October 28: Moylan's magical Roo debut; Aussie anger over 'cannonball'

On this day, Aussies reign at Wembley, Moylan's magical Roo debut and Issac Luke under fire over 'cannonball' tackle.

1995   

Australia triumph 16-8 in the World Cup final at Wembley Stadium. Andrew Johns is named MVP of the final series. Captained by Brad Fittler, the Kangaroos got home on the back of tries to Rod Wishart and Tim Brasher and four goals to Johns in front of 66,540 fans.

1997

The ARL’s special appeals committee reject Adam MacDougall’s bid to have his case re-heard after he was suspended for stomping Manly’s Geoff Toovey in the grand final.

1999

Sydney City coach Phil Gould announces his shock resignation despite having two years to run on his contract.

2000   

Australia open their World Cup campaign with a 22-2 victory in a spiteful encounter with England before a crowd of 32,000 at Twickenham.

2008   

Penrith ban rookie Jarrod Sammut from playing in a rugby union World Cup qualifier for Malta after learning that he already played against Croatia. Penrith officials believed that had allowed Sammut to represent Malta in rugby league internationals.

2008   

Australian utility Kurt Gidley is ruled out of the rest of the World Cup after injuring his left knee in the opening match against New Zealand.

2011   

Australian players and officials condemn New Zealand hooker Issac Luke over his “cannonball” tackle on David Shillington, which forces the front-rower from the field with a leg injury as Australia account for the Kiwis 26-12 at Warrington in the opening match of the Four Nations series.

2016    

Australia whip Scotland 54-12 in the Four Nations opener in Hull with Penrith fullback Matt Moylan named man of the match on debut.

2017   

A capacity crowd at Port Moresby’s International Stadium cheer the Kumuls to a 50-6 demolition of Wales on an historic day for the game in Papua New Guinea. Broncos winer David Mead scores a hat-trick, while little-known Canterbury forward Rhyse Martin scores 18 points from two tries and five goals.

2018   

Wests Tigers announce that coach Ivan Cleary has been released from the final two years of his contract with the club, with former Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire to replace him on a three-year deal.

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