Iruni Kalupahana Jadetimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Australia
The Early Development of Rugby in Australia
Rugby was first introduced to Australia in the mid 19th century, and it soon gained popularity in the eastern coastal regions, particularly Sydney and Brisbane. The Southern Rugby Football Union, established in Sydney in 1874, signaled the beginning of rugby as an organized sport, with an initial five clubs. By 1900, rugby had grown significantly, with 79 clubs and both senior and junior competitions.
The establishment of the Metropolitan Rugby Union, later the New South Wales Rugby Union or NSWRU, in 1897 brought improved administration, including the inclusions of a district system that promoted local rivalries and increased spectator interest. Intercolonial matches between representative sides of New South Wales and New Zealand started in the 1880s, reflecting the game's increasing international popularity. Despite this growth, the popularity of rugby remained heavily concentrated in the major cities along the east coast, while Australian rules football became the dominant sport in other parts of the country.
The Shift to Rugby League
The transition of rugby union to rugby league in Australia was initiated with issues relating to the remuneration of players. In the early 1900s rugby union players who were injured at rugby and thus could not work began to experience financial hardship. In 1907 Alex Burdon, a Sydney player who earned his living as a barber, was injured in his shoulder and refused compensation by the NSWRU.
Meanwhile, the professional New Zealand All Golds were preparing to tour England to match up against Northern Union clubs. This led the Sydney based clubs to set up the New South Wales Rugby League, or NSWRL, on 8 August 1907. The NSWRL adopted as its rules the professional rules of the Northern Union and lured a number of working class players with its promise of better pay. In 1908, the first rugby league competition was staged in Sydney. In the same year, the newly formed Australian rugby league team played the first competitive match on home soil against the All Golds.
Rugby League's Growth and International Links
Within a few short years, rugby league popularity grew markedly following the formation of the code to become the dominant code throughout Australia's eastern states. The first Australian rugby league team toured Britain in 1908–09, showcasing the country's talent on the international stage and fostering ties between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. A second tour in 1911–12 further cemented these connections. Domestically, rugby league grew rapidly in cities like Sydney and Brisbane, becoming a central part of the working class culture.
Finally, it spread to regional towns, with local leagues and school competition nurturing grassroots participation. Rugby league's professional structure, along with its fast moving and spectator friendly style, helped it gain a far wider following. Nowadays, Rugby League is one of the most loved sports of Australia, with marquee events such as the State of Origin series and the National Rugby League grand final drawing millions of viewership every year.
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