2008 NRL Rugby League

Home : Rugby League : NRL

The National Rugby League (NRL) is Australia and New Zealand’s primary rugby league. The league was formed in 1998 when the Australian Rugby League and the Super League merged. It currently consists of 16 teams.

NRL Rugby League Betting Odds - Click Here

Seven clubs have won the championship in the nine seasons that the NRL has been in operation. They include the Brisbane Broncos, the Bulldogs, Melbourne Storm, Newcastle Knights, Penrith Panthers, Sydney Roosters and West Tigers. The Broncos have captured the title three times.

Other teams in the NRL are Canberra Raiders, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Gold Coast Titans, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, New Zealand Warriors, North Queensland Cowboys, Parramatta Eels, St. George-Illawarra Dragons, and South Sydney Robbitohs.

In 1997 there were 22 teams playing in the ARL and the Super League and some of the teams were having financial difficulties because crowd attendances and corporate sponsorships were spread thin. Later that year, the ARL formed the National Rugby League and invited Super League clubs to participate.

The 1998 season had 20 teams competing, 19 from the ARL/Super League and a new team, the Melbourne Storm, which was formed that year. Because some teams folded and some combined, only 14 teams competed in 2000.

Australia’s largest telecommunications provider, Telstar, became naming rights sponsor in 2001 and the competition has been known as the NRL Telstar Premiership since then.

When the 2007 season kicks off in March, the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney, both foundation clubs, will celebrate their 100th season in the rugby league.

Latest NRL Rugby League Betting Odds

NRL: Rugby League Betting NRL - Rugby League Odds Plus: Fantastic Free Money Bonus offers for all new members!