November 23: Johnson's Wembley wizardry; Ricky's ref rant; Raging Bull's relief

On this day, Ricky Stuart in strife over referee abuse, Dave Smith gets NRL's top gig and Shaun Johnson breaks English hearts at Wembley.

1994   

Jonathan Davies agrees to join the North Queensland Cowboys.

2001   

Brisbane Broncos captain Gorden Tallis is given the all-clear to resume his playing career in 2002 after suffering a serious spinal injury in May.

2002   

The Great Britain-New Zealand Test series ends in a draw after Great Britain win the third Test 16-10 at Wigan.

2008   

World Cup officials investigate allegations that Australian coach Ricky Stuart abused World Cup referee Ashley Klein and English referees controller Stuart Cummings in the foyer of a Brisbane hotel.

2011   

St George Illawarra ask the NRL’s Player Managers’ Accreditation Scheme to investigate the circumstances of Wests Tigers utility Tim Moltzen turning his back on the Dragons after signing to play for the club in 2012.

2012   

The ARL Commission appoint 48-year-old Lloyds International CEO David Smith as the game’s new chief executive. The Welshman admits he has little knowledge of rugby league and played rugby union as a child. He starts in his new role in February, 2013.

2013   

A crowd of 67,545 attends the World Cup semi-final double-header at Wembley Stadium where New Zealand halfback Shaun Johnson scores a converted try in the final 20 seconds to sink England 20-18 in a classic encounter. Australia waltz to a 64-0 victory over Fiji in the second semi-final.

2020   

The Manly Sea Eagles are rocked by the sudden death of up-and-coming forward Keith Titmuss, who fell ill after a training session before being rushed to Northern Beaches hospital and then Royal North Shore but could not be saved.

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