Book Release Details sheet

Contact: Sean Fagan Tel: 0431 925 832
Email: sfagan@RL1908.com
The Rugby Rebellion - www.RL1908.com

THE RUGBY REBELLION
The Divide of League and Union
Sean Fagan

For the first time, the true history of how the rugby codes split in Australia - a century ago, in August 1905, the battle for a professional rugby league had already begun.

Rugby League historian, Sean Fagan, the man behind the website RL1908.com, has released his first major book, 'The Rugby Rebellion - The Divide of League and Union'.

This book covers the largely unexplored territory of the events that the led to the formation of rugby league in Australia and New Zealand a century ago, and its struggle for survival during its first three seasons.

This remarkable era, when any sports fan would surely have been glad to be alive, is the backdrop for this brilliantly researched history that will be of interest to supporters of either rugby code. It is a thrilling tale - of how rugby in Australia became such a stunning success that it led to an uprising by footy-playing working class blokes dismayed they were not getting a 'fair go'. The dramatic outcome of that anger was the formation of the NSWRL (August 8, 1907).

However, the battle was far from over. The rugby establishment fought back hard against the 'new professionalism', and the loss of star players - none less than the great 'Dally' Messenger, rugby's pride and champion footballer.

Uncovered during countless hours of digging through micro-filmed newspapers and official League and Union archives, Fagan reveals for the first time facts that bring with them new controversies including:

• Dally Messenger was paid by the rugby union authorities to make his Test debut for Australia.
• Rugby footballers in NSW and New Zealand were given money to play in the late 1890s.
• How the 'Wallabies' and 'Kangaroos' chose their names, and the secret meaning behind each.
• Trumper and Giltinan (looking to make money) turned away from cricket, and led the working-class rugby players into revolt.
• In July 1906, New Zealand's George Smith came to Sydney and held secret meetings with NSW and Queensland footballers, as well as watch Messenger play.
• How Messenger was part of the 'All Golds' team agreement long before he joined the League.
• The reason why the 'Balmainiacs' forfeited the 1909 Final against South Sydney

More than a history book, it reveals in an unfolding way the dramatic events and incidents of League's arrival in NSW, Queensland, and New Zealand. Respected sports journalist and writer Ian Heads, has described The Rugby Rebellion as "a fabulous sporting story" that is both informative and entertaining.

Fagan has also included descriptions of League's first matches, bringing to us first-hand accounts of the on-field deeds of famous footballers such as Messenger, Albert Rosenfeld, Chris McKivat, Jimmy Devereux and many others that thrilled the crowds of Sydney, Brisbane and Newcastle.

In The Rugby Rebellion, Fagan skillfully pieces together the jigsaw of what went right…or wrong - depending on which way you may wish to consider it - of a time long ago when rugby wars broke out in Australia, when Kangaroos played against Wallabies, and our sporting winters changed forever.

The book is a generous 408 pages, including over 90 photographs, as well as match result tables/statistics, and player registers. The Rugby Rebellion is a must-have guide for all fans as we enter League's Centenary Celebrations.

The Rugby Rebellion: The Divide of League and Union is available now from book retailers, mail order or via The Rugby Rebellion - www.RL1908.com
To order via your local store, quote: ISBN: 0 9757563 0 3