1. I understand that RL/RU split in the UK, but would anyone be able to enlighten me as to why RL has grown faster in Australia?
RL's birth and growth in Australia was due to a massive number of disgruntled players who were being denied any financial support when they suffered from injuries which prevented them from working/playing for long periods of time. In 1901, the NSWRU decided to cancel its insurance fund, which covered their players for injury during games, forcing clubs to take out insurance instead. Because the RL movement in Australia was essentially, player driven, it meant that RL was seen as a better option to ensure the financial security of themselves/their families if they got injured. Players weren't paid all that much to play league, but they were financially supported if injured.
Rugby League's birth in Australia was at a time when Sydney had an influx of socially aware politicians, many of whom aligned themselves with Rugby League, most notably future Prime Minister Billy Hughes, who was the Glebe Club Patron in their first few seasons, Henry Hoyle, the first president of the NSWRL, Edward larkin, the first full time secretary of the NSWRL, and many others who served on committees for the individual clubs. Because of these socially aware politicians, they saw RL as a fresh, modern, intelligent concept (some aligned themselves with the game to improve their own image as well, such was the fervour behind the birth of RL), which consequently made the RU look archaic.
2. Is there a "class divide" within Australia RL/RU as the UK?
To start with, definitely. Amateurism was a very important thing to athletes, especially in 1908-09, when Rugby became an Olympic sport, and consequently, saw Australia win the Gold medal in 1908 Games. It was also seen as being for the pure athlete, who was motivated by success, victory etc. Professionalism was seen as a very weak, poorer option, because athletes wouldn't be performing at their best at risk of getting injured and thus, not earning money from the game. RU persisted with this attitude, despite secretly paying players over many decades, until it turned professional in the 1990's.
Because Rugby League appealed to the working class players who had not come from financially strong homes, it became the game of the working class. It provided them with financial security which was a huge thing given so many weren't earning huge salaries as it was. Rugby Union soon became the game for the rich and private schooled children, in what could be perceived as an attempt to appear superior to RL because it had people from wealthier and better educated backgrounds. To this day, there are still many RU fans who deem their game is so much better, despite it having changed very little over the years when compared to Rugby League.
Nowadays the divide isn't so prominent, purely because RL has surpassed RU by quite a significant amount that it's essentially pointless.
3. I've tried to find monetary statistics on both RL and RU in Australia and can't seem to find them, would anyone have any leads on where to find this?
Thanks
RLref
Can't help you with 3 sorry.
