The Story of Rugby
Season 1
Created by:
Network: TVNZ 1
Season aired: 2019-08-23
Overview
A unique, premium contemporary documentary series which explores the vibrant social history and impact of rugby around the world - from its origins through to the present day - for a massive global audience.
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Episodes · 6
A Gentleman's Game
The origins of rugby from European village football games in the Middle Ages to recreational hobby played by the well-to-do sons of the Establishment of 19th century Britain.
An International Game
How rugby spread from British universities to men of all social classes in the biggest Empire in history, changing nations political fortunes along the way.
A Global Game
How the U.S.A. received then adapted rugby into America’s national game – and how France overcame British resistance to remake rugby as ‘the beautiful game’ on a level that astonished the world.
A Power Game
How rugby’s misguided attempts to cling to past glories allowed media visionary Rupert Murdoch to swoop in and turn a 100-year-old staunchly amateur game fully professional.
A Professional Game
How France and England became the most powerful rugby nations in the world, and tiny, remote New Zealand became the number one team in rugby history.
Tomorrow's Game
How rugby returned to the Olympics in 2016 and finally opened its doors to women in a bold new era of change – in the process changing rugby from a niche into a sport for everyone in the world.
