Rugby union in Queensland has traditionally been one of the most popular professional and recreational team sports. The earliest known Rugby football matches were played in Brisbane from 1876 through to 1878. Rugby struggled to gain a foothold until it got its break in 1882 with the first inter-colonial matches against New South Wales, and the formation of the Northern Rugby Union. Between 1885 and 1887 it surpassed the popularity of Australian rules football in Queensland after the leading schools association decided to play it exclusively and after 1890 spread virtually unopposed throughout the colony.