The National Museum of Australia will mark the Centenary of Rugby League in Australia with a major exhibition which will open at the National Museum in Canberra in March, 2008 and travel to Brisbane, Sydney and Townsville.

The exhibition, developed with the Australian Rugby League, will review the story of the game of Rugby League from its beginnings in 1908 through to the present.

The exhibition will showcase some of the treasures of the game and re-live some of the great moments in Rugby League.

“Rugby League has an amazing history. There is controversy, loyalty, tribalism, glory and despair, all encompassed in the story of one game,” said Mr Craddock Morton, Director of the National Museum of Australia.

“Following this story provides a great opportunity to explore Australia's social history. This exhibition will uncover some of the game's treasures and relive some of the milestones of its history.”

The exhibition will feature the Royal Agricultural Society Shield, the game's inaugural Premiership shield. The Shield was won by South Sydney in 1908 and 1909, Newtown in 1910 and Eastern Suburbs from 1911-13. After winning the competition in 1913, Eastern Suburbs presented the Shield to their star captain Dally Messenger, one of the first greats of the game.

The exhibition will open at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra as the Centenary season of Rugby League begins in 2008. The exhibition will travel to the Queensland Museum in Brisbane to coincide with the 2008 State of Origin series.

The exhibition will be hosted by the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney as the 2008 season comes to a finale with the finals series of the World Cup, and at the Pinnacles Gallery, Townsville, in December 2008.

2008 RUGBY LEAGUE CENTENARY NEWS & UPDATES