – 16 from Australia, with just the New Zealand Warriors representing New Zealand. The 2023 season runs from the 2nd of March to the 1st of October.
The Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs are the oldest rugby league sides in the country. Both were established in 1908. The Rabbitohs were the most successful in the NRL’s predecessor, the NSWRFL. The Canterbury Bulldogs are the third oldest, set up in 1935.
NRL Odds & Betting
Rugby League can be an excellent betting proposition. To bet on it, you need to know the formats of NRL odds and what they mean. Let’s break it down into a couple of simple sections.
🏉 What are outright odds?
Outright odds are those to win a championship. Those looking to back the overall winner will be after NRL odds that are outright. These can be backed win only or each way. Often bookmakers offer each-way odds, meaning placed teams can still score a return on bets. These can only be found on outright markets. You can find odds as decimal (5.0) or fractional (4/1), depending on where you look for NRL odds.
🏉 Which betting markets are available in rugby league?
As well as being able to bet outright at the start of a season, punters can bet game by game. There is a wealth of markets available for placing bets on each match. The most simple is the match-winner market. Here you are placing bets on who you think will win the game.
Odds can be limited on match-winner markets, however. This is why handicap markets are popular. A points start given to the underdog helps to level the playing field. It also makes the better team a more backable price.
If you are a fan of a specific player, the try scorer market might be your thing. You can find NRL odds on a player to score a try in a match. Those who watch a lot of games can develop a good feel for this bet. Knowing a player’s strengths versus an opposing team’s weaknesses is a great way to land these bets.
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NRL 2023: The Main Contenders
The season is well underway, and the ladder is starting to take shape. Let’s look at the leading players in the rugby league competition and answer the all-important question when looking for a bet. Which teams are most likely to win the NRL in 2023?
Penrith Panthers
The Panthers have the shortest NRL odds at the time of writing. The 2021 and 2022
champions have built their 2023 campaign on the back of intense defensive work. They are a tough match for any team in the country, a side others fear.
Manly Sea Eagles
Penrith Panthers
Gold Coast Titans
Penrith Panthers
Penrith Panthers
Parramatta Eels
Penrith Panthers
North Queensland Cowboys
Brisbane Broncos
In contrast to most teams, the Broncos have excelled away from home – they are by far the top team in the NRL when on the road. An improvement in form on their own soil can see them in contention until the end of the season.
Brisbane Broncos
Parramatta Eels
Canberra Raiders
Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm
The perennial contenders are right in the mix once more this season. In contrast to the Broncos, they have done most of their damage at home. In Cameron Munster, they have one of the finest playmakers in the league. A proven game-changer, his influence can make the difference between winning the match or losing your bets.
Melbourne Storm
Canberra Raiders
St. George Illawarra Dragons
Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm
Gold Coast Titans
Brisbane Broncos
Melbourne Storm
New Zealand Warriors
The Warriors have yet to lift the NRL crown, and being the only team to represent their country, they have added pressure. Just one trip to the finals in the last 11 years, they are coming off their worst season last year.
However, there has been a resurgence under Andrew Webster. Twice an NRL winner as an assistant with the Panthers, his appointment was a signal of intent. The odds have been in their favour so far.
Wests Tigers
New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand Warriors
Manly Sea Eagles
New Zealand Warriors
St. George Illawarra Dragons
Dolphins
New Zealand Warriors
Cronulla Sharks
The Sharks have one of the easiest schedules this season. It is no surprise, then, that they are in title contention. They will be happy with their current position on the ladder, looking well-poised to strike. The more opportunities they can provide Nicho Hynes to kick goals, the better off they are.
Cronulla Sharks
Gold Coast Titans
North Queensland Cowboys
Cronulla Sharks
Newcastle Knights
Cronulla Sharks
Cronulla Sharks
Canberra Raiders
Conclusion
The NRL is a hugely popular competition. While the teams taking part are confined to Australia and New Zealand, the matches are watched worldwide. NRL odds are freely available as interest blossoms. With a growing number of participants in recent seasons, it would be no surprise to see the continued boom of rugby league in years to come.
FAQs
That is an important question for those looking to take some NRL odds. Things are very tight at the top at the time of writing, so we look set for a thrilling conclusion. The Penrith Panthers have been exceptional in defence, making them hard to beat.
They won the championship in 2021 and 2022. The hat trick looks well and truly on in 2023. As such, they would be the team to back at current NRL odds. In addition, the Sharks could be the answer for those looking for a bet at longer odds.
The Melbourne Storm and Sydney Roosters both have four titles since the league began in 1998. The Storm have been successful six times. Salary cap breaches saw them stripped of the NRL crown in both 2007 and 2009.
Considering the NSWRFL, the Rabbitohs have the most overall titles, with 21. This makes them the most successful side in the country.
