2015 NRL Betting

After the Auckland Nines, Rugby League All Stars Match and 2015 World Club Series things get real and NRL betting opportunities await ahead of what promises to be another action packed season.

North Queensland Cowboys’ maiden trophy success in the 2014 Auckland Nines resulted in a creditable fifth placed regular season finish, four points behind Minor Premiers Sydney Roosters who eventually knocked them out in the NRL Semi-Finals. Punters may therefore be able to use the Aukland Nines as a measure of how teams are doing ahead of the NRL season and anyone doing well in New Zealand is likely to make a decent start to the campaign.

 
Regular Season NRL Betting

Consistency is key to being top of the NRL ladder after 24 games and no team has been more consistent than Sydney Roosters in recent years. Chooks claimed back-to-back Minor Premiership titles in 2013 and 2014, with their latest success making them the all-time record holders with 18 titles. It’s no surprise to see Roosters at a short price the head of NRL betting in the Regular Season Only market, but a win is a win nonetheless and it could pay to keep faith with them in that market.

Those looking for an alternative to the Bondi Boys will no doubt be drawn to South Sydney Rabbitohs. Despite not topping the table since 1989, Souths have the second best Minor Premier tally with 17 wins and were just two points off the pace last year. They certainly have what it takes to top the ladder, but it’s a safe bet that plenty of punters have had their fingers burned in recent seasons and will be understandably dubious in backing them for the J. J. Giltinan Shield.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles missed out on their tenth Minor Premier title on points difference in 2014 and will be looking to see things out next time, while 2003 Minors Penrith Panthers could be about to kick on again in 2015 after finishing fourth.

Top Tryscorer NRL Betting

Paramatta Eels duo Jarryd Hayne and Semi Radradra topped the Tryscorer charts in 2014 with tallies of 20 and 19 respectively and with the former now retired, the latter is a prolific try-scoring winger who must be high on any punters list.

Alex Johnston crossed the line 17 times last term for Souths and is a viable alternative to Greg Inglis on that basis, while 2012 top-point scorer Jarrod Croker will be once again vital to Canberra Raiders and will be a popular selection after 18 tries last season.

Controversial NRL star Blake Ferguson will be chomping at the bit to get back into the action for Roosters, but may be a risky proposition if any off-field incidents hinder his game time and Brett Morris may therefore be a more compelling bet in his first season for Bulldogs.

NRL Finals Betting

After their Grand Final success last season, South Sydney Rabbitohs are understandably popular in NRL betting for the Provan-Summons trophy. The Bunnies were largely consistent and it would be a major shock if they didn’t make the last 8, while their appetite for a big game gives them an extra edge. History is also on their side, with 21 titles no team has won more NRL Premierships that Souths and they are expected to be there or thereabouts again in 2015.

Beaten Grand Finalists Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and their vanquished preliminary finals opponents Penrith Panthers make for interesting alternatives, but 2013 champions Sydney Roosters are another side with the pedigree to succeed and are expected to comfortably secure a finals berth.

Brisbane Broncos endured a poor showing in the elimination round last time against North Queensland Cowboys having only just scraped into the finals on points difference, so are perhaps best swerved here. Melbourne Storm were a far more convincing side in the regular season and will want to put a horror showing against Berries in the qualifying round well behind them. The 2012 Premiers may have slipped under the radar in NRL betting and could be the surprise package of 2015.