November 2: Cruel blow for Lewis; Slater world's best

On this day, Luke Lewis' World Cup dreams shattered, Tigers snare Tezza, Roos maul Lions and Slater is named world's best.

1994   

Allan Langer, Wendell Sailor, Paul Sironen and Paul Harragon pay the penalty for Australia’s first Test loss at Wembley when they are dumped for the second Test. Ricky Stuart, Rod Wishart, Dean Pay and Glenn Lazarus are called into the team. 

1999   

South Sydney commence legal proceedings against the ARL in the Supreme Court in an attempt to recover $1 million in funding.

1999   

Former Test centre Terry Hill signs a four-year deal with the Wests Tigers.

2003   

The Kangaroos strike form in a record-breaking 76-4 demolition of Wales at Bridgend. The result is soured by a recurrence of a calf muscle injury to centre Ryan Girdler which ends his tour after just 20 minutes of action. Craig Fitzgibbon kicks 11 goals from 11 attempts for the Australians.

2004   

Newcastle ace Andrew Johns is cleared to resume training following his knee reconstruction.

2006   

In one of the most sensational days in the history of the international game, New Zealand are stripped of two Tri-Nations points for fielding an ineligible player and Nathan Fien is released from the Kiwis’ side for the remainder of the Tri-Nations series. ARL chairman Colin Love and Rugby Football League boss Richard Lewis vote for the Kiwis to lose their points after it was revealed that New Zealand officials were aware on October 19 that Fien’s great-grandmother and not his grandmother was born in New Zealand.

2008   

Australia slaughter England 52-4 in a lopsided World Cup clash at Melbourne’s Telstra Dome. The Australian describes the result as a “devastating blow to the tournament’s credibility”.

2009   

South Sydney recruit Ben Ross completes his first training session with his new club following spinal surgery in March that saved his career.

2011   

Australian fullback Billy Slater is named International Player of the Year for the second time at an RLIF presentation night at London’s Tower Bridge. Australian players dominate the major awards with Kiwi captain Benji Marshall the only exception as five-eighth of the year.

2013   

Australia lose back-rower Luke Lewis for the remainder of the World Cup after he suffers a dislocated shoulder in a collision with an advertising hording during a 34-2 defeat of Fiji at St Helens. An application by Australian management to replace Lewis is rejected by tournament organisers.

2016   

Australian winger Josh Mansour suffers a devastating knee injury at training that ends his Four Nations campaign. Scans reveal Mansour tore his ACL and he faces surgery back in Australia.

2019 

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