July 9: Matt's high five; Benji's long-range ripper

On this day, Laurie Daley left Canberra on a high, Bill Harrigan gave coach Phil Gould his marching orders, and Matt Ikuvalu makes the most of a late call-up.

1983

Australia’s run of 16 straight Test victories comes to an end when New Zealand upset the home side 19-12 at Lang Park.

1994

Referee Bill Harrigan twice sends Penrith coach Phil Gould from the sideline during a heated clash at Caltex Field.

2000

Canberra captain Laurie Daley leads his team to a 40-12 triumph over the Sydney Roosters in his farewell appearance at Bruce Stadium.

2010

A stunning 50-metre field goal by Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall proves the difference in a 15-14 win over the Gold Coast at Campbelltown Stadium.

2014

Queensland score a face-saving 32-8 victory in the final match of the State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium but it can’t prevent the Blues celebrating their series win in style. NSW captain Paul Gallen is named Wally Lewis Medal winner as player of the series.

2017

Canterbury conjure a miraculous escape at Belmore Sports Ground when they score two tries in the final five minutes to sink Newcastle 20-18. Club favourite Josh Reynolds is chaired from the field at full-time in his final game at Belmore as a Bulldogs player.

2020   

Sydney Roosters winger Matt Ikuvalu, a last-minute inclusion after Brett Morris is inconvenienced by a groin injury in the warm-up, scores five tries in a 42-16 thumping of North Queensland at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Ikuvalu becomes the first Roosters player to score five tries in a game since Brian Allsop in 1955.

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