May 22: Carroll saves Maroons; Mini equals Mullins
On this day, Tonie Carroll saved the Maroons, Tommy Raudonikis sparked a Blues revival, Gary Larson bettered Wally Lewis's Origin record and 'Mini' drew level with a fellow Roosters legend.
1946
The first post-World War II tour by an international team gets under way, when Gus Risman’s English side defeat Southern Division 36-4 before a crowd of 6,135 in Junee.
1977
With NSW down 13-2 at half-time in an interstate match at Lang Park, Blues coach Terry Fearnley replaces tyro halfback Steve Mortimer with seasoned veteran Tom Raudonikis. The fiery Raudonikis immediately sparks a brawl which unsettles the Maroons and NSW storm home 14-13.
1981
Mark O'Meley is born in West Wyalong, NSW. After making his debut with North Sydney in 1999, he spent the next two seasons with the Northern Eagles before moving to the Bulldogs for the next six years. He was part of the Dogs' 2004 premiership-winning team and and spent his final two years in the NRL with the Roosters before playing with Hull for four years in the UK Super League. Nicknamed 'Shrek', O'Meley played for NSW 10 times and 15 times for Australia.
1998
A last-minute try to replacement Tonie Carroll and a conversion after the final siren gives Queensland a shock 24-23 win over New South Wales in one of the most entertaining State of Origin matches on record. Queensland forward Gary Larson breaks Wally Lewis’ record of 21 consecutive Origin appearances. Man-of-the-match Allan Langer hints that he may retire from representative football in 1999.
2002
New South Wales take opening honours in the 2002 Origin series with a 32-4 defeat of Queensland at Stadium Australia. Andrew Johns is named man of the match ahead of fullback Brett Hodgson, who makes a dazzling Origin debut. Hodgson returns the stunning match statistics of five line breaks and 386 attacking metres gained. Referee Bill Harrigan earns the ire of the Queensland side after sin-binning captain Gorden Tallis for dissent.
2003
The Daily Telegraph reveals that injured Parramatta halfback Paul Green underwent an eight-hour operation to save his sight and his rugby league career.
2009
A spectator is banned for life after entering the playing arena and tackling referee Jared Maxwell at the conclusion of the Wests Tigers’ clash with Brisbane at Campbelltown Stadium.
2011
Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello scores his 104th try to equal the club record held by Bill Mullins since the 1970s as the Roosters end a five-game losing streak with a 12-10 defeat of Newcastle. 'Mini' retired in 2014 and his final tally of 139 tries makes him the greatest tryscorer in Roosters history.
2020
The NRL and match officials strike a peace-deal over the game’s return to one referee for the rest of the 2020 season. The NRL agree to review the one-ref system after the grand final.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
