The Rugby League Digest presents: The Super League War

In this chapter, we discuss the infancy of Pay TV in Australia, the many "sliding doors" moments involving rugby league, the sheer power of Packer and Murdoch, the consortium that could have stopped the war, Pay TV's race for content, the Optus Vision grand final debacle and much, much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode the RLD examines Super League signing the game's top referees, the ARL's banning of the refs, the crushing defection of the English Rugby Football League, Maurice Lindsay's influence, The English switch to summer, NZ and the Warriors go as well, despite being a Super League afterthought, the beginnings of the Pacific revolution and much more!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...

In this episode, the RLD dissects the pivotal signing of the Newcastle Knights to the ARL. We analyse the bungled Super League pitch, the role of the Knight's administration, Gus and Bozo , 'gee up' culture, Joey's signature, legendary coach and honourary Novocastrian Mal Reilly, 'Ausies for the ARL', the formation of the Hunter Mariners and much, much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

Ricky Stuart, Andrew's all time favourite player (despite that unpleasant incident at Marathon Stadium in '94), was a key piece for Super League and a key piece for the ARL to target for a backflip. In this episode, we discuss the fall out from the Raiders' defection and the double standards over the meaning of loyalty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The culmination of this fascinating chapter sees Michael return from a research rabbit hole with as many questions as answers. Who knew what? And when? "Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!". One thing is for certain, the game lost one of its true characters with the passing of the great Peter 'Bullfrog' Moore. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...

Part one of a spellbinding chapter on one of the game’s great characters. From helicopters at Belmore, his windowless office/lair, to the rich culture and track record of success and failure of the ‘family club’. Moore’s undeniable passion for his club, players and rugby league is juxtaposed against a reputation as a shrewd old school rogue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...

In this installment we discuss the ARL's marquee signing of Brad Fittler, money being thrown around like confetti, the effective strategy of quantity over quality, Bozo putting the squeeze on Matthew Ridge, an elderly lady abusing Ian Roberts, Chinese restaurants, and the rise and fall of footballing prodigy Adam Ritson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this chapter we discuss the ARL getting wind of the raid, the key players in the fightback, how Optus Vision money hamstrung the ARL, Packer envoy Graham Richardson, the unbreakable bond between Arthurson and Quayle, Bozo and Gus' influence, and an unholy alliance with the player agents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

War rooms, whiteboards, private jets, a major hiccup in Brisbane, comic relief in Auckland, in this installment we discuss the Super League recruitment strategies, flaws of the raid, and the great Graham Murray. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is part one of Chapter Seven: Blitzkrieg. We discuss the disappearance of Star League, analyse Super League's "vision", the signing of key coaches, the machinations of the April Fools Day raids and much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this instalment, we discuss the ARL's 1995 launch with music superstar Yanni, the ignominy of a supposedly triumphant opening weekend, the efforts of the expansion clubs, and Rupert Murdoch signing off on war! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this chapter we discuss the impact of the World Sevens on Super League, the legendary meeting of February 6th 1995, Kerry Packer's threats and much, much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this chapter, we discuss the last magnificent Kangaroo Tour, Ken Arthurson's dash back to Sydney for a confronting meeting with News Limited, legendary Kerry Packer reactions and much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s 1994, and there is acrimony in the air. The Brisbane Broncos and the game’s administration are on a collision course. Differing philosophies, petty squabbling and some legitimate grievances lead us to the cusp of the most destructive period in the game’s history!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final part of this chapter, we examine the gains and missteps of the ARL under Ken Arthurson, who wasted no time in dragging Rugby League into the present after taking over from his close friend Kevin Humphreys. For good and for bad, the path to Super League was in many ways paved by the decisions of the League in the 1980s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael and Andrew discuss the Kevin Humphreys era of the game, the move into the Winfield Cup era, the state of the game in 1983, and much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael and Andrew analyse the lead up to the grand final, all the memorable on field action, compare some of the all time great backlines, and much more!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the penultimate instalment of our 1994 season recap, we look at the on field fortunes of the eventual grand finalists, Canterbury and Canberra, and go in-depth on a compelling finals series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A prelude to war, rugby league’s much loved 1994 season (part 2).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the first episode of The Rugby League Digest’s in-depth investigation of the Super League War. We begin the saga by taking a deep dive into the season before the war, 1994. An historical high point for the game before it all came crashing down, in this first instalment of our season recap we put the game in context through the Rugby League Week player Q&As, review an impressive batc...

With our all new Super League series beginning next week, we revisit an origin story fundamental to any understanding of the war: the formation of the Brisbane Broncos. From the competing bids to perpetual tension with the NSWRL and QRL, we explore all aspects of the casting of the die that would change Rugby League forever. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rugby League Digest is back, and we are extremely excited to announce a new series taking a deep dive into the Super League war. From its origins to reunification and beyond, taking in the view from every angle, this is the definitive account of the saga that changed Rugby League forever. In this opening salvo, Michael and Andrew offer their personal thoughts and recollections on the War, befo...