Weigall Oval

"The effect on rugby union by the new rugby league was pronounced, sending it into existence in name only. World War One compounded its problems.

"Within a decade of rugby league emerging the rugby union game in Australia virtually ceased to exist, with the final Australian Test side playing in 1914.

"By 1919 the only competitive rugby union in Australia was held between six teams in Sydney, with all matches played on leisurely Saturday afternoons at Sydney Grammar's Weigall Oval. There was no club rugby union in Queensland, Newcastle or elsewhere for the next decade.

"During the 1920s NSW 'Invitational XV' sides were put together from Sydney-siders for matches against touring sides from New Zealand and South Africa. On visits across the Tasman Sea, these NSW sides often included 'known passengers' to make up the required player numbers. Even Queenslanders and South Africans who happened to be in Sydney were invited to join.

"Sixty years later the ARU claimed some of these 1920s NSW sides as 'Australian' teams and a number of their matches were granted Test status as the game's modern administration sought to forge a continuous link back to the pre-1908 rugby era" - Sean Fagan / rl1908.com