Best international games of 2016

The year after a Rugby World Cup can typically be a downer, especially after the Six Nations concludes every spring.

But the rest of 2016’s international rugby calendar is still packed with plenty of exciting tests, tours, and tournament qualification matches. And for punters, there’s no better time than now to start scouting and planning for who to bet on in the next Rugby (Union) World Cup. The Rugby League World Cup is also next year and will offer plenty of opportunities to scratch that rugby betting itch as well.

Betting on rugby has been highly popular with the fans, with these big games arriving this year there is no doubt that the fans will be backing their nation with a cheeky bet. If you are new to this and want to know what the hype is about, this sports betting page from OnlineGambling.com will give you the best reviews of online sportsbook’s and how you can enjoy easy, safe and fun sports betting.

Below are five of the best international rugby games of 2016 (union and league) fans and bettors won’t want to miss. 

May 29: England vs. Wales

No matter the stakes, England versus Wales is appointment TV. Rugby’s fiercest rivalry is renewed again in late May, this time for a one-off test match before Wales travels to New Zealand for a summer-test series.

Wales and England kick off their summer each seeking revenge for tough losses in recent major tournaments

The matchup comes just less than three months after a 25-21 English victory in the Six Nations effectively declared England as champions and Wales as runner-up. The Welsh are expected to be without captain Sam Warburton for the match, who was pivotal in Wales’ dramatic comeback victory over the English in the 2015 World Cup.

June 4: Uruguay vs. Argentina

Argentina has long-dominated South American rugby, winning their division at the South American Rugby Championships every time they’ve participated. However, with rugby experiencing an unprecedented period of worldwide growth, more parity may be on its way to the continent.

While Argentina may not be in danger of losing the competition, this match against three-time World Cup qualifiers Uruguay could still serve as a great preview at what could be the South American nation most likely to eventually challenge Los Pumas’ reign.

August 20 and 27: New Zealand vs. Australia

The two finalists of the 2015 Rugby World Cup will meet in twice in seven days for the first two rounds of the 2016 Rugby Championship. The sixth edition of the Southern Hemisphere-only competition will mark the return of the 6-round format after scheduling conflicts with last year’s World Cup.

The 2016 Rugby Championship may effectively be decided over the course of seven days by two Australia-New Zealand clashes.

While Argentina and South Africa certainly aren’t pushovers, the Rugby Championship as usual will likely have to go through New Zealand or Australia, winners of 10 of the last 11 tournaments (granted Argentina didn’t join the fray until 2012). These first two rounds, played in Sydney and then Wellington, will likely have a large influence on who is crowned king in October. It will be the first time the two nations have met since the World Cup Final.

November 4: 2017 Rugby League World Cup Qualification Playoff (Europe)

Except for three European spots, the field is set for next year’s Rugby League World Cup. Vying for those precious positions are six countries split into two groups. The winner of each of these groups will each be given a spot, with the third and final going to the winner of a single match on November 4 between each group’s second place teams.

Group A features Wales and Italy (both looking to qualify for the second straight time) along with Serbia (looking for their first tournament appearance). In Group B, Spain will also be trying to qualify for the first time, but will have the chore of trying to do it against Russia and Ireland.

The decisive match between the runner-ups will take place in Leigh, England, almost exactly a year away from 2017’s World Cup being hosted by Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. 

November 12: Scotland vs. Australia

Australia’s tour this fall will take them many places, perhaps none more intriguing than Edinburgh to take on a Scottish side wanting revenge. This will be the first meeting between the two nations met in the quarterfinals of the 2015 World Cup for what would become one of the most dramatic games of the competition.

Australia’s Bernard Foley crushed the heart of all of Scotland with a late penalty kick in the 2015 World Cup.

Scotland hung with and frustrated Australia for most of the match, taking a 34-32 lead in the final minutes of the game. However, a controversial penalty kick was awarded to Australia for offside in open-play, and Aussie fly-half Bernard Foley would make the penalty in the final seconds for a 35-34 win.