July 7: Fittler's fitting farewell; Bitter Test team split
On this day, a bitter split crippled the Australian team; Brad Fittler was given a fitting farewell; the Maroons went on an Origin record rampage.
1985
Australia suffers a humiliating 18-0 loss in the third Test against New Zealand after the team is divided by a bitter rift. The split occurred after Test coach Terry Fearnley (also the successful NSW Origin coach) dropped four Queenslanders from a winning second Test team.
2002
Andrew Johns is named Australia’s 58th Test captain when selectors announce the team to meet Great Britain at Aussie Stadium.
2004
NSW send veteran five-eighth Brad Fittler out in triumph after a 36-14 win in the State of Origin decider at Telstra Stadium.
2008
South Sydney produce their second long-range comeback in as many weeks with a 34-30 golden point victory over the Bulldogs, after trailing 24-6 early in the second half.
2010
Queensland claim their first State of Origin series clean sweep since 1995 with a gripping 23-18 defeat of New South Wales at ANZ Stadium.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
