CALENDARSHOPABOUT US
HOMEVISITCOLLECTIONSEXHIBITIONSWHATS ONRESEARCHKIDSEDUCATIONSearch
exhibitions

100 years of the game

 

Rugby league in Australia started as a rebel football competition established in defiance of the New South Wales Rugby Union. With its mix of hardness and athleticism, it has grown to become one of the most popular of Australian sports, a skilful fast-moving game that has the passionate support of its fans.

Here, relive some of the key moments and memorabilia, with photographs which bear testament to the great teams and personalities of the past.

< Previous l Next >

> Return to League of Legends homepage



PreviousThumbnail of 1957 grand final match between St George and ManlyThumbnail of World cup match between Australia and Great BritainThumbnail of match between St George and Great Britain in 1962Thumnail of St George player Brian 'Poppa' ClayThumbnail of 1963 grand final match between Western Suburbs and St GeorgeThumbnail of Johnny RaperNext

1964: Chook Raper

Photo of St George and Australian lock Johnny 'Chook' Raper wearing a suit and hat holding a pipe

Photo: Newspix/News Limited.

St George and Australian lock Johnny 'Chook' Raper cuts a picture of sartorial elegance in 1964. Apart from his unquestioned talent on the field, Raper was one of the first players accorded pop star status in the wider community.