On this day, France give Kangaroos an almighty scare, Anthony Minichiello wins the Golden Boot and Valentine Holmes and Jason Taumalolo take an NFL detour.

1993   

New Zealand defeat France 36-11 in the one-off Test at Carcassonne.

1995   

Parramatta sign young Cronulla giant Adam Ritson.

1995   

Peace hopes fade again between the ARL and News Limited after intense negotiations between Ken Arthurson and Ken Cowley fail to reach a compromise.

1997   

Tim Brasher signs a two-year deal with South Sydney worth a reported $450,000 a year.

2000   

Australian centre Ryan Girdler is ruled out of the World Cup final with a shoulder injury.

Ryan Girdler. ©NRL Photos

2001   

Australian captain Brad Fittler admits the Kangaroo tour should have gone ahead in its original seven-week format.

2003   

Kangaroo coach Chris Anderson hits back at Penrith boss Shane Richardson over criticism of the decision to select Darren Smith for the third Test. "He has no idea what’s going on over here. Why doesn’t he come over here and pick the side then. I just think he makes himself look silly and he puts pressure on his players that they don’t need." ARL director John Chalk says the selection of Smith was "a gross error of judgement".

2003   

Manly Leagues Club boss Ken Arthurson says the Sea Eagles would survive but never prosper if members voted against a $10 million proposal to separate ownership of the football club.

2004   

Warriors halfback Thomas Leuluai signs a one-year deal with the London Broncos.

2004   

France produce a mighty performance against Australia in Toulouse to score 30 points in a 52-30 defeat. The gallant French trail 34-30 with only seven minutes to play.

2005   

Australian fullback Anthony Minichiello is presented with the Golden Boot award at a ceremony in Leeds. New Zealand winger Manu Vatuvei is named Newcomer of the Year. Minichiello is reported to be ready to commit to a three-year extension of his contract with the Sydney Roosters, worth $1 million.

2007   

Parramatta hooker Mark Riddell is “glassed” in the forehead in an attack at a Bondi Junction hotel after he goes to the aid of Wests Tigers star Benji Marshall. Riddell requires six stitches to his wound.

2008   

Australia suffer a blow on the eve of the World Cup final when prop Steve Price breaks down with a torn calf muscle.

Ben Creagh scores for the Dragons. ©NRL Photos

2012   

Second-rower Ben Creagh is appointed captain of St George Illawarra for 2013.

2016   

NRL stars Valentine Holmes and Jason Taumalolo take a detour on their return from the Four Nations tournament in England to test themselves at a number of NFL franchises in the United States.

2016   

Test winger Blake Ferguson is awarded the Harry Sunderland Medal as Australia’s Players’ Player at the Four Nations.

 

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