Kurt Angle
First Grade
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THE game in Australia was born in a time of mud, blood and tears, and 100 years later, not a whole lot has changed.
Kicking off a revolution: Actors depict Dally Messenger (white shirt), James Giltinan (left) and Victor Trumper (right)
On August 8, 1907 rugby league rose out of the dissatisfaction within rugby union. A century later, the codes remain bitter enemies.
As part of yesterday's anniversary celebration, actors revived the meeting at which the NSW Rugby League was founded. The hosts on that night were Henry Hoyle, James J Giltinan and Victor Trumper, the legendary cricketer who would help the game with its biggest coup, the recruitment of famed rugby union player Dally Messenger.
It was a reminder of the game's origins - a sport spawned by player discontent at not getting their fair share.
Perhaps it was fitting then that this year the NRL players spoke of similar concerns.
"Nothing has changed," former Australian Rugby League chairman Ken Arthurson said.
"They're still complaining. But really in those days it was tough. Those poor guys didn't get a brass razoo out of the game."
Arthurson was among a host of dignitaries, past and present, who attended the ceremony at Sydney's Entertainment Quarter.
Also there was his former lieutenant John Quayle, who ended his self-imposed exile from rugby league functions to attend.
Quayle resigned as Australian Rugby League chief executive at the height of the Super League war more than a decade ago, a move designed to fast-track peace between the warring ARL and News Limited (publisher of The Australian).
The parties eventually made their peace, although recent events have again heightened tension between the co-owners of the NRL.
"This is my first return to the game since I left as an administrator," Quayle said. "I was overseas a lot but ... it was important that I moved on.
"I must say to the credit of the league they have never forgotten us. They keep inviting us. League has been my life. I've been virtually gone for 12 years now. But you don't lose it, you don't lose the time that I came through as a player and then to be able to administrate at a time of great change. "
Arthurson and Quayle were moved by yesterday's events, which culminated in a re-enactment of the first game played on these shores, between New Zealand and NSW.
Yesterday the sides were made up of high school students, all of whom had spent months playing under the rules used at the turn of the century.
"As I get older I get more emotional," Arthurson said.
"I hadn't realised James Giltinan had put his own money up to get the game running.
"He showed plenty of courage."
Arthurson now lives on the Gold Coast, a world away from the drama which continues to engulf the game.
"Drama is a by-product of passion and I think the passion around rugby league is almost unique," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.
Historian David Middleton said: "It's always been a game that has thrived on controversy. That has been its oxygen for 100 years."
And it is unlikely to go away. The game will celebrate its centenary season in 2008 with a host of events, among the most notable being the naming of its team of the century.
That alone will cause plenty of debate.
In all likelihood, at least one of the game's seven Immortals will find himself on the bench.
Controversy will almost certainly rage. But as Arthurson notes, the game will endure. As yesterday reminded those in attendance, it has survived for 100 years.
"It's a funny game, rugby league," Arthurson said.
"I have always said it's a tough old boot. It's (encountered) a lot of big rivers in its time, but it's always got there.
"The reason it's always got there is because it's such a great game."
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http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22212525-2722,00.html
Arthurson wasn't great, but you had vision Quayle.
Moves are happening where News Ltd could be kicked out of the game sooner rather than later.
Make our world cup a success and we can really go places.
You are the best we've had, we want you back.
On August 8, 1907 rugby league rose out of the dissatisfaction within rugby union. A century later, the codes remain bitter enemies.
As part of yesterday's anniversary celebration, actors revived the meeting at which the NSW Rugby League was founded. The hosts on that night were Henry Hoyle, James J Giltinan and Victor Trumper, the legendary cricketer who would help the game with its biggest coup, the recruitment of famed rugby union player Dally Messenger.
It was a reminder of the game's origins - a sport spawned by player discontent at not getting their fair share.
Perhaps it was fitting then that this year the NRL players spoke of similar concerns.
"Nothing has changed," former Australian Rugby League chairman Ken Arthurson said.
"They're still complaining. But really in those days it was tough. Those poor guys didn't get a brass razoo out of the game."
Arthurson was among a host of dignitaries, past and present, who attended the ceremony at Sydney's Entertainment Quarter.
Also there was his former lieutenant John Quayle, who ended his self-imposed exile from rugby league functions to attend.
Quayle resigned as Australian Rugby League chief executive at the height of the Super League war more than a decade ago, a move designed to fast-track peace between the warring ARL and News Limited (publisher of The Australian).
The parties eventually made their peace, although recent events have again heightened tension between the co-owners of the NRL.
"This is my first return to the game since I left as an administrator," Quayle said. "I was overseas a lot but ... it was important that I moved on.
"I must say to the credit of the league they have never forgotten us. They keep inviting us. League has been my life. I've been virtually gone for 12 years now. But you don't lose it, you don't lose the time that I came through as a player and then to be able to administrate at a time of great change. "
Arthurson and Quayle were moved by yesterday's events, which culminated in a re-enactment of the first game played on these shores, between New Zealand and NSW.
Yesterday the sides were made up of high school students, all of whom had spent months playing under the rules used at the turn of the century.
"As I get older I get more emotional," Arthurson said.
"I hadn't realised James Giltinan had put his own money up to get the game running.
"He showed plenty of courage."
Arthurson now lives on the Gold Coast, a world away from the drama which continues to engulf the game.
"Drama is a by-product of passion and I think the passion around rugby league is almost unique," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.
Historian David Middleton said: "It's always been a game that has thrived on controversy. That has been its oxygen for 100 years."
And it is unlikely to go away. The game will celebrate its centenary season in 2008 with a host of events, among the most notable being the naming of its team of the century.
That alone will cause plenty of debate.
In all likelihood, at least one of the game's seven Immortals will find himself on the bench.
Controversy will almost certainly rage. But as Arthurson notes, the game will endure. As yesterday reminded those in attendance, it has survived for 100 years.
"It's a funny game, rugby league," Arthurson said.
"I have always said it's a tough old boot. It's (encountered) a lot of big rivers in its time, but it's always got there.
"The reason it's always got there is because it's such a great game."
-----------
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22212525-2722,00.html
Arthurson wasn't great, but you had vision Quayle.
Moves are happening where News Ltd could be kicked out of the game sooner rather than later.
Make our world cup a success and we can really go places.
You are the best we've had, we want you back.
