NRL Media Release: 9/8/2007

Rugby League's re-enactments yesterday - of the meeting that gave birth to the NSW Rugby League, and of the All Golds game that signaled the start of the Rugby Revolution - has posed the question of just where
we've come from, and how the game has changed.

Author Sean Fagan's research into the early years of Rugby League has attracted the interest of even the game's most respected historians.

As a member of the Rugby League Centenary Historians Committee, he has, with the assistance of Ian Heads and David Middleton, given a fascinating insight into the rules of 1908 and the changes that have taken place in the years since.

The Centenary Historians Committee of Heads, Fagan, Middleton, Geoff Armstrong, Max Howell, Gary Lester, Terry Williams and Alan Clarkson are key advisors to the main Centenary Committee.

Ian Heads and David Middleton are completing the game's official
history, to be launched as part of the Centenary celebrations.

While debates rage in 2008 about possible rule changes into the
future, Mr Fagan says the history of the game has remained one of change and improvement.

"It's significant that the rate of change has increased in the last 50 years," he observes.

"The drive to find ways to continually improve the game demonstrates the enthusiasm that grows each year and reflects the ideals of those who wanted to play and watch a more exciting game back in 1907.

"The effect of the approach back then was summed up by the Sydney Morning Herald who wrote in 1908 that: 'The difference between the new rugby and the old rugby is as a motor car compared to the bullock wagon'.

"Rugby League's ongoing tradition of innovation has transformed that humble motor car into a formula one machine that continues to attract new champions and new fans."

Sean Fagan / RL1908.com  has recently released two books, The Master: The Life & Times of Dally Messenger and The Pioneers of Rugby League.

The Pioneers of Rugby League includes a complete set of the 1908 rules of Rugby League.

2008 RUGBY LEAGUE CENTENARY NEWS & UPDATES