May 7: Stacey the Kiwi icon; City-Country's finale
On this day in rugby league history, the birth of a Kiwis legend, the arrival of golden point extra time in State of Origin, and the end of a great rivalry.
1976
Warriors and New Zealand rugby league legend Stacey Jones was born. He played in the Warriors' first season as a 19-year-old in 1995, quickly earning a spot in the World Cup squad for the national side by the end of the season.
He helped carry his club to the minor premiership and a grand final berth and won the Golden Boot for international player of the year in 2002. He finished up at the Warriors holding the club records for most appearances and most points, and played in 46 Tests for the Kiwis.
2003
The ARL implemented the golden point rule for the State of Origin series, with each team to play five minutes for the first half of extra time and an unlimited period for the second half until a point is scored to determine the winner.
2005
The Sharks and Warriors faced off in the first NRL game in Perth since 1999, with Cronulla five-eighth Adam Dykes winning the match for his team 28-24 with a 79th-minute try. On the same day the Canberra Raiders pulled off a remarkable comeback against the Panthers in Penrith, winning 26-18 after trailing 18-0.
2010
Australia edged out New Zealand 12-8 in a rain-drenched Test match to celebrate the opening of Melbourne's AAMI Park, despite the Kangaroos losing hooker Cameron Smith with an elbow injury shortly before half-time.
2017
The final City v Country Origin match was played in Mudgee, with the Brad Fittler-coached City side edging out Craig Fitzgibbon's Country 14-10. Bryce Cartwright scored an 80th-minute try to hand City the win, with captain Paul Gallen landing the conversion after Clint Gutherson had earlier kicked three from three.
2020
Jordan Rapana re-signed with the Raiders until the end of the 2020 season after his stint with Japanese Rugby outfit Panasonic Wild Knights was cut short due to the coronavirus.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
