The Game's Origin - Part 3

The tour of by a New Zealand team of Britain in 1908 had caught the imagination in Australasia. The game was established in New Zealand but many in the country wanted Rugby Union to be the oval ball code so rugby league has always had an uphill battle to be accepted. It is strong in some places such as Auckland but otherwise variable in popularity.

Australia had a different situation. There was strong negativity that the Rugby Union was gaining financially but that wasn't trickling down to the players. Compensation for injured players unable to work was sought but not forthcoming. Due to this, clubs broke away from Rugby Union and the new code was introduced to Sydney and Newcastle, Australia. In Queensland, Australia a club competition was formed in 1909, albeit on a limited scale initially.

The game arrived in France in 1934 and immediately had success. The English Rugby Union alleged professionalism in the French game and France was at the time excluded from the European championship. This chism heled Rugby League in France and by 1939, there were over 200 rugby league clubs. France even defeated England and Wales to be crowned champions of Europe.

Unfortunately, when the Nazi invasion took place, the cordial relations between England and France in Rugby League was painted by the Rugby Union code in a negative light to the Vichy government. That led to the game being liquidated along with all assets.

Rugby League started to rebuild itself after the war but never again hit those pre-war heights of popularity. Rugby League in France has never been compensated in any way for its losses. (For the book The Forbidden Game, try this link).

A world cup competition started in 1954 and four nations played in that tournament. The problem was the game had no international federation that could spread the word. It relied on the code being randomly picked up by local people and running with it. The professional competitions in England and Australia looked after themselves so little changed for decades.

Rugby Union was a thorn in the side of expansion also. In the 1950's, the game was growing in South Africa, but Rugby Union used its influence with all sorts of dirty tricks to stifle it, which unfortunately worked. I know in New Zealand, any promising young rugby league players were pressured to play for the school union team. Most yielded and often remained in that code. Boys who insisted on playing league for a local club were given a hard time.

Still, Rugby League's lack of a FIFA type organisation was the main reason for the lack of expansion. Certainly the product was good enough. Was the game to languish as a small sport played in four countries? No, as the next in the series will reveal.

Part 4 can be read by clicking here.
For Part 1: Click here.