The Rugby Rebellion - The Divide of League and Union

August 24, 1907 - The day that changed the face of Australian Sport

It was the signing that gave birth to rugby league in Australia, but a new book claims that Dally Messenger's switch of codes in 1907 stopped Aussie rules becoming the main code in NSW and Queensland, and, ironically, ensured rugby union's survival.

Exactly 98 years to the day since that signature, a new book The Rugby Rebellion: The Divide of League and Union, written by Sydney author and sports historian Sean Fagan, reveals how Messenger's decision changed the future of Australian sport.

The story of Messenger's signing, amidst a battle between all three codes for 'ownership' of Sydney football, is laid out in gripping detail. Fagan reveals that before rugby league's arrival, rugby union had been enduring an ongoing fight against Australian rules.

In the 1870s rugby union was little more than one continuous hacking and kicking scrum - a try earned nothing more than a free attempt to kick a goal. Games were for players, not spectators. Dissatisfied, the majority of Sydney's clubs called for the NSWRU to adopt the scrum-less Australian rules. However, the gentlemen leaders of NSW rugby rallied against the movement, and it was defeated in a close vote.

Aussie rules made another challenge in the early 1900's, coinciding with rugby union fading in popularity. The NSWRU was accused of being "un-Australian" as it preferred to maintain its link to the amateur RFU in England instead of breaking away so it could improve playing rules and offer financial support to footballers. Australian rules had no such restrictions.

For a short time rugby union rode a new wave of popularity - brought about by the arrival of Messenger in 1906. With his individual brilliance, vast crowds flocked to his matches, filling the financial coffers of rugby union.

Unsurprisingly, rugby's success increased discontent among the players and public sympathy. Where was all the money going, and why couldn't it be spent on the footballers as compensation for injuries or time off work?

In July 1907, NSW attracted an unprecedented 52,000 against the All Blacks. By then, men like Messenger had come to appreciate their own worth. The son of a professional rower and friend of high-paid Test cricketer Victor Trumper, Messenger had secretly agreed to join rugby league.

The Rugby Rebellion reveals that Messenger's allegiance was secured for just £50 and the promise of a place in the All Golds team bound for England. By that time, the English rugby league was larger than the RFU and the All Golds tour offered each of the working-class players riches beyond their dreams - at its conclusion they each received £300 (nearly $300,000).

Messenger's decision prevented Australian rules from gaining hold of Sydney's vast working-class population and swamping rugby union.

With Messenger in their ranks in 1908, the NSWRL and QRL began to build club competitions that were able to provide injury benefits and financial rewards for working-class footballers. By then rugby league had adopted 13-a-side and introduced the play-the-ball, ensuring it attracted large crowds and gate-takings.

The book disproves claims that League only overcame Union during the latter's closure because of WW1. By the end of 1910, after the visit of the first British RL Lions team, rugby league had become Sydney and Brisbane's preferred rugby code.

Unable to attract crowds and gate-money, rugby union was forced to embrace amateurism even more tightly than before, this time as a way of survival.

Fittingly the public launch of The Rugby Rebellion is August 24th - the day that Messenger signed with the All Golds and effectively sealed the fate of Australia's football codes.

Interestingly, one of the officials involved in the new rugby league movement was the Hon Fred Flowers, great grandfather of current ARU president Gary Flowers.

If not for Messenger and his switch to rugby league, the book casts grave doubt on rugby union's ability to serve the needs of the working-class athletes and fans - a need both Australian rules and the pioneers of rugby league had recognised only too well.

The Rugby Rebellion : RRP $29.95
from bookstores and www.RugbyRebellion.com