The National Rugby League came into existence in 1998 when the Australian Rugby League and Super League competitions were merged into one. Clubs from Australia and New Zealand take part in this annual competition. The league is immensely popular and matches are played in front of packed stadiums.
It is also considered to be the toughest and most contested league in the world.
Since its inception in 1998, 23 teams have taken part in this league. This year, 16 teams will take part. They are:
- Brisbane Broncos
- Bulldogs
- Canberra Raiders
- Cronulla Sharks
- Gold Coast Titans
- Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
- Melbourne Storm
- New Zealand Warriors
- Newcastle Knights
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- North Queensland Cowboys
- Parramatta Eels
- Penrith Panthers
- St George Illawarra Dragons
- South Sydney Rabbitohs
- Sydney Roosters
- Wests Tigers
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The national Rugby League was formed so that more amount of revenue could be generated from the game. This would, in turn, help the clubs in building strong teams. In 1997, there were 22 teams playing in the two leagues: Australian Rugby League and Super League.When the league was first played there were 20 teams in the fray.
However, Hunter Mariners, Western Reds, South Queenslander Crushes and Adelaide Rams withdrew their names from the competition leaving behind the 16 teams that are currently competing now.
Format: The 16 teams are divided into two groups of eight each. Each team plays 24 matches during the season, which runs for 25 weeks. One team plays six of the other seven teams in the group once and the remaining team twice. It also plays two matches against all the teams in the other group on a home-and-away basis. Two points are awarded for a win and one for a draw. The top four teams from both the groups advances to the knock out phase.
The top eight teams then compete in a series of knockout and sudden-death games over four weeks in August and September. In the end the remaining two teams compete in the Grand Final, held on the first Sunday of October.
