On this day, Reg Gasnier becomes captain, Steve 'Beaver' Menzies becomes the oldest player in Super League, and Phil 'Gus' Gould is awarded an OAM.

1962

At 23 years and 28 days old, centre Reg Gasnier becomes Australia’s youngest captain against Great Britain when he takes the field in the first Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

1989

Parramatta coach John Monie says he'll quit the club at the end of the season to take up a lucrative contact with Wigan. All-time great Eel Michael Cronin is later appointed coach for 1990.

1999

A record Origin crowd of 88,336 brave pouring rain to watch NSW level the Origin series with a 12-8 victory at Stadium Australia. Laurie Daley is named man of the match in his final Blues appearance in his home state.

2009

Rugby league, and especially the Brisbane Broncos, mourn the death of long-term recruitment manager and former international Cyril Connell.

2012

Manly great Steve Menzies becomes the oldest English Super League player, when he plays for Catalans against Wigan at the age of 38 years and 188 days.

Manly legend Steve Menzies ©NRL Photos

2014

League identities Nick Politis (AM), Phil Gould (AM), Ray Warren (OAM) and Don Feltis (OAM) are awarded Queen’s Birthday honours.

2017

Brad Fittler is named coach of Lebanon for the World Cup later in the year following the resignation of Wests Tigers coach Ivan Cleary.

2019

Canterbury win the race to sign Penrith fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak despite intense interest from Parramatta and Wests Tigers. Watene-Zelezniak links with the Bulldogs immediately ahead of a club debut against the Sydney Roosters in Round 14.

 

This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton