[2] Rugby historian Sean Fagan cites a match played in 1868 in Fremantle by a team from West Yorkshire Regiment against a local sides in Perth on the grounds of the Bishop’s Collegiate School as an early example of rugby being played in the colony[3] however historian Geoff Christian counters that these and other early matches were likely played under the Victorian (Australian) rules but that the local paper, the Fremantle Herald advocating strongly for the introduction of British rules in the colony based on the involvement of the English team.

[5] Rugby was the leading football code in the colony until the mid 1880s when its popularity was overtaken by Australian rules.

[clarification needed] A 4 team competition commenced in 1895 with the I Zingari, Fremantle, Swans and Midland Junction Club's taking part.

[9] Competition in Perth ceased around the end of 1905, though the game continued to be played in the Goldfields region, particularly by the Kalgoorlie Rugby Club.

A visiting Sydney side played Central in June 1909 in front of a large crowd at the Esplanade.

[13] Rugby had not been played in WA for 23 years however it was revived in June 1928 when two teams contested a match in Perth.

[18] The competition was strong enough to field a West Australian team to compete against the touring Great Britain however they were beaten 71 to 3 in front of a crowd of 6,000.