On 4 July 1914 the greatest rugby league test match of all time took place – the third and decisive game of the 1914 Ashes series. Led by Harold Wagstaff, a nine-man British Lions team overcame Australia 14-6 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It set the template for international rugby league and became the benchmark for what was expected of players.
But why did it become known as the ‘Rorke’s Drift’ test match, despite the towering performance of Wagstaff? The new ‘Rugby Reloaded’ looks at the controversies that dogged the game and explains why it became the sport’s totemic match.
For more on the history of rugby and the other football codes, take a look at www.rugbyreloaded.com (where you can find the links for this episode) and follow me on Twitter at @collinstony