If someone told you that France once dominated international rugby league, you would probably laugh. But for more than a decade after World War II, France did dominate international rugby league. But there were some dark forces at play, which attacked the foundations of the game – eventually leading to a massive decline. Can Rugby…
Month: January 2021
Episode 3 – The History of Sydney Second Division
Grand Final Day 2019 and we witnessed a classic game of Rugby League between the Newtown Jets and the Burleigh Bears. It was a match to decide the Australian State Champions. But the genesis of this ‘new’ competition had its beginnings back in 1963, when the NSWRL established what was called the Inter District Club….
Episode 2 – The Super League War
It was the most divisive period in Rugby League’s history. Fans, players, officials and clubs turned on each other and behind the scenes, the Packers took on the Murdochs. For most people, hostilities began on April 1st 1995, but the truth is that the divisions had begun many years before. A so-called ‘peace’ was reached…
Episode 1 – The 1970 Ashes Tour of Australia
The 1970s Ashes series is widely regarded as one of the greatest in the competition’s 112 year history. The Lions, captained by Frank Myler, included a number of the game’s great players, including Cliff Watson, Malcolm Reilly and Roger Millward. The Australian team included Graeme Langlands, Arthur Beetson and Bob Fulton, who made his Test…