Advertise on podcast: Ashes Rugby League

Between 1957 and 1970, rugby league didn't just change on the field. It changed as a product, as entertainment, and as an international sport.   And a lot of the rugby league we recognise today starts taking shape right here.   In just 13 years, rugby league went from a four-team World Cup with no final to international tournaments, television, massive club rivalries and some of the most famous moments in the game's history.   And there's something else happening during this period that would be almost impossible for a modern rugby league fan to appreciate.     The period between 1957 and 1970 was one of the most volatile, transformative, and momentous eras in modern human history. It was defined by the Cold War, the race to the moon, the collapse of global empires, and a massive societal upheaval driven by civil rights and youth counter-culture. Rugby league was also coming into people's living rooms for the first time.   Britain was already televising rugby league before Australia really got regular television coverage of the game. The first televised rugby league match in Australia came in 1961. And by the late 1960s, major rugby league matches were becoming regular television events. But Britain was ahead of the game. The BBC had shown the Challenge Cup Final as early as 1948. Great Britain against New Zealand from Swinton was televised in 1951. And by 1965, the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy was bringing rugby league into people's homes on a regular basis. And that matters. Because this is the beginning of rugby league becoming something different. It wasn't just something you WENT to watch anymore. You could sit in your living room and watch it. You could hear the commentators. You could see the stars. You could follow the big games without actually being at the ground. And by the time we get to 1970, Eddie Waring's voice is becoming synonymous with British rugby league, television is changing the way people consume sport, and the game is beginning to look much more like the professional entertainment product we recognise today. This is the story of how rugby league came into your living room. 1957. 1960. 1968. 1970. Four years. Thirteen years of change. And by the end of it, rugby league would never quite be the same again. Oh, and the World Cup Trophy got STOLEN!  Two of the game's finest historians, are taking you back to relive the story of the Rugby League World Cups between 1957 and 1970. The Rugby League History Podcast is a weekly or bi-weekly pod about exactly what it says in the title! Andrew Ferguson is a much-published author / writer on the subject of rugby league history, is co-owner of the amazing Rugby League Project and co-host of the Fergo and the Freak podcast. Professor Tony Collins is the DOYEN of rugby league history. He’s a professor of history, fourth generation Hull KR supporter, and the author of 'Rugby’s Great Split', 'Rugby League: A People’s History', and last year’s ‘Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader’.  Host Lee Addison is a former coach at NRL clubs, World Cups and Elite High Schools. He is the owner of Rugby League Coach. Please email Lee with questions or suggestions for the podcast on [email protected] You can also message and follow us @rugbyleaguehistorypod on Facebook, Instagram and X.  @rugbyleaguehistorypod

Imagine if you can it's October 1954...    72 years ago.   In the UK, bomb sites from WW2 still scar many cities. Food rationing has only just ended and most families don't own a television. Winston Churchill is approaching 80 and serving his second term as Prime Minister.   On the other side of the world, Australia and New Zealand are embracing a new era of post-war optimism. They’ve both enjoyed a royal visit. Families are dreaming of a brick home, a car in the driveway and a brighter future.  Sydney was rugby league mad, in Brisbane it was growing fast. But in France, like so many of its towns and cities, the sport only just about survived after the war. Less than a decade earlier, it had been outlawed. Rugby league was almost wiped from existence. But, it refused to die. In October 1954, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand are heading to France and it’s not for a Test series.   For the very first time, rugby league will crown a World Champion.   Two of the game's finest historians, are taking you back to relive the story of the first Rugby League World Cup in 1954. The Rugby League History Podcast is a weekly or bi-weekly pod about exactly what it says in the title! Andrew Ferguson is a much-published author / writer on the subject of rugby league history, is co-owner of the amazing Rugby League Project and co-host of the Fergo and the Freak podcast. Professor Tony Collins is the DOYEN of rugby league history. He’s a professor of history, fourth generation Hull KR supporter, and the author of 'Rugby’s Great Split', 'Rugby League: A People’s History', and last year’s ‘Roy Francis: Rugby’s Forgotten Black Leader’.  Host Lee Addison is a former coach at NRL clubs, World Cups and Elite High Schools. He is the owner of Rugby League Coach. Please email Lee with questions or suggestions for the podcast on [email protected] You can also message and follow us @rugbyleaguehistorypod on Facebook, Instagram and X.  @rugbyleaguehistorypod

It’s squeaky bum time at the bottom and the top Wigan are a team whose momentum won’t stop Giants off the bottom after four in a row Bradford and Hull suffered a devastating blow Many results didn’t go how we both thought For how many pounds will Super League be bought?  Super League 360 covers the top tier of the British game, as well as some lower division and NRL news! Lee Addison, based in Australia, hosts. Intrepid scribe John Davidson, a UK based Australian journalist, provides analysis whilst Lee Addison, a UK born coach in Australia, hosts the podcast, and also brings plenty of opinions. Lee has coached at NRL clubs and World Cups and owns rugbyleaguecoach.com.au. He can be found @rugbyleaguecoach on Facebook and Instagram and also hosts the Rugby League Coach Podcast. John is on X at @johnnyddavidson

The weather in England will soon start to be colder  John once again became another year older Hull FC with the shock of the round The Giants announced that they’re moving ground Wigan were good and played like a top biller But Leeds pipped Wakey in a Belle Vue thriller Super League 360 covers the top tier of the British game, as well as some lower division and NRL news! Lee Addison, based in Australia, hosts. Intrepid scribe John Davidson, a UK based Australian journalist, provides analysis whilst Lee Addison, a UK born coach in Australia, hosts the podcast, and also brings plenty of opinions. Lee has coached at NRL clubs and World Cups and owns rugbyleaguecoach.com.au. He can be found @rugbyleaguecoach on Facebook and Instagram, John is on X at @johnnyddavidson

Super League 360 covers the top tier of the British game, as well as some lower division and NRL news! Lee Addison, based in Australia, hosts. Intrepid scribe John Davidson, a UK based Australian journalist, provides analysis whilst Lee Addison, a UK born coach in Australia, hosts the podcast, and also brings plenty of opinions. Lee has coached at NRL clubs and World Cups and owns rugbyleaguecoach.com.au. He can be found @rugbyleaguecoach on Facebook and Instagram, John is on X at @johnnyddavidson

Paul Rowley didn’t last as coach very long  Cas beating Leeds made us look very wrong !  Hull FCs coach looks ready to cry Leigh are showing they are never say die Congrats to the Giants, their first win in 11  Hoping Scott Dureau and Wakey’s photo man rest easy in heaven    Super League 360 covers the top tier of the British game, as well as some lower division and NRL news! Lee Addison, based in Australia, hosts. Intrepid scribe John Davidson, a UK based Australian journalist, provides analysis whilst Lee Addison, a UK born coach in Australia, hosts the podcast, and also brings plenty of opinions. Lee has coached at NRL clubs and World Cups and owns rugbyleaguecoach.com.au. He can be found @rugbyleaguecoach on Facebook and Instagram, John is on X at @johnnyddavidson

Football's not coming home, as the saying goes A home? Huddersfield don’t know if they’ll have one of those!  John wrote about Keighley and the locals went mad  Saints needed a win, ‘cause last week was bad! Will London end up in the Super League top-tier ? Are the NRL giving up on it? Because that’s the fear   Super League 360 covers the top tier of the British game, as well as some lower division and NRL news! Lee Addison, based in Australia, hosts. Intrepid scribe John Davidson, a UK based Australian journalist, provides analysis whilst Lee Addison, a UK born coach in Australia, hosts the podcast, and also brings plenty of opinions. Lee has coached at NRL clubs and World Cups and owns rugbyleaguecoach.com.au. He can be found @rugbyleaguecoach on Facebook and Instagram, John is on X at @johnnyddavidson

St Helens and Wire got a big headache Both losses would have been tough to take York and Bulls both chalked wins up Giants look condemned to the Wooden Spoon cup Leeds set the pace, KR lost to Leigh For the all the updates, here are John and Lee Super League 360 covers the top tier of the British game, as well as some lower division and NRL news! Lee Addison, based in Australia, hosts. Intrepid scribe John Davidson, a UK based Australian journalist, provides analysis whilst Lee Addison, a UK born coach in Australia, hosts the podcast, and also brings plenty of opinions. Lee has coached at NRL clubs and World Cups and owns rugbyleaguecoach.com.au. He can be found @rugbyleaguecoach on Facebook and Instagram, John is on X at @johnnyddavidson

The Prime Minister in waiting turned up at Magic Will his reign be a success or will it be tragic Tragic is a term that Giants could use As York destined them to once again lose Leeds and Leigh clocked up a big score   Wigan and Saints had a close one once more Super League 360 covers the top tier of the British game, as well as some lower division and NRL news! Lee Addison, based in Australia, hosts. Intrepid scribe John Davidson, a UK based Australian journalist, provides analysis whilst Lee Addison, a UK born coach in Australia, hosts the podcast, and also brings plenty of opinions.  Lee has coached at NRL clubs and World Cups and owns rugbyleaguecoach.com.au. He can be found @rugbyleaguecoach on Facebook and Instagram, John is on X at @johnnyddavidson

Warrington dug deep to beat Catalans Did Leeds reduce Hull KR to also rans? Wigan were scrappy in Humberside St Helens’ win shows they’re like Jekyll and Hyde Leigh did well in France’s heat York show they’re still not an easy beat Super League 360 covers the top tier of the British game, as well as some lower division and NRL news! Lee Addison, based in Australia, hosts. Intrepid scribe John Davidson, a UK based Australian journalist, provides analysis whilst Lee Addison, a UK born coach in Australia, hosts the podcast, and also brings plenty of opinions.  Lee has coached at NRL clubs and World Cups and owns rugbyleaguecoach.com.au. He can be found @rugbyleaguecoach on Facebook and Instagram, John is on X at @johnnyddavidson

Wigan handed the Knights a spanking   York’s missed tackles they have to be thanking    The Wire had a night to forget    Leeds are worth a title winning bet     Sorry about  last weeks podcast break    We did that for John’s domestic stake! Super League 360 covers the top tier of the British game, as well as some lower division and NRL news! Lee Addison, based in Australia, hosts. Intrepid scribe John Davidson, a UK based Australian journalist, provides analysis whilst Lee Addison, a UK born coach in Australia, hosts the podcast, and also brings plenty of opinions.  Lee has coached at NRL clubs and World Cups and owns rugbyleaguecoach.com.au. He can be found @rugbyleaguecoach on Facebook and Instagram, John is on X at @johnnyddavidson

Super League 360’s back, Lee and John are here But the sport is not the same without John Kear He loved the game and it shone through As a man, as a coach and in the commentary box too He coached England, France, Hull FC and Wales. But the cup win for Sheffield is the pick of all the tales. So many players he gave their first starts A coach and a life that touched many hearts Rest in Peace John Kear who tragically passed away suddenly on Sunday 31 May Super League 360 covers the top tier of the British game, as well as some lower division and NRL news! Lee Addison, based in Australia, hosts. Intrepid scribe John Davidson, a UK based Australian journalist, provides analysis whilst Lee Addison, a UK born coach in Australia, hosts the podcast, and also brings plenty of opinions.  Lee has coached at NRL clubs and World Cups and owns rugbyleaguecoach.com.au. He can be found @rugbyleaguecoach on Facebook and Instagram, John is on X at @johnnyddavidson

Cas smashed Saints whats going on? Huddersfield lost again, are they well and truly gone? Hull KR beat Wigans Youth side, Cartwright has turned the Catalans tide Hull FC are in a world of pain, Toulouse lost to Wakey, a close one again Super League 360 covers the top tier of the British game, as well as some lower division and NRL news! Lee Addison, based in Australia, hosts. Intrepid scribe John Davidson, a UK based Australian journalist, provides analysis whilst Lee Addison, a UK born coach in Australia, hosts the podcast, and also brings plenty of opinions.  Lee has coached at NRL clubs and World Cups and owns rugbyleaguecoach.com.au. He can be found @rugbyleaguecoach on Facebook and Instagram, John is on X at @johnnyddavidson

Two promoted teams and Keir Starmer are slipping down Yet Huddersfield fans all have a big frown They are the ones in the wooden spoon spot Saints are now sat on top of the lot  Leigh are getting their act in gear For all the goss, Lee and John are here! Super League 360 covers the top tier of the British game, as well as some lower division and NRL news! Lee Addison, based in Australia, hosts. Intrepid scribe John Davidson, a UK based Australian journalist, provides analysis whilst Lee Addison, a UK born coach in Australia, hosts the podcast, and also brings plenty of opinions.  Lee has coached at NRL clubs and World Cups and owns rugbyleaguecoach.com.au. He can be found @rugbyleaguecoach on Facebook and Instagram, John is on X at @johnnyddavidson

This weekend was all about the cup!  Wigan and Hull KR were the teams that got up They’ll make the trip down Wembley Way In the hope that it will be their special day But this week coming its back to the league And the week to week that is causing fatigue   Super League 360 covers the top tier of the British game, as well as some lower division and NRL news! Lee Addison, based in Australia, hosts. Intrepid scribe John Davidson, a UK based Australian journalist, provides analysis whilst Lee Addison, a UK born coach in Australia, hosts the podcast, and also brings plenty of opinions.  Lee has coached at NRL clubs and World Cups and owns rugbyleaguecoach.com.au. He can be found @rugbyleaguecoach on Facebook and Instagram, John is on X at @johnnyddavidson