ABSTRACT
League had completely gained the upper hand, but it had not, as Chris Cunneen argues, won the rugby war at this point.42 This line of reasoning fails to acknowledge the achievements of Union authorities since the game's inception. From a player-participation base, Union still outnumbered League. The MRU, which organized the majority of rugby competitions in Sydney, fielded 38 senior teams while the NSWRL fielded 42 teams.43 Given the smaller number of members in League teams, there was very little difference in player numbers. However, Union in Sydney was not limited to the MRU. There were a number of other independent organizations, of which the City and Suburban Association was the largest with approximately 400 players,44 which ensured more senior Sydney footballers played Union. In country areas the amateur sport was even more popular. There were 32 country branches affiliated with the NSWRU; only 12 centres played League.45 Furthermore, League had no nurseries in the educational systems until 1913 when E. R. Larkin (later to die at Gallipoli) persuaded some Catholic schools to take up the game.46 The same year as League began in the Marist Brothers' Schools, Union authorities could boast of a metropolitan organization with 94 teams as well as thriving competitions in the Greater Public and denominational schools.47 The only area in which League had more players than Union was in the junior metropolitan ranks. From 13 junior branches in 1908, five years later there were only two districts and a cadet team playing Union,48 while junior League was played in nine districts.49 Overall, while League leased the major grounds, had popular patronage and the resultant financial advantages, Union had a larger organizational infrastructure and a far greater player base.
