June 27: Semi steamrolls Dragons; Mackay's magic Roo debut

On this day in rugby league history, Parkes hosts the Australian Test side, the Bears pull off a miracle and Radradra wins it for Parra.

1990

Australia thrashed France 34-2 in bitter conditions in the western NSW town of Parkes. Brad Mackay scored three tries on debut, emulating the feat of another St George junior, Bobby Bugden, 30 years earlier. Mackay was named man of the match, while future Australia coach Mal Meninga replaced the injured Wally Lewis as Kangaroos captain.

1993

The North Sydney Bears fought back from a 17-0 deficit against Canterbury at Belmore to notch one of the club's greatest comeback wins, 18-17. David Hall and Craig Makepeace both scored doubles for the Bears.

2015

A Semi Radradra hat-trick lifted Parramatta to a 16-8 win over St George Illawarra at Pirtek Stadium. Radradra would go on to set a new Eels record for tries in a regular season, with 24 in 18 games, as well as being named Dally M Winger of the Year for the second straight season and being named on the wing in the RLIF Team of the Year.

2020

ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys holds talks with the Warriors in a bid to convince several homesick players to remain in Australia while he continues to work with state and federal officials to establish a "trans-Tasman bubble" which would allow players’ family members to join them in Australia. The Sun-Herald (June 28) reports that Ken Maumalo, David Fusitu’a and Agnatius Paasi have told club management they want to return to New Zealand however the trio agree to stay until July 19.

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