February 9: Refereeing legend dies; Chariots stars
On this day, "Chariots" stars for Wigan and a refereeing great dies.
1990
Fiji, North Queensland, Newcastle and St George Illawarra back-rower Tariq Sims was born. The powerful ball-runner is part of a great rugby league family. Brothers Ashton and Korbin and sisters Ruan and CJ are all rugby league representative players.
1992
British champions Wigan win the $100,000 Sevens first prize with Martin Offiah in sizzling form, scoring four tries in their 18-6 win over Brisbane.
1997
Parramatta win their first trophy in more than a decade when they take out the World Sevens competition and claim $65,000 in prize money.
2001
NRL boss David Moffett calls for calm amid suggestions a flood of players were set to switch to rugby union and says an increase in the salary cap could have damaging side effects.
2001
Sharks winger Mat Rogers admits he has been approached by the Australian Rugby Union and says he will consider a switch of codes in 2002.
2003
Australian coach Chris Anderson calls for a Test and promotional tour of Russia.
2004
News Limited executive Peter Jourdain addresses Melbourne Storm players and officials to assure them of News' ongoing commitment to the club. They are told that the club would be around for at least the next five years.
2006
South Sydney's board vote 6-3 to put the $3 million takeover bid by Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court to the club’s membership.
2007
Former State of Origin referee Barry Gomersall dies in North Queensland, aged 61. In a long career with the whistle, Gomersall refereed six Test matches and nine State of Origin games.
2008
Kiwi veteran Ruben Wiki announces his decision to retire at the end of the 2008 season.
2011
The NRL secures exclusive rights to a hit song by American band Bon Jovi to help promote the code in 2011. The song This is Our House is considered especially appropriate given the AFL's impending move into western Sydney.
Barba becomes first player to score hat-trick at the All Stars
2013
Canterbury fullback Ben Barba and Canberra winger Reece Robinson score three tries apiece as the Indigenous All Stars swamp the NRL All Stars 32-6 before 41,201 fans at Suncorp Stadium.
Reece Robinson's hat-trick at the 2013 All Stars
2015
Sydney Roosters and NRL All Stars prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves suggests that the Indigenous team should play the Maori in a bid to breathe life into the All Stars concept.
2017
Chronic injuries force Test prop David Shillington to announce his retirement at the age of 33. As well as playing 215 NRL matches for the Roosters, Raiders and Titans, Shillington played 14 matches for Australia and eight for the Maroons.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
