The game begins: The rugby league in Australia

The rugby league in Australia started as a rebel action against the New South Wales Rugby Union. Now, it has become one of the most popular sports in the country. This fast-moving game has become a passionate sport for its fans. Back in the 1890s, clashes between colonial sides attracted fans prepared to see their sporting heroes. At the beginning of the following century, players started to call for payments for lost time at work and insurance for injuries. That’s when the changes began to happen.

The game begins

In 1907, union players and fans met at the Batemant’s Hotel in Sydney to discuss the creation of the New South Wales Rugby Football League. The main feature was that players would get paid for every game. They adopted the playing rules of the rebel Northside, and the new competition fully started in Australia in 1908.

Early supporters

James J Giltinan, a Sydney entrepreneur, was a key proponent of the new code of rugby. He became the first secretary of the new league and underwrote the 1908 tour of England of the Kangaroos.

Victor Trumper, a renowned cricket player, was a passionate supporter of the early days of rugby. Players who started the leagues were reassured by his involvement in the game.

Henry Hoyle was another critical character to champion rugby league. He was a Labor politician that helped come up with the rhetoric to justify the split from rugby union.

The master: Dally Messenger

The star of New South Wales, Herbert Henry “Dally” Messenger, became crucial in making the sport the most popular in Australia. His defection provided credibility to the new code, and he quickly emerged as the first superstar in the league. He started in the Eastern Suburbs Rugby Union Club in 1905, with a rare talent that attracted many fans. In 1906, he played for New South Wales, and by 1907, he became a member of the Australian representative rugby union team, the Wallabies. In late 1907, he switched from rugby union to rugby league under the influence of JJ Giltinan and Victor Trumper and he later joined the Eastern Suburbs Rugby League Football Club. He also represented New South Wales and Australia in international games.

Test football pioneers

After the 1908 season ended, the first Australian representative rugby league sailed to England. The Kangaroos struggled during this tour, losing 22 out of 45 matches. The tour failed financially, and the return passage had to be paid for by the Northern Union.

Finally, in 1909, the two rugby codes had their biggest clash. In a series of 4 matches, the Wallabies and Kangaroos finished with two wins each. However, the rugby league was the winner, as most of the Wallabies players defected to the league, providing the new code with outstanding talent.

Australia Visitor Visa

If you want to learn more about this passionate sport, you should visit Australia soon! To do so, you will need the [Australia Visitor Visa] for a smooth entry. The good news is that [iVisa] can help you with the digital application and provide you with the electronic document in no time. Just complete an online form and you will receive an email with this travel document. Show it upon arrival and enjoy Australia!