This article deals with the history of the current National Rugby League. For histories of prior Australian first grade competitions, see New South Wales Rugby League premiership, Australian Rugby League and Super League (Australia). The history of the National Rugby League (NRL), the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia, goes back to December 1997, when it was formed in the aftermath of the Super League war of the mid-1990s. The NRL has, in its relatively brief history, enjoyed growth and record attendance figures.