Rugby ranks as one of the most popular sports globally and currently boasts more than 400 million fans. This growth owes to many reasons, including its competitiveness, thriving community, exciting tournaments, and impressive game strategies. The ability to bet on teams has also contributed to this growth, especially in countries like Serbia, where reputable bookies like Bet365 have been offering outstanding odds on the games. Furthermore, with nations such as Serbia also stepping up and hosting tournaments, the rugby fanbase has been on the up and up. We look at the Rugby Super League and what fans can expect this year:
What’s Cooking in The Super League?
Rugby is a competitive sport, more so in tournaments like The Super League. This competition, often called the Super League Europe or Betfred Super League, features the best rugby teams in British rugby. It comprises twelve teams that fight for the top win each season.
The league format is easy to follow as all teams play 27 games, 11 on their home grounds and 11 away, creating the perfect balance through which their skills can be put to the test. In addition to these games, teams must also play four loop fixtures based on their league positions, after which the top six enter the play-off series, where they prepare for the Grand Final.
But what’s up for grabs at the end of the matches? The champions get to play against the Australian National Rugby League Champions. Thus, the team that clinches the top position gets an even bigger audience. In 2024, the stakes are quite high as the following teams seem to have the upper hand:
Wigan Warriors
Winning the Super League is an impressive achievement. But it also pressures the defending champions to keep up their winning streak and avoid losing to other teams. And in 2024, all eyes are on the Warriors as fans try to gauge if they have what it takes to defend their win.
This team is not new to the limelight, as it has won the following titles:
- 1998,
- 2010,
- 2013,
- 2016,
- 2018, and
- 2023.
What’s in their favour this time around?
- An amazing lineup: Despite winning last season, the team has continued improving. It now boasts new additions in its forward lineup, which will help them pile on the pressure during games. The other teams will now face people like Luke Thompson, Adam Keighran, Sam Walters and Kruise Leeming.
- A winning culture: This team is not new to wins and will likely ride their last victory’s high during this season.
To add to these, the team has started the new season on a high note, having won its first match and thus has two points, the highest possible score at this stage. As such, most bookies already have their odds showing this team as the likely favourite.
St Helens
This team has a rich Super League history and has always given the others a run for their money. It is thus unsurprising that bookies have been swaying odds in its favour. After all, it has clinched the wins below:
- 1996,
- 1999,
- 2000,
- 2002,
- 2006,
- 2014,
- 2019,
- 2020,
- 2021, and
- 2022.
Wigan Warriors managed to break the team’s winning streak in 2023, but St Helens has kept this disruption from breaking their momentum. But what will work to their advantage?
- Team continuity: Most teams have a high turnover and often see new players coming and going. But not this team. Its stars commit to the team, and even if they need to leave, their spots usually go to the young talent, which aligns with their commitment to pull together for each other.
- Homegrown talent: The team relies on its academy to fill in the empty slots created when senior players must leave. Take the example of Welsby, who has wowed many with his skills.
Once you add the team’s impeccable management and its previous wins, envisioning its win becomes easy.
Leeds Rhinos
With one match down, this team has bagged a win, proving that they are in this season to win it. And that would not come as a surprise as the team has won the following past seasons:
- 2004,
- 2007,
- 2008,
- 2009,
- 2011,
- 2012,
- 2015, and
- 2017.
In 2022, the team won runners-up, as it had 11 other times since the Super League started. So, what makes this their likely winning year? The team has invested in notable players like Paul Momirovski, Lachie Miller, and Andy Ackers, whose skills will be an upgrade. Add the hands-on training from Rohan Smith, and they are set to give the other teams a hard time.
The Verdict
Based on past patterns and current standings, the win will likely go to the Saints or the Warriors. Of course, teams like Warrington Wolves, Catalans Dragons, and Bradford Bulls also have the chance to clinch the win if they strategise well enough to beat the strong contenders. It’s still too early to call the matches, and punters should invest enough time analysing the available data to formulate predictions that will come to fruition. But no matter which way the wind blows, it’s safe to say that this will be an exciting season!