Footy Zone

If someone told you that France once dominated international rugby league, you would probably laugh. But for more than a decade after World War II, France did dominate international rugby league. But there were some dark forces at play, which attacked the foundations of the game - eventually

leading to a massive decline. Can rugby league be restored to its former glory in France?

Mike Rylance has written some fantastic books on the history of rugby league in France, including ''The Forbidden Game' and 'The Struggle and the Daring' and he joins us to help answer some of these questions.

In this ep, Rob is joined by League Historian Terry Williams. Together they look at this important feeder competition from its earliest days in the 1963, through the Metro Cup era and finally to today. What happened to a club in Liverpool and what were their colours? How did Cronulla and Penrith get the nod to be promoted to the top tier comp? How did the 2nd Division evolve into an Inter-State Championship played as a curtain raiser to the ARL Grand Final? It's all here as Radio League Unlimited presents Rugby League: That's the Way it Was.

DADDY, WHAT DID YOU DO DURING THE WAR???

A look back at the most divisive period in our game's history. Rob is joined by author Mike Coleman, author of the book, Super League - The Inside Story. The story starts before a player cheque was even signed, with the commissioning of the Bradley Report.

On one side there was Super League, backed by Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation. On the other was the ARL, headed by Ken Arthurson supported by Kerry Packer and Optus Vision. At stake was the bounty of broadcasting rights and supremacy in the sport.

Super League had attracted several existing clubs, and introduced two new clubs. The ARL fought to keep the remaining teams loyal, with threats of court cases and the promise for a share in the spoils.

When the ARL tried to block the new league, Super League, headed by John Ribot ran one season parallel to the ARL's in 1997.

At the conclusion of that season a peace deal was reached and the two leagues united to form the National Rugby League.

But what price peace? Hundreds of millions of dollars ripped up, friendships destroyed and a cynical fan base that would take a long time to win back over.