National Museum of Australia - 100 years of the game

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.

Many of these photographs are also on show in the League of Legends travelling photographic exhibition.

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Photo of members of the 1948 Kangaroos sharing a drink with French fans

Courtesy New South Wales Rugby League.

Members of the 1948 Kangaroos, including Norman Hawke, Jack Holland, Len Pegg and Jack Rayner, share a drink with French fans. The Kangaroos won nine of the ten games they played in France that year.

1949: After the war

Photo of 1949 interstate match between Queensland and New South Wales

Courtesy Edmond Scott

Interstate matches were suspended during the Second World War, but the traditional rivalry was quick to resume. In this 1949 interstate clash in Brisbane, Queensland's Bill Callinan manages to evade the clutches of New South Wales winger Ron Roberts. New South Wales eventually prevailed, winning 40-12.

1951: Australia versus France

Photo of 1951 Test match between Australia and France. Frenchman Puig Aubert and Australia's Clive Churchill plead their cases while Referee Tom McMahon takes the linesman's report

Courtesy Edmond Scott.

Tempers flare during Australia's 23-11 win in the second Test against the 1951 Frenchmen. Referee Tom McMahon takes a linesman's report while Puig Aubert (France) and Clive Churchill (Australia) plead their cases.

1952: Headingley

Photo of Australian captain Clive Churchill and Great Britain's Willie Horne leading their teams onto the field at Headingly, Leeds for the first Test match of the 1952 series.

Photo: Newspix/News Limited.

Australian captain Clive Churchill and Britain's Willie Horne lead their teams onto the field at Headingley, Leeds, for the first Test of the 1952 series. Great Britain won the match 19-6 and reclaimed the Ashes with a 2-1 series win.

1955: Mighty Rabbitohs

Photo of South Sydney Rabbitohs 1955 premiership team

Courtesy Melba Studios.

The term 'miracle' has been used to describe South Sydney's sterling effort to take the 1955 premiership. The team had to win 11 matches in a row to claim the title. In the grand final, Souths defeated Newtown by one point, winning 12-11.

1957: Kangaroos win the World Cup

Photo of officials from participating countries lined up to make presentations to Australia's victorious 1957 World Cup side.

Courtesy Melba Studios.

Officials from participating countries line up to make presentations to Australia's victorious 1957 World Cup side. With Dick Poole as captain-coach, the Australian side dominated the competition.

100 years of the game

100 years of the game

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1948: Ambassadors for the game

1949: After the war

1951: Australia versus France

1952: Headingley

1955: Mighty Rabbitohs

1957: Kangaroos win the World Cup