Fully illustrated history of the New South Wales Rugby Union, the first union in the southern hemisphere.

From its earliest days as a game of rough and tumble with few rules, the game of rugby union in Australia owes its very existence to the dedication and commitment of the members of the New South Wales Rugby Union and its flagship team, the Waratahs. From the battle over rules which eventually led to the formation of Australian Rules Football as a separate code, to the lure of pay-for-play professionalism of rugby league, and to the cessation of all rugby in Australia during World War I, the New South Wales Rugby Union kept the game alive.

'Guardians Of The Game' is the fascinating story of Rugby Union's origins and development in New South Wales and Australia, of the people and players, of pioneers like the Arnold brothers and of latter-day rugby superstars like Nick Farr-Jones and David Campese.

As the 2005 Waratahs lay claim to their first-ever Super-12 win, it is fitting that this history of Australia's oldest rugby club be published, and that the deeds of the men and women of the New South Wales Rugby Union who kept the rugby flame burning through the game's darkest hours be recognised.