Rugby Exclusive

Australian Rugby Betting – Rugby is a huge favourite for fans and punters alike, and is constantly ranked among the top 5 in the world’s top spectator sports. If you travel to a semi-major country, you can almost certainly find a rugby team. On the same note, there is no lack of sites that allow all these spectators to put their money at where their mouth is.

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If you are starting out and is just looking for something basic, easy to use, and accepts the US dollar and/or sterling, “http://www.bet365.com” is a good place to begin. It offers a 15% initial bonus and a live in play service that allows you to be updated in real time. The website is well designed, clutter free and will have you parting (or winning) with your money in no time.

If you are with a mate and wants to piggy back ride on his/her bet, try “http://www.victorchandler.co.uk” This site similar offers live updates and will match the value of your first bet with a free bet of up to £ 50 (or currency equivalent)

One of the main problems associated with online bookies is the odds that are offered. Well, the solution is on “http://www.betfair.com”, the unique thing about this website is it allows you to make or take your own odds, effectively allowing you take the bookie position. Of course, this will only work if someone is willing to take up your odds position.

Lastly, if you’re sick of taking sides, look to “http://www.coral.co.uk” that allows spread betting, which basically asks you to make a prediction about a certain aspect of a game, e.g. how many goals will be scored.

Australian Rugby Betting – Rugby is becoming an increasingly sport and is slowly but surely catching up with football, both in terms of viewer ship and betting volumes. A quick search on Google will come up with an exhaustive list of sites, some dodgy, while others like “http://www.sportingbet.com.au” are licensed and offer a secure and fun way to add an edge to watching the game.

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Other online betting sites that include rugby are also gaining popularity in the region. These include the publicly listed “http://www.centerbet.com/rugby-union-betting”. Centerbet has odds on all major competitions including the Rugby World Cup, Tri Nations and English Guinness Premiership.

Moving away from Australia, you will find an even wider source of providers in the UK. “http://www.bet365.com” will allow you to bet in your choice of currency, and like sportingbet, will forward a free signup bonus. Another popular site is “http://paddypower.com”, which is a well designed site offering odds on major rugby competitions as well.

If tradition is your cup of tea, William Hill (http://dgm2.com), a long standing British bookmaker that has been around and enjoys a good reputation with punters especially in the United Kingdom.

For those who are jittery about placing bets online, or have security concerns, Coral Eurobet (http://www.coral.co.uk) prides itself as a safe and secure online site with excellent customer service. Its webpage is also easy to navigate, and offers online gambling (e.g. poker) in addition to mainstream sports betting services.

Understandably, there are some out there who don’t approve of bookies, or the odds that are being given on the web. Bet Fair (http://www.qksrv.net) offers person to person rugby union betting, that allows you to take or make your own odds.

www.iasbet.com – Where and When: Saturday 8 November, Hisense Arena, 7.30pm (AEST)

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Past Three Head-to-Head
Gold Coast Blaze 90-107 South Dragons, Round 3 2008.
Gold Coast Blaze 127-116 South Dragons, Round 12 2007.
South Dragons 79-99 Gold Coast Blaze, Round 9 2007.

Season Series
Dragons 1-0

Current Standings
Dragons 8-2 (first), Blaze 1-10 (10th)

The Gold Coast will head into Saturday night’s clash against the top-of-the-table South Dragons with some confidence after finally breaking through for their first win of the season on Wednesday against the Townsville Crocodiles

Shane Heal was influential in his side’s win over the Crocodiles, dropping 26 points.

The 38-year-old will be keen to perform well once again against his old side and help keep the Blaze’s slim finals hopes alive.

It may be top versus bottom but the South Dragons are far from unbeatable.

The Dragons got out of jail against Sydney in round seven – they trailed early in the final term before Nathan Herbert sparked his team into action, scoring 13 of his 19 points in the last quarter to inspire his side to an 11-point win.

The last time these two sides met at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in round three, the Dragons had six players in double figures with Boomer Mark Worthington leading the way with 20 points.

Expect the Blaze to be more competitive now than they were earlier in the year against the ladder leaders given that they have finally gotten the monkey off their back but the Dragons have too many scoring options for Brendan Joyce’s men to contain.

The Gold Coast are certainly capable of causing an upset but the Dragons depth should prove to be the difference in what will be a closer contest than the ladder position of both sides suggests.

Money on a Dragons’ win by 1-10, offering $2.85 is worth a punt.

www.iasbet.com  – THE AFC Champions League received a huge boost on Tuesday with the prize money for next season’s revamped tournament massively increased to US$14 million

Asia’s top club competition will be expanded from 28 to 32 teams in 2009, but with stricter criteria for participation in an effort to raise standards.

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Mr Tokuaki Suzuki, deputy chief of the AFC’s Professional League Project, said the extra money on offer would provide clubs with motivation to meet the new requirements to compete.

‘The new budget means there is much, much more revenue for clubs participating in the tournament,’ Mr Suzuki said at an AFC managers seminar here.

‘This will give clubs the incentive to be more professional so they meet the requirements to take part in the competition.’

The total budget for 2009 is US$20 million, dwarfing the US$4.0 million available for this year’s event.

Of that, 70 per cent is dedicated to prize money and incentives, with the eventual winners taking home US$1.5 million plus bonuses from earlier rounds. A victory in the group stages will be worth US$40,000.

‘This means that even if a team cannot qualify for the round of 16, they still have an incentive to do well in the group matches,’ said Mr Suzuki.

The AFC is attempting to make football in the region more professional and has laid down tough new rules for entry into the 2009 Champions League.

Teams wishing to play have had to satisfy the governing body that they meet certain standards regarding team affairs, attendances, marketing, stadiums, and media arrangements.
So far only 11 countries have made the grade, with just one – Japan’s J-League – satisfying all criteria.