History Rugby Australia

the original administrative body rugby in australia southern rugby union, established in sydney in 1874. following first inter-colonial rugby match in 1882 between new south wales , queensland teams, northern rugby union formed in brisbane in 1883. interest in rugby developed rapidly on next decade matches between new south wales , queensland became annual events , inter-colonial fixtures new zealand arranged.

the first british isles team toured in 1888 , played 16 rugby matches in australia (as 18 matches of victorian rules, later become australian football). rugby @ time prominent football code in new south wales , queensland, whereas victorian rules main game in other australian colonies. southern , northern rugby unions became new south wales rugby football union , queensland rugby football union, respectively, in 1892 , 1893.

australia s first international rugby match against touring british isles team of 1899, year , half before federation established commonwealth of australia. match played @ sydney cricket ground , won 13–3 australia, tourists won remaining 3 tests. australian team first match consisted of 6 players queensland , 9 new south wales.

new south wales, senior union, responsible administration of australian team, including tours, until end of 1940s. however, various state unions agreed future of rugby union in australia better served having national administrative body , australian rugby football union formed @ conference in sydney in 1945, acting in advisory capacity only. additional impetus came in 1948 when international rugby football board invited australia (rather new south wales representative), take seat on board.

the constitution of australian rugby football union ratified on 25 november 1949 @ inaugural council meeting of eleven delegates state unions of new south wales, queensland, south australia, western australia, tasmania , victoria. act rugby union gained membership in 1972. northern territory rugby union joined in 1978, associate union before later being granted membership , voting rights.

logo 1996–2017

in 1985 australian rugby football union incorporated company and, in 1997, became australian rugby union ltd, known aru.

the act rugby union became act , southern nsw rugby union in 2004, after 2 regions in southern new south wales switched rugby affiliation australian capital territory.

in 2017, australian rugby union re-branded rugby australia, coinciding relocating new premises in moore park, sydney.