On this day, the fifth and sixth Immortals were announced, Jason Taylor equals the all-time scoring record and Wayne Bennett dances his way to a golden-point win.
1964
Jamie Ainscough was born in Sydney. The utility back made his debut with Wests in 1990 before switching to Newcastle two seasons later where he enjoyed a five-year stint. He signed with St George in 1997 and was a foundation member of the St George Illawarra squad which reached the grand final. Ainscough will forever be remembered for the match-defining incident with a few minutes to go when his high tackle on Storm winger Craig Smith led to a penalty try which gave Melbourne their historic 20-18 victory. He played 228 first-grade matches, a Test for Australia and 14 Origins for NSW, before leaving the Dragons at the end of 2001 to finish his career with two seasons in England at Wigan.
1974
Graeme Langlands becomes the first player to score 100 points in Anglo-Australian matches when he leads Australia to a famous 22-18 third Test victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground. British hooker John Gray sparks a revolution with his superb exhibition of “around the corner” goal kicking.
1999
Rugby League Week announce Graeme Langlands and Wally Lewis as the fifth and sixth rugby league Immortals.
1999
The NRL agrees to pay the proposed Balmain-Wests joint venture an $8 million establishment grant.
2001
Parramatta halfback Jason Taylor equals the premiership point-scoring record of Daryl Halligan as the Eels rout Melbourne 54-10 at Colonial Stadium. A minor shoulder injury denies Taylor the opportunity of owning the record outright.
2003
Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett cheekily declares himself a convert of the golden point rule after the Broncos pip Melbourne 26-22 at Olympic Park. Winger Scott Minto crosses in the third minute of extra-time to secure the win.
2011
The Illawarra Team of the Century is unveiled at a gala dinner in Wollongong. The team is: Graeme Langlands; Ian Moir, Harry Wells, Paul McGregor, Rod Wishart; Bob Fulton, Trent Barrett; Craig Young, Kevin Schubert, Steve Roach, Craig Fitzgibbon, Ron Costello, Noel Mulligan. Reserves: John Dorahy, Shaun Timmins, Bruce Olive, Ben Creagh. Coach Harry Nolan. Referee: Harry Grew.
2019
The Sydney Roosters brush aside Newcastle 48-10 at the Sydney Cricket Ground but suffer a serious blow with the loss of hooker Jake Friend with a broken arm.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
