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The Rugby League History Podcast

The Rugby League History Podcast

By: Lee Addison
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Summary
 The Rugby League History Podcast is a weekly or bi-weekly pod about exactly what it says in the title!

Reflecting what is going in during each stage of the season, renowned historians Andrew Ferguson (Aus) and Prof. Tony Collins (UK) join host Lee Addison to reflect on all that happened in rugby league history around the time each podcast is released!

So expect historical World Cup content during World Cup times, club content during domestic league times and...well you get the picture!

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 admin@rugbyleaguecoach.com.au

You can also message and follow us @rugbyleaguehistorypod on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-rugby-league-history-podcast--7279448/support.Rugby League Coach Rugby World
Episodes
  • WHY CAN'T THE POMS BEAT THE AUSSIES? 54 Years of FAILURE & The Untold History!

    WHY CAN'T THE POMS BEAT THE AUSSIES? 54 Years of FAILURE & The Untold History!
    Nov 9 2026
    Host Lee Addison had a similar memory to Adrian Morley, former Sydney Roosters, Leeds Rhinos, England and Great Britain star of a July day in 1988.

    Great Britain were playing Australia in a match, in a sport neither had fallen in love with yet. Britain were ahead with only moments to go and would go on to win. A seed was sown then for both Lee and Moz.

    A love for rugby league.

    Have no doubt, that win ignited a flame in so many children who went on to play rugby league in the UK.

    Great Britain went on to defeat Australia 26–12 in the third and final test of the 1988 Rugby League Ashes series, ending a 15-game Australian winning streak and a 10-year losing run against the Kangaroos.

    Today, GB or England have not won a match v Australia since 2006.

    But this shouldn’t be a shock.

    There are some disturbing statistics that outline a half-century of British failure against the top rugby league nation.

    In this podcast, we look at the reasons why this may have happened, looking at clues from history. Whilst also looking back on some of the more memorable moments, some of the close shaves and of course, some of the tonkings!

    The Rugby League History Podcast is a weekly or bi-weekly pod about exactly what it says in the title!

    Reflecting what is going in during each stage of the season, renowned historians Andrew Ferguson (Aus) and Prof. Tony Collins (UK) join host Lee Addison to reflect on all that happened in rugby league history around the time each podcast is released! So, expect historical World Cup content during World Cup times, club content during domestic league times and...well you get the picture!

    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 admin@rugbyleaguecoach.com.au You can also message and follow us @rugbyleaguehistorypod on Facebook, Instagram and X

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-rugby-league-history-podcast--7279448/support.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 28 mins
  • THE KIWI COUP! When the Kangaroos LOST Their World Crown!

    THE KIWI COUP! When the Kangaroos LOST Their World Crown!
    Nov 2 2026
    2008.

    Because the year starts with a 2, it doesn’t seem long ago does it? But it was 18 Years ago!

    The iPhone 3G arrived in Australia in July. We are currently on Iphone 18 Pro

    YouTube was only three years old. It now has 2.6 BILLION Users

    Netflix was still a DVD-by-mail company in the US. People still tended to watch television at scheduled times rather than streaming – Netflix is now the top streaming service in the world with 325 million users in 190 countries.

    Newspapers, radio and television were still enormously influential. All three are now in severe, long term decline as digital platforms and social media take over.

    People used taxis and Ubers were still 5 years off being widely used

    Australia were the reigning world rugby league champions and had been since the mid 1970’s. On paper they looked almost unbeatable.

    New Zealand, meanwhile, had never won a World Cup. They had come close. But when it came to the biggest stage, Australia had usually been the team standing in their way. Then came the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

    There’d not been a World Cup for 8 years. 10 teams played in 12 Australian venues to determine who would be champion of the 13th Rugby League World Cup

    And nobody quite knew what was about to happen. Because over the next few weeks, a New Zealand team containing players like Benji Marshall, Sonny Bill Williams, Nathan Cayless and a host of other stars would begin to believe that they were there to win.

    And in the final in Brisbane, the Kiwis did something that had never been done before. This is the story of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup... The year New Zealand shocked the rugby league world.

    The Rugby League History Podcast is a weekly or bi-weekly pod about exactly what it says in the title!

    Reflecting what is going in during each stage of the season, renowned historians Andrew Ferguson (Aus) and Prof. Tony Collins (UK) join host Lee Addison to reflect on all that happened in rugby league history around the time each podcast is released! So, expect historical World Cup content during World Cup times, club content during domestic league times and...well you get the picture!

    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 admin@rugbyleaguecoach.com.au You can also message and follow us @rugbyleaguehistorypod on Facebook, Instagram and X

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-rugby-league-history-podcast--7279448/support.
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • The World Cup Invincibles! Australia’s Showpiece DOMINANCE! 1975–2000

    The World Cup Invincibles! Australia’s Showpiece DOMINANCE! 1975–2000
    Oct 26 2026
    It was a period that started with no mobile phones, everyone scared of sharks thanks to Jaws and were soon to learn of an evil empire ruling the galaxy in Star Wars.

    By the end of the period, we were all connected by the internet, the Jedi once again ruled the galaxy and one nation established themselves as kings of the rugby league world.

    From 1975 to 2000, Australia established an extraordinary record on rugby league’s biggest international stage.

    But what made the Kangaroos so dominant, and who were the players and teams that helped shape this remarkable era?

    In this episode of the Rugby League History Podcast, we look back at the World Cups that defined a generation of international rugby league.

    We revisit the legendary players, memorable matches, fierce rivalries and defining moments that helped Australia maintain its position at the top of the world game.

    From the unique 1975 tournament through to the 2000 World Cup, we explore the history, the heroes and the opposition that challenged the Kangaroos along the way.

    Join us for a trip back through 25 years of rugby league history, celebrating the people, performances and moments that made this era so memorable.

    If you love rugby league history, legendary players and the stories behind the game, this episode is for you! Listen, share and join the conversation about one of the most fascinating periods in international rugby league

    The Rugby League History Podcast is a weekly or bi-weekly pod about exactly what it says in the title!

    Reflecting what is going in during each stage of the season, renowned historians Andrew Ferguson (Aus) and Prof. Tony Collins (UK) join host Lee Addison to reflect on all that happened in rugby league history around the time each podcast is released! So, expect historical World Cup content during World Cup times, club content during domestic league times and...well you get the picture!

    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 admin@rugbyleaguecoach.com.au You can also message and follow us @rugbyleaguehistorypod on Facebook, Instagram and X

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-rugby-league-history-podcast--7279448/support.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 24 mins
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