The first rugby league match in Australia took place in 1908.
Australian rugby league developed after players and administrators became interested in the northern English code and its approach to player compensation. The New South Wales Rugby Football League was formed in 1907, and the first Sydney premiership matches were played in 1908.
The inaugural New South Wales competition included clubs such as Glebe, Newtown, South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs. Rugby league soon expanded beyond Sydney, later becoming especially prominent in Queensland and other parts of Australia.
The 1908 date is sometimes confused with the formation of the international Australian team, but the sport’s domestic competition began first. Australia’s national side then became a major force in international rugby league.