There is never a lack of sporting events to keep you entertained. All through the year there are tournaments and competitions to keep you on your toes. If you are a fan of rugby, there’s no doubt you’ll have heard of the Betfred Super League – also known as Super League Europe. But if you are not aware and would like to get involved, look no further.
What is the Super League?
The original Rugby League came into fruition all the way back in 1895 at the George Hotel in Huddersfield. This was originally called the ‘Northern Union’ as the rugby clubs wanted compensation for players who were injured or took time off work to compete in the tournaments. This was at a time when rugby was played by working class people and didn’t have the celebrity element that we’re used to today.
But by the time the 90s came around, it was time to shake things up a little. The Rugby Super League was created way back in 1996 to replace the First Division. The idea was that there would be a new style of competition to add into the mix and give the game a revamp.
The first ever season saw the following clubs compete: Bradford Bulls, Castleford Tigers, Halifax, Leeds Rhinos, London Broncos, Sheffield Eagles, St Helens, Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors and Workington Town. The winners of the first ever Super League were the Workington Town who are still around all these years later.
There have been many incredible rugby moments over the years of the Super League. Who could forget the long-range drop goal by Jacob Miller back in 2016? Or Wigan Warriors winning the first Super League Grand Final against the Leeds Rhinos in 1998? With so many iconic moments, we can expect great things from the players this year.
Who won the Super League last year?
The winners of the Super League in 2021 were St Helens R.F.C by beating Catalans Dragons by the skin of their teeth at 12-10. The final was played at the prestigious Old Trafford Centre in October last year and was a nailbiter from start to finish.
This win was monumental for the St Helens team, especially as they are one of the 22 original teams from the Northern Rugby Football Union mentioned earlier. The club dates all the way back to 1873 so having another win under their belt only adds to their rich history. They’ve now been league champions a total of 16 times.
Who’s the favourite to win Super League this year?
This year, the Super League competition is hotter than ever. At the current state of play, it’s looking like St Helens could claim the title for the second year in a row! They currently have odds of 11/10 to win the title but there are teams close up behind them.
Wigan Warriors who last won a championship back in 2018, have current odds of 5/2 to win. This would be their 23rd championship win to date and would be a great achievement for this club.
The Catalans Dragons who narrowly missed out on a win last year are hot on the heels of the two former clubs. Given their narrow defeat last year, this team will undoubtedly be hungry for the win. And as we well know, the taste of a loss only makes a team hungrier for success! Their odds to win are currently at 13/2 so they have a little bit of work to do to prove themselves.
And last in the top five of teams currently in the lineup for the win are the Leeds Rhinos. This is another prestigious team who would do anything to get their hands on that title. Their odds are currently at 12/1 for the win – let’s see if they can do it.
As online gambling becomes a popular activity, many sporting fans will be looking to place a bet at one of the many gambling providers available in the UK. As we know, odds are constantly changing. With any sport, you should always expect the unexpected and you never know who might pull it out the bag at the last moment. It can all change in the blink of an eye so make sure you’re keeping up to date with who’s winning what and who’s odds are improving.
How to join in the Super League fun
There are plenty of ways to get in on the Super League action. Why not get a group of mates together and have a watching party? There’s nothing like watching sports with your friends over a couple of drinks.
Of course, ideally, you’d all be at the game itself but tickets can be difficult to come by. A watching party is the best of both worlds. You get to watch along with your friends but you don’t have to fork out a small fortune to get there. Make sure the fridge is fully stocked, maybe get a BBQ going and you’ve got a great sporting event!
And if you’re looking to spice up the action even more, why not put a bet on as well? This way you can get even more involved in the game and maybe even bag a win for yourself! A bit of friendly competition never hurt anybody!
