The History of NSWRL & the Evolution of Rugby League Trading Cards

The New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL), established in 1908, laid the foundation for professional rugby league in Australia. Emerging from a split with rugby union, the NSWRL introduced a faster, more spectator-friendly code that quickly captured the public’s imagination. Over time, it evolved into the modern National Rugby League (NRL), but the NSWRL’s legacy remains central to the game’s history.

Alongside the sport’s growth came the rise of rugby league memorabilia, especially trading cards. The first rugby league cards appeared in the early 1900s, often issued with tobacco products. These early cards featured sepia portraits and action poses of pioneering players, becoming treasured collectibles. As the game professionalized, so did the cards—moving to color prints, action shots, and glossy finishes by the 1980s and ’90s. Companies like Scanlens and later Select and TLA Sports fueled fan engagement with seasonal releases, limited editions, and rare inserts.

Today, rugby league trading cards are more than just collectibles—they’re snapshots of history, linking generations of fans to the players and teams they love. From the curious base to cardboard rarities, these cards continue to tell the story of rugby league’s rich and evolving heritage.