Rugby Union
A full-contact sport played with 15 players on each team, competing on a rectangular field, using skills such as running, passing, kicking and tackling.
Rugby union, often referred to as just rugby, was created in 1823 in England. Rugby was first reported by to have been played in Australia in 1829.
The Australian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) was established in 1926 as the national body for rugby in Australia. 1
Discover more about rugby union through the Clearinghouse evidence base:
- Modified Sports - adaptations that make rugby union more inclusive and accessible.
- Australian Sport History - history and Hall of Fame information about rugby union.
Evolution:
- Australian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) [1926-2000]
- Australian Rugby Union [2000-2017]
- Rugby Australia [2017-]
Participation
An estimated 73,500 Australians [aged 15+] participated in rugby union at least once in 2024. 2
An estimated 36,500 Australian children [aged 0-14] participated in rugby union at least once in 2024. 2
An estimated 13,500 Australian women [aged 15+] and an estimated 59,000 Australian men [aged 15+] participated in rugby union at least once in 2024. 2
Explore further participation statistics for rugby union through the AusPlay online portal., opens in a new tab
Governing body
Rugby Australia, opens in a new tab is an organisation recognised by government at all levels as the National controlling body for the sport of rugby union in Australia.
Prior to the creation of the ARFU, rugby in Australia was controlled by state organisations.
The ARFU renamed itself to Australian Rugby Union in 2000. The organisation was again renamed in 2017 to Rugby Australia. 1
REFERENCES
- Our History, opens in a new tab, Rugby Union, (accessed 12 January 2026)
- AusPlay Data Portal: Participation by activity, opens in a new tab, Australian Sports Commission, (accessed 15 October 2025)
Documents
The Clearinghouse for Sport has sought permission from relevant organisations for the inclusion of their documents in this archive. Copyright ownership remains vested with the organisation and as such permission from the copyright owner should be sought if you wish to communicate, adapt or reproduce these documents.
- Rugby Australia Annual Report 2023[PDF • 6.07 mb]
- Rugby Australia Annual Report 2022[PDF • 6.64 mb]
- Rugby Australia Annual Report 2021[PDF • 21.96 mb]
- Rugby Australia Annual Report 2020[PDF • 6.14 mb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2017[PDF • 11.41 mb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2016[PDF • 10.75 mb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2015[PDF • 19.5 mb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2014[PDF • 79.94 mb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2013[PDF • 66.52 mb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2012[PDF • 19.18 mb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2011[PDF • 15.71 mb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2010[PDF • 7.44 mb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2009[PDF • 10.83 mb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2008[PDF • 16.38 mb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2007[PDF • 208.95 kb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2006[PDF • 10.54 mb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2005[PDF • 8.15 mb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2004[PDF • 39.5 mb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2003[PDF • 2.8 mb]
- Australian Rugby Union Annual Report 2002[PDF • 29.37 mb]
- Australian Rugby Football Union Annual Report 1993[PDF • 3.24 mb]
- Australian Rugby Football Union Annual Report 1992[PDF • 2.69 mb]
- Australian Rugby Football Union Annual Report 1991[PDF • 2.61 mb]
- Australian Rugby Football Union Annual Report 1990[PDF • 2.39 mb]
- Australian Rugby Football Union Annual Report 1989[PDF • 2.94 mb]
- Australian Rugby Football Union Annual Report 1988[PDF • 1.81 mb]
- Australian Rugby Football Union Annual Report 1987[PDF • 1.66 mb]
- Australian Rugby Football Union Annual Report 1986[PDF • 2.23 mb]
- Australian Rugby Football Union Annual Report 1985[PDF • 2.08 mb]
- Australian Rugby Football Union Annual Report 1984[PDF • 2.08 mb]
- Australian Rugby Football Union Annual Report 1982[PDF • 1.47 mb]
- Australian Rugby Football Union Annual Report 1981[PDF • 1.38 mb]
Rugby Australia Annual Report for 1983, 1994-2001, 2018, 2019 not held.
- Australian Rugby Strategic Plan 2016-2020[PDF • 14.1 mb]
- National participation game plan : transforming our game for future generations[PDF • 2.45 mb]
