October 17: Gasnier gets a hat-trick; Uate fast-tracks passport
On this day, Reg Gasnier makes an impression in his first game against Great Britain, Akuila Uate fast-tracks citizenship to become a Kangaroo, and Tonga sets its course for the 2017 World Cup.
1959
Emerging St George centre Reg Gasnier scores three tries in his first game against Great Britain at Swinton’s Station Road Ground, on the Ashes Tour. It was Gasnier's fourth Test for Australia. His previous three matches had been against New Zealand in June-July of 1959. He went on to play 39 Tests and become an Immortal of the game.
1997
Penrith youngster Craig Gower signs a four-year contract with the Panthers worth $1.8 million.
1999
The Auckland Warriors make a failed bid for the signature of giant All Black winger Jonah Lomu. Seven years later Lomu flies to the Gold Coast to hear the Titans pitch for him to make a code switch, which also fails.
2011
Fijian-born winger Akuila Uate has his Australian citizenship fast-tracked in time to allow him to fly to England with Australia’s Four Nations squad on October 21.
2012
Australian captain Cameron Smith is named the RLIF Player of the Year. Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson was named international rookie of the year.
2015
Tonga secure their place at the 2017 World Cup after disposing of Cook Islands 28-8 in a qualifier at Campbelltown Stadium. They went on to reach the semi-finals of the tournament (losing to England) for the first time in the Pacific nation's history.
2020
The Panthers qualify for their first grand final since 2003 after holding off South Sydney 20-16 at ANZ Stadium.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
