Australian Rugby Union: Rugby is one of the many sports played in Australia. The history of rugby in Australia can be traced back to 1864, when the first rugby club was established at Sydney University. However, there is evidence that the sport was played since the 1820s.
Technically, the sport is known as “rugby union” in the world of rugby. It has emerged as one of the most popular winter sport in Australia. In the country, rugby is practiced as both recreational and professional sport. The Australian Rugby Union or the ARU is the governing body of rugby in Australia.
Rugby in Australia was administered by various State Unions like New South Wales Rugby Union, Queensland Rugby Union and others. In 1947, the necessity of a core governing body for the sport was felt by these State Unions. Australia attended a meeting with the International Rugby Board or the IRB in 1948. Finally, the Australian Rugby Union was formed in 1949. The first meet of the organization was on 25 November in 1949 with representatives from eleven State Unions. The Australian Rugby Union was established as a company in 1985 and in 1997, the organization was reckoned as the Australian Rugby Union Ltd.
The Australian Rugby Union or the ARU is a member of the International Rugby Board or the IRB. The organization is associated with a number of Unions across the country.
The Unions, with full membership of the Australian Rugby Union are—
- Australian Capital Territory Rugby Union or the ACT
- New South Wales Rugby Union or the NSW
- Northern Territory Rugby Union or the NT
- Queensland Rugby Union or the QLD
- South Australia Rugby Union or the SA
- Tasmanian Rugby Union or the TAS
- Victorian Rugby Union or the VIC
- Western Australia Rugby Union or the WA
There are also a number of Unions affiliated to the Australian Rugby Union or the ARU. The Unions are—
- Australian Barbarian Rugby Club
- Australian Juniors Rugby Union
- Australian Rugby Football Schools Union
- Australian Services Rugby Union
- Australian Society of Rugby Referees
- Australian Universities Rugby Union
- Australian Womens Rugby
- Classic Wallabies
The Australian rugby teams are regulated by the Australian Rugby Union or the ARU. The teams, which are governed by the organization, are—
- The national mens rugby union team, known as Wallabies
- The Under 21s team
- The Under 19s team
- The national womens rugby union team, known as Wallaroo
