It aired on Channel Ten with Ray Warren and Keith Barnes the commentators for many years.

Promoter Colin McLennan, who also brought to Australia the jazz legend Benny Goodman and comedians Dudley Moore and Peter Cook, was the man who brought the mid-week Cup to life.

Initially Leichhardt Oval in Sydney was the main venue, though later matches were played at Lang Park in Brisbane, Parramatta Stadium and various country centres in New South Wales.

The competition was scrapped after the increasingly professional clubs resented the additional burdens on their players caused by the mid-week games.

In 1990 it was replaced by a preseason challenge cup played for only by the Sydney Rugby League premiership teams.