The Rise of Professional Rugby League in Australia
In early 1907, Australian rugby faced a seismic shift when news broke of a professional New Zealand All Blacks team set to tour Englands northern counties, where professional rugby had thrived for over a decade. The concept of professional rugby in Australia seemed unimaginable, yet within months, this notion transformed into reality. The professional All Blacks faced a hastily assembled New South Wales team, while the legendary Dally Messenger joined the New Zealand tour. By 1908, a professional league emerged in Sydney, featuring many teams that still compete in todays NRL. This compelling selection from the Sydney Morning Herald captures the intense...
010 - The NSW Rugby League The first season opens
In early 1907, Australian rugby faced a seismic shift when news broke of a professional New Zealand All Blacks team set to tour Englands northern counties, where professional rugby had thrived for over a decade. The concept of professional rugby in Australia seemed unimaginable, yet within months, this notion transformed into reality. The professional All Blacks faced a hastily assembled New South Wales team, while the legendary Dally Messenger joined the New Zealand tour. By 1908, a professional league emerged in Sydney, featuring many teams that still compete in todays NRL. This compelling selection from the Sydney Morning Herald captures the intense...
009 - Professionalism in Australian sport The debate goes on
In early 1907, Australian rugby faced a seismic shift when news broke of a professional New Zealand All Blacks team set to tour Englands northern counties, where professional rugby had thrived for over a decade. The concept of professional rugby in Australia seemed unimaginable, yet within months, this notion transformed into reality. The professional All Blacks faced a hastily assembled New South Wales team, while the legendary Dally Messenger joined the New Zealand tour. By 1908, a professional league emerged in Sydney, featuring many teams that still compete in todays NRL. This compelling selection from the Sydney Morning Herald captures the intense...
008 - New clubs formed
In early 1907, Australian rugby faced a seismic shift when news broke of a professional New Zealand All Blacks team set to tour Englands northern counties, where professional rugby had thrived for over a decade. The concept of professional rugby in Australia seemed unimaginable, yet within months, this notion transformed into reality. The professional All Blacks faced a hastily assembled New South Wales team, while the legendary Dally Messenger joined the New Zealand tour. By 1908, a professional league emerged in Sydney, featuring many teams that still compete in todays NRL. This compelling selection from the Sydney Morning Herald captures the intense...
007 - News from England The All Blacks tour
In early 1907, Australian rugby faced a seismic shift when news broke of a professional New Zealand All Blacks team set to tour Englands northern counties, where professional rugby had thrived for over a decade. The concept of professional rugby in Australia seemed unimaginable, yet within months, this notion transformed into reality. The professional All Blacks faced a hastily assembled New South Wales team, while the legendary Dally Messenger joined the New Zealand tour. By 1908, a professional league emerged in Sydney, featuring many teams that still compete in todays NRL. This compelling selection from the Sydney Morning Herald captures the intense...
006 - The 1907 season ends Rugby union in crisis
In early 1907, Australian rugby faced a seismic shift when news broke of a professional New Zealand All Blacks team set to tour Englands northern counties, where professional rugby had thrived for over a decade. The concept of professional rugby in Australia seemed unimaginable, yet within months, this notion transformed into reality. The professional All Blacks faced a hastily assembled New South Wales team, while the legendary Dally Messenger joined the New Zealand tour. By 1908, a professional league emerged in Sydney, featuring many teams that still compete in todays NRL. This compelling selection from the Sydney Morning Herald captures the intense...
005 - The first professional fixtures
In early 1907, Australian rugby faced a seismic shift when news broke of a professional New Zealand All Blacks team set to tour Englands northern counties, where professional rugby had thrived for over a decade. The concept of professional rugby in Australia seemed unimaginable, yet within months, this notion transformed into reality. The professional All Blacks faced a hastily assembled New South Wales team, while the legendary Dally Messenger joined the New Zealand tour. By 1908, a professional league emerged in Sydney, featuring many teams that still compete in todays NRL. This compelling selection from the Sydney Morning Herald captures the intense...
004 - The All Blacks arrive
In early 1907, Australian rugby faced a seismic shift when news broke of a professional New Zealand All Blacks team set to tour Englands northern counties, where professional rugby had thrived for over a decade. The concept of professional rugby in Australia seemed unimaginable, yet within months, this notion transformed into reality. The professional All Blacks faced a hastily assembled New South Wales team, while the legendary Dally Messenger joined the New Zealand tour. By 1908, a professional league emerged in Sydney, featuring many teams that still compete in todays NRL. This compelling selection from the Sydney Morning Herald captures the intense...
003 - Foundation of the NSW Rugby League
In early 1907, Australian rugby faced a seismic shift when news broke of a professional New Zealand All Blacks team set to tour Englands northern counties, where professional rugby had thrived for over a decade. The concept of professional rugby in Australia seemed unimaginable, yet within months, this notion transformed into reality. The professional All Blacks faced a hastily assembled New South Wales team, while the legendary Dally Messenger joined the New Zealand tour. By 1908, a professional league emerged in Sydney, featuring many teams that still compete in todays NRL. This compelling selection from the Sydney Morning Herald captures the intense...
002 - A wave of discontent
In early 1907, Australian rugby faced a seismic shift when news broke of a professional New Zealand All Blacks team set to tour Englands northern counties, where professional rugby had thrived for over a decade. The concept of professional rugby in Australia seemed unimaginable, yet within months, this notion transformed into reality. The professional All Blacks faced a hastily assembled New South Wales team, while the legendary Dally Messenger joined the New Zealand tour. By 1908, a professional league emerged in Sydney, featuring many teams that still compete in todays NRL. This compelling selection from the Sydney Morning Herald captures the intense...
001 - A professional All Blacks team to visit the northern counties of England
In early 1907, Australian rugby faced a seismic shift when news broke of a professional New Zealand All Blacks team set to tour Englands northern counties, where professional rugby had thrived for over a decade. The concept of professional rugby in Australia seemed unimaginable, yet within months, this notion transformed into reality. The professional All Blacks faced a hastily assembled New South Wales team, while the legendary Dally Messenger joined the New Zealand tour. By 1908, a professional league emerged in Sydney, featuring many teams that still compete in todays NRL. This compelling selection from the Sydney Morning Herald captures the intense...
