National Rugby League 255709 226173893 2008-07-17T04:11:38Z Michellecrisp 3965697 /* Europeans in the NRL */ rm POV {{redirect|NRL}} {{Infobox sports league |current_season=National Rugby League season 2008 |logo=NRL Logo.jpg |pixels=150px |sport=[[Rugby League]] |founded=1998 |ceo=[[David Gallop]] (2002-) |teams=16 |country={{AUS}}<br />{{NZL}} |champion= [[Melbourne Storm]] |website= [http://www.nrl.com NRL.com] }}The '''National Rugby League (NRL)''' is the top [[Sports league|league]] of professional [[rugby league football]] clubs in [[Australasia]]. The NRL competition (sometimes referred to as the '''[[Telstra]] Premiership''' for sponsorship purposes) is contested by 16 teams, 15 based in [[Australia]] and one based in [[New Zealand]], and is the Southern Hemisphere's elite rugby league championship. The premiership also boasts the world's highest attendance figures for a [[Rugby football|rugby]] club competition of either code<ref>[[List of attendance figures at domestic professional sports leagues]]</ref>. In terms of Australia-wide television ratings it has the highest audiences for its [[Grand Final]]<ref>[http://www.thinktv.com.au//Media/Stats_&_Graphs/Top_Programs/Top_50_Programs_2007_Survey8.pdf]</ref> and sells the most merchandise of any Australian sports league.<ref>http://nrl.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/7927/Default.aspx</ref> The National Rugby League is the present-day embodiment of Australia's top-level domestic rugby league competition, which in turn grew from [[Sydney]]'s club competition, and which has been running continuously since 1908. The NRL formed in the aftermath of the 1990s' [[Super League war]] as a joint partnership between the sport's national governing body, the [[Australian Rugby League]] (ARL) and the [[News Corporation]]-controlled [[Super League (Australia)|Super League]] after both organisations ran premierships parallel to each other in 1997. NRL matches are played throughout Australia as well as New Zealand from Autumn until Spring, culminating in a [[Grand Final]] match to determine the season's premiers. Each year the NRL champions play an additional game against the premiers of the European [[Super League (Europe)|Super League]] competition in the [[World Club Challenge]]. ==Teams== The map below indicates the locations of teams currently competing in the National Rugby League competition. The inset is of greater Sydney. {{NRL map}} The following sixteen clubs are competing in the National Rugby League during the [[National Rugby League season 2008|2008]] season. <br style="clear:both;"/> {| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;" |- ! Club ! Location ! Home Ground(s) ! First season |- | '''[[Brisbane Broncos]]''' | [[Brisbane]], [[Queensland|QLD]] | [[Suncorp Stadium]] (12 games) (52,500) | [[New South Wales Rugby League season 1988|1988]] |- | '''[[Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club|Bulldogs]]''' | [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales|NSW]] | [[Stadium Australia|ANZ Stadium]] (11 games)(83,500) | [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1935|1935]] |- | '''[[Canberra Raiders]]''' | [[Canberra]], [[Australian Capital Territory|ACT]] | [[Canberra Stadium]] (12 games)(25,011) | [[New South Wales Rugby League season 1982|1982]] |- | '''[[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]]''' | [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales|NSW]] | [[Toyota Stadium (Cronulla)|Toyota Stadium]] (12 games)(22,500) | [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1967|1967]] |- | '''[[Gold Coast Titans]]''' | [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]], [[Queensland|QLD]] | [[Skilled Park]] (12 games)(27,000) | [[NRL season 2007|2007]] |- | '''[[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]]''' | [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales|NSW]] | [[Brookvale Oval]] (10 games)(23,000) <br />[[Bluetongue Stadium]] (2 games)(20,119) | [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1947|1947]] |- | '''[[Melbourne Storm]]''' | [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|VIC]] | [[Olympic Park Stadium]] (11 games)(18,500) <br />[[Telstra Dome]] (1 game)(56,347) | [[National Rugby League season 1998|1998]] |- | '''[[New Zealand Warriors]]''' | [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand|NZ]] | [[Mt Smart Stadium]] (12 games)(28,745) | [[Australian Rugby League season 1995|1995]] |- | '''[[Newcastle Knights]]''' | [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], [[New South Wales|NSW]] | [[Energy Australia Stadium]] (12 games)(26,000) | [[New South Wales Rugby League season 1988|1988]] |- | '''[[North Queensland Cowboys]]''' | [[Townsville, Queensland|Townsville]], [[Queensland|QLD]] | [[Dairy Farmers Stadium]] (12 games)(25,000) | [[Australian Rugby League season 1995|1995]] |- | '''[[Parramatta Eels]]''' | [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales|NSW]] | [[Parramatta Stadium]] (10 games)(20,000) <br />[[Stadium Australia|ANZ Stadium]] (2 games)(83,500) | [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1947|1947]] |- | '''[[Penrith Panthers]]''' | [[Sydney, New South Wales|Penrith]], [[New South Wales|NSW]] | [[CUA Stadium]] (12 games)(21,000) | [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1967|1967]] |- | '''[[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]''' | [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales|NSW]]<br />[[Wollongong]], [[New South Wales|NSW]] | [[WIN Stadium]] (6 games)(20,000) <br />[[Stadium Australia|ANZ Stadium]] (6 games)(83,500) | [[National Rugby League season 1999|1999]] |- | '''[[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]''' | [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales|NSW]] | [[Stadium Australia|ANZ Stadium]] (11 games) (83,500) <br />[[Bluetongue Stadium]] (1 game)(20,119) | [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1908|1908]] |- | '''[[Sydney Roosters]]''' | [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales|NSW]] | [[Sydney Football Stadium]] (11 games)(45,500) <br /> [[Bluetongue Stadium]] (1 game)(20,119) | [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1908|1908]] |- | '''[[Wests Tigers]]''' | [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales|NSW]] | [[Stadium Australia|ANZ Stadium]] (4 games)(83,500) <br />[[Campbelltown Stadium]] (3 games)(21,000) <br />[[Leichhardt Oval]] (3 games)(23,000) <br />[[Sydney Football Stadium]] (1 game)(45,500)<br />[[Sydney Cricket Ground]] (1 game)(44,002) | [[National Rugby League season 2000|2000]] |} A total of twenty-three clubs have played in the National Rugby League between 1998 and 2007. For a list of all clubs past and present see [[National Rugby League Teams]]. For a complete list of all teams no longer competing in the NRL [[Defunct Rugby League Teams#National Rugby League .281998-.29|see here]] Eleven clubs have been members of the National Rugby League for every season since its inception in 1998. This group includes Brisbane, Bulldogs, Canberra, Cronulla, Melbourne, New Zealand, Newcastle, North Queensland, Parramatta, Penrith and Sydney. ==History== ====NRL Premiers==== {| border=1 style="border-collapse:collapse; font-size:90%;" cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width=68% |- bgcolor=#C1D8FF !rowspan=2 width=10%|Season !rowspan=1 colspan=3|Grand Final Information !rowspan=2 width=27%|Minor Premiers |- bgcolor=#EFEFEF !rowspan=1 width=27%|Premiers !rowspan=1 width=9%|Score !rowspan=1 width=27%|Runners-Up |- align=center bgcolor=#F5FAFF |[[National Rugby League season 1998|1998]] |align=left | [[Image:Brisbane colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Brisbane Broncos]] |38-12 |align=left | [[Image:Canterbury colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club|Canterbury Bulldogs]] |align=left | [[Image:Brisbane colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Brisbane Broncos]] |- align=center bgcolor=#F5FAFF |[[National Rugby League season 1999|1999]] |align=left | [[Image:Melbourne colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Melbourne Storm]] |20-18 |align=left | [[Image:St. George colours.svg|23x23px]] [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]] |align=left | [[Image:Cronulla colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]] |- align=center bgcolor=#F5FAFF |[[National Rugby League season 2000|2000]] |align=left | [[Image:Brisbane colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Brisbane Broncos]] |14-6 |align=left | [[Image:Eastern Suburbs colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Sydney Roosters]] |align=left | [[Image:Brisbane colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Brisbane Broncos]] |- align=center bgcolor=#F5FAFF |[[National Rugby League season 2001|2001]] |align=left | [[Image:Newcastle colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Newcastle Knights]] |30-24 |align=left | [[Image:Parramatta colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Parramatta Eels]] |align=left | [[Image:Parramatta colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Parramatta Eels]] |- align=center bgcolor=#F5FAFF |[[National Rugby League season 2002|2002]] |align=left | [[Image:Eastern Suburbs colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Sydney Roosters]] |30-8 |align=left | [[Image:New Zealand colours.svg|23x23px]] [[New Zealand Warriors]] |align=left | [[Image:New Zealand colours.svg|23x23px]] [[New Zealand Warriors]] |- align=center bgcolor=#F5FAFF |[[National Rugby League season 2003|2003]] |align=left | [[Image:Penrith colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Penrith Panthers]] |18-6 |align=left | [[Image:Eastern Suburbs colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Sydney Roosters]] |align=left | [[Image:Penrith colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Penrith Panthers]] |- align=center bgcolor=#F5FAFF |[[National Rugby League season 2004|2004]] |align=left | [[Image:Canterbury colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club|Bulldogs]] |16-13 |align=left | [[Image:Eastern Suburbs colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Sydney Roosters]] |align=left | [[Image:Eastern Suburbs colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Sydney Roosters]] |- align=center bgcolor=#F5FAFF |[[National Rugby League season 2005|2005]] |align=left | [[Image:Wests Tigers colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Wests Tigers]] |30-16 |align=left | [[Image:North Queensland colours.svg|23x23px]] [[North Queensland Cowboys]] |align=left | [[Image:Parramatta colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Parramatta Eels]] |- align=center bgcolor=#F5FAFF |[[National Rugby League season 2006|2006]] |align=left | [[Image:Brisbane colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Brisbane Broncos]] |15-8 |align=left | [[Image:Melbourne colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Melbourne Storm]] |align=left | [[Image:Melbourne colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Melbourne Storm]] |- align=center bgcolor=#F5FAFF |[[National Rugby League season 2007|2007]] |align=left | [[Image:Melbourne colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Melbourne Storm]] |34-8 |align=left | [[Image:Manly colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]] |align=left | [[Image:Melbourne colours.svg|23x23px]] [[Melbourne Storm]] |} ===Origins=== {{main|History of the National Rugby League}} {{seealso|Rugby league in Australia}} The [[New South Wales Rugby League]] (NSWRL) ran the major rugby league competition of New South Wales, and later the whole country from its inception in [[New South Wales Rugby League season 1908|1908]] until [[New South Wales Rugby League season 1994|1994]]. Following the introduction of a new format for interstate rugby league, [[Rugby League State of Origin|State of Origin]] in 1980, the decade of the 1980s brought about expansion of the [[New South Wales Rugby League premiership|NSWRL premiership]], with the introduction of commercial sponsorship, the [[Winfield Cup]], and the addition of non-[[Sydney]]-based teams, [[Canberra Raiders|Canberra]] and [[Illawarra Steelers|Illawarra]] in 1982.<ref>[http://www.rl1908.com/Clubs/Canberra-Raiders.htm Canberra Raiders] ''RL1908.com'' Retrieved on [[14 January]] [[2006]].</ref><ref>[http://www.rl1908.com/Clubs/Illawarra-Steelers.htm Illawarra Steelers] ''RL1908.com'' Retrieved on [[14 January]] [[2006]].</ref> Although this move brought more interest in the competition statewide in [[New South Wales]], it would spell the beginning of the demise of some of the traditional Sydney-based clubs as well as the [[Brisbane Rugby League premiership]]. Following the 1983 season, foundation club [[Newtown Jets]] were ultimately forced to withdraw from the competition because of financial difficulties.<ref>[http://www.newtownjets.com.au/history.htm Club History] ''Newtown Jets - Established 1908'' Retrieved on [[14 January]] [[2006]].</ref> Further expansion of the league followed in [[New South Wales Rugby League season 1988|1988]], with another three teams to be based outside Sydney introduced to the competition: the [[Newcastle Knights]] and the first two Queensland teams, the [[Brisbane Broncos]] and [[Gold Coast Chargers#Gold Coast-Tweed Giants|Gold Coast-Tweed Giants]].<ref>[http://rl1908.com/clubcomps/by-decades.htm A Century of Premiership Competition] ''RL1908.com'' Retrieved on [[14 January]] [[2006]].</ref> These new teams proved to be successful, both financially and in popularity, and paved the way towards a push for a truly national competition. This was undertaken in [[Australian Rugby League season 1995|1995]] with control of the premiership passing to the [[Australian Rugby League]] (ARL), who invited four more teams from outside NSW to participate. ===Establishment=== {{See also|Super League war}} The prospect of a truly national rugby league competition in addition to the introduction of pay television in Australia attracted the attention of global media organisation, [[News Corporation]], and it followed that professional rugby league was shaken to its very foundations in the mid-1990s with the advent of the [[Super League war]] over broadcasting rights. Both the ARL and their newly-created rival, the News-controlled [[Super League (Australia)|Super League]], conducted separate competitions in 1997. With twenty-two teams playing in two competitions that year, crowd attendances and corporate sponsorships were spread very thinly,<ref>[http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/summary.html Rugby League Tables / Attendances 1957-2006] ''The World of Rugby League'' Retrieved on [[14 January]] [[2006]].</ref> and many teams found themselves in financial difficulty. The ARL undertook moves to invite the traditional clubs that had moved to the Super League competition back into a re-unified competition. Following a period of negotiation with News Corporation, on [[September 23]], [[1997]] the ARL announced that it was forming a new company to conduct the competition in 1998. On [[October 7]] [[Rupert Murdoch]] announced that he was confident that there would be a single competition in 1998 and in the following months the National Rugby League, jointly owned by the [[Australian Rugby League|ARL]] and News Limited, was formed. It was announced that the inaugural National Rugby League (NRL) season of [[National Rugby League season 1998|1998]] would have 20 teams competing, 19 remaining Super League and ARL teams plus the [[Melbourne Storm]], who were created by Super League for their 1998 season. Clubs on both sides of the war were shut down. Super League decided to close the [[Hunter Mariners]] and the financially ruined [[Western Reds]], who were $10 million in debt at the end of 1997{{Fact|date=December 2007}}, while the ARL decided to close down the [[South Queensland Crushers]], who were also in severe financial trouble{{Fact|date=December 2007}}. Additionally, at the end of 1998 the NRL decided to close down former Super League club, the [[Adelaide Rams]] and former ARL club, the [[Gold Coast Chargers]], despite the Gold Coast franchise being one of the few clubs to make a profit during the Super League war{{Fact|date=December 2007}}. ===1998-2002: Rationalisation=== {{main|National Rugby League season 1998|National Rugby League season 1999|National Rugby League season 2000|National Rugby League season 2001|National Rugby League season 2002}} One condition of the peace agreement between the ARL and News Limited was that there would be a 14 team competition in 2000. The 20 clubs that played in 1998 would be assessed on various items such as sponsorship, crowds, on-field success and the like. It was also announced that clubs that merged would receive a large sum of money, as well as a guaranteed position in the 2000 NRL Competition. [[St. George Dragons|St. George]] were the first club to take up the offer, and they merged with the [[Illawarra Steelers]] at the end of 1998. The Bulldogs continued in their present form without merging in 1999, however dropped the ''Canterbury'' from their club name to simply become known as the ''Bulldogs''. [[Balmain Tigers|Balmain]] and [[Western Suburbs Magpies|Western Suburbs]] formed the joint venture club, the [[Wests Tigers]] at the end of 1999, while [[North Sydney Bears|North Sydney]] and [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles|Manly-Warringah]] merged to form the ill-fated [[Northern Eagles]]. As part of another image makeover, a number of teams also released new club logos. The most notable of these was the Sydney Roosters, dropping the ''City'' section of their name for the 2000 season and beyond. [[South Sydney Rabbitohs|Souths]] were controversially axed from the competition at the end of 1999 for failing to meet the criteria. This move was highly controversial and on [[12 November]], [[2000]] approximately 80,000 marched in protest at their continued exclusion. South Sydney challenged the decision in the Federal Court claiming that the NRL agreement was exclusionary, intended to unfairly exclude South Sydney, and breached the Trade Practices Act. Justice Paul Finn ruled that the agreement did not specifically exclude any club and dismissed the Rabbitohs' claims for re-instatement into the national competition. Souths appealed this decision and were re-admitted into the competition in 2002. The Auckland Warriors experienced much financial hardship in the early part of the decade, ultimately collapsing before being resurrected as the New Zealand Warriors for the 2001 season. They made the Grand Final in 2002. In 2001, Australia's largest telecommunications provider Telstra became naming rights sponsor of the NRL, with the competition's name becoming the NRL Telstra Premiership, while in 2002 [[David Gallop]] took over the CEO role from [[David Moffett]], and the competition has become more and more popular each season. In 2001 the NRL Grand Final started to be played on Sunday nights, a shift from the traditional Sunday afternoon slot used for over a decade prior. ===2003-2005: Record Popularity=== {{main|National Rugby League season 2003|National Rugby League season 2004|National Rugby League season 2005}} The 2003 season was widely regarded as the most successful since the beginning of the National Rugby League in 1998. The Penrith Panthers rose from the bottom of the table to win the Premiership, while the Broncos returned to [[Suncorp Stadium]] mid-year. Season 2004 proved even more successful than 2003, with the [[North Queensland Cowboys]] going from 11th position in 2003 to 3rd in 2004, narrowly missing out on a maiden Grand Final berth. Crowd average records were broken in 2003, 2004 and 2005.<ref>[http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/summary.html Rugby League Tables / Attendances 1957-2006 / All Teams]</ref> In 2005, the NRL reached record levels of popularity for its competition. Total crowds for the competition season almost reached the figures for the last year of the competition conducted by the ARL competition of 1995, prior to the Super League war. From 2004 to 2005 there was a 39% increase in sponsorship, a 41% increase in merchandise royalties and a 12% increase in playing participation.<ref>[http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,16448462%255E23214,00.html Courier Mail]</ref> In 2005 [[Business Review Weekly]] ranked the NRL 497 in revenue of Australian private companies, with revenue of A$66.1m (+7%) with 35 employees. In 2005, a record national audience of 4.1 million tuned into watch the grand final between the [[Wests Tigers]] and the [[North Queensland Cowboys]].<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/news/league/storm-the-sentimental-favourite-in-sydney/2006/09/24/1159036415096.html Storm the sentimental favourite in Sydney - League - Sport - theage.com.au<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===2006: A Unique Year=== {{main|National Rugby League season 2006}} The [[Rugby league in 2006|2006]] National Rugby League season kicked off on Friday, March 10th, between defending premiers [[Wests Tigers]] and early favourites [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]] at [[Telstra Stadium]]. Melbourne, after leading the competition for most of the season, comfortably claimed the minor premiership, with the Bulldogs, Brisbane, and Newcastle making up the top four. Manly, St George Illawarra, Canberra and Parramatta took places five to eight. The 2006 NRL Grand Final won by the Brisbane Broncos over the Melbourne Storm, 15-8. The matchup was a significant milestone in the history of the NRL, as two interstate teams (teams not from New South Wales, the "heartland" of the NRL) contested the grand final for the first time ever. The game itself once again enjoyed immense support, with more record TV ratings, particularly capturing Melbourne on Grand Final night{{Fact|date=February 2007}}. Crowds were down on 2005, however were better than any other year prior to that. ===2007: Further expansion=== {{main|National Rugby League season 2007}} In its tenth season the NRL returned to having a club based on the [[Gold Coast, Queensland]] with the inclusion of the [[Gold Coast Titans]]. The Titans were the first professional sporting team to occupy the Gold Coast since 1998, when the [[Gold Coast Chargers]] were one of the teams removed during the NRL's rationalisation process between the end of the Super League war and the 2000 season. The 2007 NRL season kicked off on Friday [[16 March]] [[2007]] with eight games each round. 2007 also saw the return of Monday Night Football and the inclusion of two Friday night games. Both of which turned out to be ratings successes. Another change from the previous seasons was a reduction in the number of byes per team in the season. With an odd number of teams contesting between 2002 and 2006, the draw meant that at least one team would have to have a bye each weekend. With the inclusion of the 16th team for the 2007 season, the National Rugby League had the option of reverting to back to the system used between 2000 and 2001 where every team played each round. That system was not used however, with teams were given just a single bye during the year, grouped in periods that will assist clubs around representative fixtures. The opening round saw two matches at Brisbane's [[Suncorp Stadium]], the first featuring reigning champions Brisbane against fellow Queensland side North Queensland, while the second match featured the new club, the Gold Coast playing St George Illawarra. The weather during the middle of the season was less than ideal, with cyclonic conditions severely affecting many NRL games played in Sydney and Newcastle. The finals series was contested over a period of four weeks and saw the newly privatised South Sydney Rabbitohs return to finals football for the first time in decades. The season culminated with the NRL Grand Final on Sunday [[30 September]] [[2007]] contested between a resurgent Manly and a Melbourne team looking for redemption from last years Grand Final loss. Melbourne ran out convincing winners with a 34–8 scoreline and the Grand Final achieved the honour of being the most watched television show in Australia in 2007.<ref>[http://www.thinktv.com.au//Media/Stats_&_Graphs/Top_Programs/Top_50_Programs_2007_Survey8.pdf]</ref> ===2008: The Centenary === {{main|National Rugby League season 2008}} The NRL is currently celebrating 100 years since Rugby League was introduced into Australia, with several initiatives to recognise the important milestone, including an extensive marketing campaign called the 'Centenary of Rugby League'. The competition begins in March, with a special heritage round to be held in mid-April, coinciding with the first round of competition played in 1908. The Season is expected to be the greatest season of the game for the 100 years. At a Gala event on the night of 17th April 2008 the team of the centruy was announced being: Full-back: [[Clive Churchill]]; Wingers: [[Ken Irvine]], [[Brian Bevan]]; Centres: [[Reg Gasnier]], [[Mal Meninga]]; Five-eighth: [[Wally Lewis]]; Half-back: [[Andrew Johns]]; Lock: [[John Raper]]; Second Row: [[Norm Provan]], [[Ron Coote]]; Props: [[Arthur Beetson]], [[Duncan Hall]]; Hooker: [[Noel Kelly (rugby league)|Noel Kelly]]; Reserves: [[Graeme Langlands]], [[Dally Messenger]], [[Bob Fulton]], [[Frank Burge]]; Coach: Jack Gibson. <ref>[http://www.centenaryofrugbyleague.com.au Centenary of Rugby League | Home<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> === The Future === When the Gold Coast Titans were admitted into the 2007 season of the NRL they beat out proposals from [[Gosford, New South Wales]] (as the [[North Sydney Bears|Central Coast Bears]]) and [[Wellington, New Zealand]] (as the [[Wellington Orcas|Southern Orcas]]). Both teams are still looking forward to joining the NRL in the next expansion period, speculated to be a year before the current TV deal comes up for renewal in 2013. In 2006 the [[Western Australia Rugby League]] announced that the [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]]-based [[Western Reds|WA Reds]] will be joining the [[NSWRL Jim Beam Cup|Jim Beam Cup]] in 2008. The club plans to progress through the competitions below the NRL with a planned promotion to the [[Queensland Cup]] in 2010 and final promotion to the NRL currently planned for 2011 - 2012.<ref>[http://www.warugbyleague.com.au/content/wateam1/] WA Wins Bid for National Team: The Journey to the NRL Begins, ''WA Rugby League'', Retrieved on 15 December 2006</ref> NRL CEO David Gallop has spoken specifically about adding teams in West [[Brisbane]]<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22064507-10389,00.html] Fourth team for Queensland? ''The Courier-Mail''</ref><ref>[http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23243022-10389,00.html No need yet for NRL to expand, says David Gallop | The Courier-Mail<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/sport/nrl-got-it-right-in-qld-gallop/2008/02/22/1203467360574.html NRL got it right in Qld: Gallop - Sport - BrisbaneTimes - brisbanetimes.com.au<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23259203-5001021,00.html It's war: League attacks AFL | The Daily Telegraph<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,23752175-5006066,00.html Eagles to set foot in Queensland | Daily Telegraph<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]]<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23259203-5001021,00.html It's war: League attacks AFL | The Daily Telegraph<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> <ref>[http://www.warugbyleague.com.au/content/news/?page=3&nid=2960&oid= WARL | Western Australian Rugby League<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23748599-5012431,00.html Sydney's clubs fight for life but are they really killing the game? | The Australian<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, [[Adelaide]]<ref>[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23748599-5012431,00.html Sydney's clubs fight for life but are they really killing the game? | The Australian<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, the [[Central Coast (New South Wales)|Central Coast]]<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23243022-10389,00.html No need yet for NRL to expand, says David Gallop | The Courier-Mail<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/sport/nrl-got-it-right-in-qld-gallop/2008/02/22/1203467360574.html NRL got it right in Qld: Gallop - Sport - BrisbaneTimes - brisbanetimes.com.au<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23259203-5001021,00.html It's war: League attacks AFL | The Daily Telegraph<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, the [[Sunshine Coast, Queensland|Sunshine Coast]]<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,23243022-10389,00.html No need yet for NRL to expand, says David Gallop | The Courier-Mail<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/sport/nrl-got-it-right-in-qld-gallop/2008/02/22/1203467360574.html NRL got it right in Qld: Gallop - Sport - BrisbaneTimes - brisbanetimes.com.au<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23259203-5001021,00.html It's war: League attacks AFL | The Daily Telegraph<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and [[Wellington, New Zealand]]<ref>[http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23259203-5001021,00.html It's war: League attacks AFL | The Daily Telegraph<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. The NRL also has a fund of $8 million for any club that decides to relocate to a 'strategically identified area'.<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/08/16/1092508373558.html Cash offer for clubs to relocate - League - www.smh.com.au<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===Games on the Road=== Since 1998 NRL clubs have played both trial matches and premiership season games in areas that do not have representation in the NRL. * [[Wests Tigers]] have played premiership season games in [[Christchurch, New Zealand]] * The [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]] and [[Penrith Panthers]] have played premiership season games in [[Adelaide]]. * The [[Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club|Bulldogs]] have taken games interstate to [[Brisbane]] and the [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]] as well [[Wellington, New Zealand]]. * [[South Sydney Rabbitohs|South Sydney]] have agreed to move two games per season to [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], [[Western Australia]]. * The [[Parramatta Eels]] played two premiership season games in Waikato, New Zealand in 2005-2006. ==Structure== A Partnership Executive Committee administers the agreement between the [[Australian Rugby League]] and [[News Limited]] as well as making major financial decisions.<ref name="structure">[http://www.nrl.com/NRLHistory/tabid/270/Default.aspx NRL History] ''National Rugby League'' Retrieved on [[14 January]] [[2006]].</ref> Three representatives from each party make up this committee. A National Rugby League Board, which is commissioned by the Partnership Committee and is composed of six delegates - three from each party - is responsible for administering the competition. Both bodies nominate a Chairman to lead each board for a term of 12 months on an alternating basis.<ref name="structure">[http://www.nrl.com/NRLHistory/tabid/270/Default.aspx NRL History] ''National Rugby League'' Retrieved on [[14 January]] [[2006]].</ref> The National Rugby League markets the premiership on behalf of the clubs as well as organising the draw and finals matches. When the draw is finalised, teams are responsible for controlling and organising their assigned home games. Clubs each have their own organisational structure but are also bound to the National Rugby League by a common set of rules in club agreements.<ref name="structure">[http://www.nrl.com/NRLHistory/tabid/270/Default.aspx NRL History] ''National Rugby League'' Retrieved on [[14 January]] [[2006]].</ref> ==Competition format and sponsorship== ===Regular season=== <!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:CanberraVNewcastle19032005.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Canberra Raiders]] and [[Newcastle Knights]] playing at [[Canberra Stadium]] in 2005.]] -->With rugby league being a winter sport in Australia, the NRL premiership season usually begins in early March following a brief series of trial matches. Games are then played every weekend (plus Monday night football) until the end of September. There are currently sixteen clubs in the National Rugby League. Teams are divided into two equal pools of eight at the completion of each season, with each pool of equal strength based on that season's results. During the course of the regular season (which lasts until August) each club plays a total of two games against each team in the opposite pool, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponent's for a total of sixteen games for each club. Teams play six of those seven others in their own group just once during the season, and play the remaining club twice. This results in each team playing 24 games, with two [[bye (sports)|bye]]s in the 26-week regular season, for a total of 192 games. Teams receive two competition points for a win, and one point for a draw. The bye also receives two points; a loss, no points. Teams are ranked by competition points, then match points differential (for and against) and points percentage are used to separate teams with equal competition points. At the end of the regular season, the club which is ranked highest on the ladder is declared [[Minor premiership|minor premiers]]. ===Finals=== [[Image:nrltrophy.jpg|100px|thumb|left|The NRL trophy is awarded to the winner of the Grand final]]The eight highest placed teams at the end of the regular season have the opportunity to compete in the finals series, which is contested using the [[McIntyre System]]. This system has been used for every National Rugby League season with the exception of the first, in 1998.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://stats.rleague.com/rl/snotes.html | title = Rugby League Tables - Notes | publisher = Rugby League Tables & Statistics | accessdate = 2007-01-22}}</ref> The system consists of a number of knockout and sudden-death games over four weeks between the top eight teams in August and September until there are only two teams remaining. These two teams then play in the Grand Final, usually on the first Sunday of October. In the first week, the top four seeds play at their respective home grounds. In week two, matches are played within the home city of the two lower seeded winning teams from week one. In week three, teams will play within the home regions of the two seeded winning teams from week one. The NRL's [[Grand Final]] is one of Australia's major sporting events, often attracting large attendances and high television ratings. The game itself is usually preceded by an opening ceremony including entertainment from well-known Australasian and international musical acts. The [[Australian Prime Minister]] is also usually on hand for the trophy-presenting ceremony. In 1998 the Grand Final was held at the [[Aussie Stadium|Sydney Football Stadium]]. Since 1999 the Grand Final has been contested at [[Stadium Australia]], the primary athletics venue during the [[2000 Olympic Games]] held in Sydney.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/stadiums.php?id=9 | title = Aussie Stadium | publisher = Australian Stadiums | accessdate = 2007-01-22}}</ref> In June 2006, the NRL announced that the National Rugby League Grand Final will continue to be held at the Stadium until at least 2012, when it will be considered to be moved interstate if certain circumstances arose.<ref>{{cite news | author = [[Australian Associated Press]] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/sydney-locks-in-grand-final-for-six-years/2006/06/02/1148956528593.html | title = Sydney locks in grand final for six years | publisher = The Sydney Morning Herald | date = [[June 2]] [[2006]]| accessdate = 2007-01-22 }}</ref> The Grand Final has traditionally been played on Sunday afternoons, but in 2001 the Grand Final was played at night time for a primetime TV slot. Because this meant that the game finished late at night, the NRL feared losing younger audiences. So a compromise was reached between [[Nine Network|Channel 9]]'s (the Grand Final's broadcaster) preferred starting time of 8pm and the fans' preferred starting time of 3pm, so that from 2008 the Grand Final will start at 5pm AEST.<ref>{{cite news|title=NRL to host a twilight Grand Final|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/18/2122065.htm|publisher=''[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]''|date=[[2007-12-18]]|accessdate=2008-02-12}}</ref> === Sponsorship === [[Image:National Rugby League 2007.png|thumb|130px|right|The Telstra Premiership logo.]]The NRL is a highly corporatised sporting competition, with sponsors' logos appearing on everything from the ball itself, to the playing field's surface and most parts of players' and referees' uniforms. Since 2001, the National Rugby League premiership has been sponsored by Telstra. In the years beforehand, the premiership was simply known as the "National Rugby League". The list below details who the sponsors have been and what they called the competition:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rleague.com/db/comp/nrl_telstra_premiership/index.php| title = NRL Telstra Premiership | publisher = The World of Rugby League | accessdate = 2007-01-22}}</ref> :* 1998–2000: (Not part of Name but was sponsored by Optus) National Rugby League :* 2001–current: Telstra (NRL Telstra Premiership) The Telstra Premiership has maintained three competition logos throughout its current tenure as major sponsor. The first, lasting only through the 2001 regular season, was their company logo with an elongated circle enclosing the word ''Premiership''. From the Finals series of 2001 through to the end of 2006 the logo was based around the shape of a football with the words Telstra Premiership on respective lines along the bottom, culminating with a small football similar to the one in the official NRL logo. The primary colours were that of the company - blue and orange. The company has worked with the NRL for a new logo in 2007 as part of a new sponsorship deal, and as such the logo is much similar to the original National Rugby League emblem. Other notable sponsorships include Coca-Cola Amatil for ball sponsorship, [[Carlton Draught]] for Friday Night Football sponsorship, Bundaberg Rum for Monday Night Football sponsorship and [[FootyTAB|TAB]] sportsbet as official betting agency of the NRL. ==Competition rules and representative season== ===Salary cap=== {{main|Salary cap}} The National Rugby League adopted a salary cap in the early 1990s. In the NRL, clubs found to have breached the salary cap rules usually incur a fine. For example, six clubs were fined for minor infractions in 2003. These infractions are usually technical in nature and can sometimes be affected by third-party factors such as loss of sponsorship revenue affecting an allowance. During the 2007 season the NRL has investigated other ways of creating a fair and more beneficial cap for players and clubs. However in mid-2002, the [[Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club|Bulldogs]] were found guilty of serious and systematic breaches. In addition to a more substantial fine, they were stripped of their competition points accumulated to that date, and hence denied a place in the finals. As the club had been leading the competition table prior to the penalty's imposition, this was a shattering outcome for the club and its fans. In the 2006 pre-season the [[New Zealand Warriors]] revealed that their former management had rorted the salary cap in the 2004 and 2005 seasons. As a punishment the club was stripped of four competition points for 2006 and fined $430,000. They also had to play the 2007 season under a reduced salary cap. After the completion of round 7, 2008, several clubs were fined for breaches in 2007. The hardest hit were the [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] with a $70000 fine, unfortunately coinciding with an alcohol-related incident involving five of the club's players, including the captain. ===Representative season=== As well as playing for their club in the National Rugby League premiership season, players are sometimes entitled to play in a number of representative competitions that are conducted by the [[Australian Rugby League]] at the same time. These competitions include the one-off [[ANZAC Test]]s, [[Rugby League World Cup|World Cup]] competitions, [[Rugby League Tri-Nations|Tri-Nations]] series, [[Rugby League State of Origin|State of Origin]] series and the New South Wales [[City vs Country Origin]] series. In order for a player to qualify for a representative team in these competitions, they must firstly be eligible to be chosen for the side, based on a process of qualification (which involves the standard of play at club level). ==Media coverage== [[Image:Suncorp Stadium.jpg|thumb|right|225px|A 2004 match between [[Brisbane Broncos]] and the [[Bulldogs (rugby league team)|Bulldogs]]]] The NRL is a juggernaut on the Australian television scene, providing not only the highest rating program in Australia (the NRL Grand Final) but also six of the top seven and 78 of the top 100 programs on subscription television. ===Coverage History=== Professional club football in Australia has ultimately been revolutionised by television, with a large shift away from daytime games to night-time games over recent years to better suit the contracted television networks, [[Nine Network|Channel 9]] and [[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]. This even extended to the Grand Final, which from 2001 to 2006 was shifted from 3pm on Sunday to 7pm Sunday night to better suit broadcasters. It has been moved back to 5pm Sunday from 2008 onwards. The [[News Limited]]-begun Foxtel network which broadcast its first [[rugby league]] matches during the [[Super League (Australia) season 1997|1997 Super League]] season has broadcast the remaining National Rugby League matches since the competition's inception in 1998. In 2007, the hugely popular Monday Night Football was added to Foxtel's rugby league coverage. ===Current Television Coverage=== ====Domestic==== *'''[[Friday Night Football (Australia)#National Rugby League|Friday Night Football]]''' starts at 7.30 pm with a live match followed by the replay of another match played during the same time as the live game. Both matches on [[Nine Network|Channel 9]] free-to-air television. *'''Super Saturday''' includes one U/20 Toyota Cup afternoon game, a twilight game and two night games all broadcast consecutively on [[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]. *'''Sunday Afternoon Football''' is a delayed match broadcast on [[Nine Network|Channel 9]]. A game is also played live on [[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]. *'''Monday Night Football''' is televised live from 7:00pm by [[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]. It is sponsored by [[Bundaberg Rum]]. *The NRL '''Grand Final''' is shown live in every state on [[Nine Network|Channel 9]], with some states receiving up to 10 hours of continuous pre- and post-game coverage. On Super Saturday the viewer providing that they have [[Foxtel Digital]] or [[Austar Digital]] can use a tool called Viewer's choice. Viewer's choice gives the viewer a choice of either game played at 7:30pm. ====International==== The NRL is televised on almost every continent, with the following channels being the main telecast partners overseas. *[[Setanta Sports]] - Covers at least least 2 live games from each of the weekly rounds. Plus all the playoffs, the Grand Final and all three [[Rugby League State of Origin|State of Origin]] matches live. Shown in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and in the United States of America. Also covers Australia test matches. *[[Australia Network]] - Provides free-to-air coverage to overseas locales in the Asia-Pacific region and India. Covers the Grand Final live. ==Players== National Rugby League footballers account for some of Australasia's most famous athletes, commanding multi-million dollar playing contracts as well as sponsorship deals. Each club in the NRL has a "top squad" of twenty-five players, which are signed under the Salary Cap (as described above). By and large, the players who play in National Rugby League matches are sourced from these "top squad"s. Occasionally during a season, however, the need may arise for a club to use players outside these 25, and in this case players are usually sourced from the club's junior ranks (such as the relevant [[New South Wales Cup]] or [[Queensland Cup]] squad). The players voted to be the best in each position at the end of the season are honoured at the annual [[Dally M Awards]], with the player of the year awarded the [[Dally M Medal]]. The man of the match in the Grand Final is awarded the [[Clive Churchill Medal]]. ===Europeans in the NRL=== [[Europe]]an-born players in the National Rugby League amount to very few, unlike the converse situation with Europe's [[super League (Europe)|Super League]]. However those who do play in the NRL (In recent times [[Adrian Morley]] and [[Brian Carney (rugby footballer)|Brian Carney]]) tend to be stars of the game. As from 2009 Leeds Rhinos Forward [[Gareth Ellis]] will join the Wests Tigers on a Three Year Deal till the end of 2011. [[Scotland national rugby league team|Scotland international]] '''[[Ian Henderson (rugby league)|Ian Henderson]]''' and fellow Scot '''[[James McManus (rugby league)|James McManus]]''' are the only two European players in the NRL [[National Rugby League season 2008|this season]]. ===Indigenous Australians in the NRL=== The first [[Indigenous Australians|Indigenous Australian]] to play in the pre-cursor to the NRL was [[New South Wales Rugby League premiership]] player [[George Green (rugby league)|George Green]] in 1909. Since that time, many high profile indigenous athletes have played in the competition, including standout rugby league test players [[Arthur Beetson]] (first ever aboriginal to captain an Australian national team) and current [[Australia national rugby league team|Test match]] representatives [[Jonathan Thurston]] and [[Greg Inglis]]. A [[Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission]] report found that 11% of NRL players in 2006 were of Aboriginal descent (It was only 7% in the [[Australian Football League|AFL]] in 2005<ref>[http://www.humanrights.gov.au/racial_discrimination/whats_the_score/index.html What's the Score?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>), making the NRL the most popular professional sporting competition for Indigenous Australians.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.humanrights.gov.au/racial_discrimination/whats_the_score/pdf/afl.pdf | title = What's the score? A survey of cultural diversity and racism in Australian sport | publisher = Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commision | accessdate = 2007-11-09}}</ref>. By way of comparison, only 2.3% of the Australian population identified themselves as Indigenous in the 2006 Australian census.<ref>{{Census 2006 AUS | id = 0 | name = Australia | quick = on | accessdate = 2007-11-09}}</ref> ===Pacific Islanders in the NRL=== Most of the players in the National Rugby League are of [[Australia]]n origin, although there are increasing numbers of both [[New Zealand]] and [[Pacific Island]]-born players being selected by clubs. In recent years, [[Polynesian]] players have made up 75 per cent of junior representative teams in New South Wales.<ref>{{cite news | author = [[Roy Masters (sport)]] | url = http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/polynesians-are-a-cracker-but-stuart-wants-change-for-true-test-ofendurance/2006/10/12/1160246263350.html | title = Polynesians are a cracker, but Stuart wants change for true test of endurance | publisher = The Sydney Morning Herald | date = [[October 13]] [[2006]]| accessdate = 2007-01-22 }}</ref> It has been estimated that by 2011-2012 50% of NRL players will be Polynesian. <ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/4428516a10713.html Who's the next star as Kiwis flood NRL - New Zealand's source for sport, rugby, cricket & league news on Stuff.co.nz<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==Statistics== {{further|[[List of NRL records|List of National Rugby League records]]}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;margin-left:1em;float:right" |+'''Top scorers in the National Rugby League''' (from 1998 onwards) !Rank!!Player!!Points |- |1 |style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|LBN}} [[Hazem El Masri]]<ref name="playing">Currently active in National Rugby League</ref>||2,024 |- |2 |style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Andrew Johns]]||1,578 |- |3 |style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Clinton Schifcofske]]||1,496 |- |4 |style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Craig Fitzgibbon]]<ref name="playing" />||1,238 |- |5 |style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Matt Orford]]<ref name="playing" />||1,092 |- |6 |style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Brett Hodgson]]<ref name="playing" />||1,073 |- |7 |style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Michael De Vere]]||1,030 |- |8 |style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Ryan Girdler]]||901 |- |9 |style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Josh Hannay]]||882 |- |10 |style="text-align:left;"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Darren Lockyer]]<ref name="playing" />||834 |- |colspan="3"|<small>As of [[1 January]] [[2007]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/overall_sc1.html | title = Rugby League Tables / Scorers (1971-2006) | publisher = Rugby League Tables & Statistics | accessdate = 2007-01-14}}</ref></small> |} The [[Brisbane Broncos]] have won the most premierships since the creation of the National Rugby League ([[National Rugby League season 1998|1998]], [[National Rugby League season 2000|2000]] and [[National Rugby League season 2006|2006]]) The [[Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club|Bulldogs]] hold the record for the most consecutive wins, having won 17 matches in a row between [[31 March]], [[2002]] and [[3 August]], [[2002]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/teams/all/overall_st.html | title = Rugby League Tables / Streaks / All Teams | publisher = Rugby League Tables & Statistics | accessdate = 2007-01-22}}</ref> However this was the year that they cheated the salary cap by over $1.5 million. The [[Parramatta Eels]] set the records for the highest score and margin of victory in a 74–4 victory over the [[Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks]] on [[23 August]], [[2003]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/teams/all/overall_gr.html | title = Rugby League Tables / Game Records / All Teams | publisher = Rugby League Tables & Statistics | accessdate = 2007-01-22}}</ref> The most victories achieved within a season is 21, held by the [[Melbourne Storm]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/seas/2007.html#lad | title = Rugby League Tables / Season 2006 | publisher = Rugby League Tables & Statistics | accessdate = 2007-01-22}}</ref> Since the first National Rugby League season in 1998, a total of six players have topped the scorers list in a season. However, the only player to have won the title more than once is [[Hazem El Masri]], the overall top scorer in the National Rugby League's history, having claimed the title in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006. [[Hazem El Masri]] was leading the top scoring table in 2005 until sidelined through injury. His tally of 342 points in 2004<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/2004_sc.html | title = Rugby League Tables / Point scorers 2004 | publisher = Rugby League Tables & Statistics | accessdate = 2007-01-22}}</ref> remains the most points scored by an individual in a season. [[Ken Irvine]] is Rugby League's most prolific try scorer with 212 tries, the only player to score 200 or more tries. [[Nigel Vagana]]'s 154 tries scored across all nine seasons of the National Rugby League<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/players/Nigel_Vagana.html | title = Rugby League Tables / Nigel Vagana | publisher = Rugby League Tables & Statistics | accessdate = 2007-01-22}}</ref> makes him the most prolific try scorer in the competition's history ( as [[Ken Irvine]] and [[Steve Menzies]], the games actual highest try scorers, played before the creation of the NRL). [[Nathan Blacklock]] holds the record for the most tries in a season, with 27 scored in 2001<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/2001_sc_t.html | title = Rugby League Tables / Try scorers 2001 | publisher = Rugby League Tables & Statistics | accessdate = 2007-01-22}}</ref> for his team, the [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]]. Three players hold the record for the most points scored in a game; Hazem El Masri, [[Andrew Johns]] and [[Matt Geyer]] with 34 apiece.<ref name="Game records">{{cite web | url = http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/mostingame.html | title = Rugby League Tables / Most In A Game | publisher = Rugby League Tables & Statistics | accessdate = 2007-01-22}}</ref> Only three players have scored five tries in a game; [[Francis Meli]], [[Jamie Lyon]] and [[Nigel Vagana]].<ref name="Game records">{{cite web | url = http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/mostingame.html | title = Rugby League Tables / Most In A Game | publisher = Rugby League Tables & Statistics | accessdate = 2007-01-22}}</ref> It should be noted, however, that the official records of the NRL do not differentiate between the various top level competitions. For more information on official records, see this page [[List of NSWRL/ARL/SL/NRL records]] ==See also== * [[New South Wales Rugby League premiership]] * [[Australian Rugby League]] * [[Super League war]] * [[World Club Challenge]] * [[List of NRL records]] * [[National Rugby League Teams]] * [[List of sports attendance figures]] — the NRL's attendance in a worldwide context * [[Dally M Medal|Dally M Medal for best and fairest]] * [[Clive Churchill Medal]] * [[NRL Rugby League 2]] NRL video game ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.nrl.com.au National Rugby League] * [http://www.australianrugbyleague.com.au Australian Rugby League] * [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/rl_index.html Complete NSWRL/ARL/SL/NRL Stats] * [http://www.foxsports.com.au/league FOX Sports Australia Rugby League Section] * [http://au.sports.yahoo.com/nrl/ NRL on 7 Sports News] * [http://www.leaguehq.com.au/ Fairfax coverage of National Rugby League] * [http://www.nrlnews.com/ Regular NRL News & Information] * [http://sportsaustralia.com/league/ SportsAustralia.com League] * [http://www.masseyratings.com/rate.php?lg=nrl Massey Ratings for NRL] {{National Rugby League}} {{Rugby League in Australia links}} {{Rugby League in New Zealand}} {{Rugby League in Oceania}} {{Sports leagues of Australia}} {{News Corporation}} [[Category:National Rugby League|*]] [[Category:Australian rugby league competitions]] [[Category:News Corporation subsidiaries]] [[Category:Rugby league governing bodies]] [[Category:Nine's Wide World of Sport]] [[Category:Sports governing bodies in Australia]] [[Category:Rugby league competitions]] [[Category:Professional sports leagues]] [[Category:Sports leagues in Australia]] [[Category:1998 in rugby league]] [[eo:Ŝablono:TabelKapoLaŭĈarta]] [[fr:National Rugby League]] [[it:National Rugby League]] [[ja:ナショナル・ラグビー・リーグ]] [[pt:National Rugby League]] [[simple:National Rugby League]]