November 8: Morley marched inside 12 seconds; Kiwis break 27-year drought

On this day, Adrian Morley is sent off after 12 seconds, Preston Campbell demands Sharks release and young Sirro joins the Sea Eagles.

1956 

Kurt Sorensen was born in Auckland. The imposing forward played 28 Tests for New Zealand from 1975-89 and racked up 118 first-grade matches for Cronulla from 1979-85, interspersed with an eight-game stint with the Roosters in 1984, alongside his brother Dane. 

1980

Brent Webb was born in Cairns. A goal-kicking fullback, he played 103 matches for the Warriors from 2002-06 before spending the next eight years in the Super League with Leeds, Castleford and Catalans. He controversially represented New Zealand 17 times after qualifying on residential rules.

1993   

Organisers of the Coca Cola World Sevens confirm Sydney will retain the Sevens tournament after a push to have the competition transferred to Brisbane for 1994.

1997   

Great Britain square the Test series with the Australian Super League side with a 20-12 win at Old Trafford.

1998   

New Zealand secure their first series win in Britain for 27 years with a 36-16 second Test win at Bolton. 

1999   

North Queensland sign South Sydney utility player Julian O’Neill to a two-year contract.

2000   

Lebanese World Cup players fly to Beirut for talks with president Emile Lamoud about establishing league in the country.

2001   

Preston Campbell demands a release from his contract with the Sharks. He would go on to leave Cronulla after three seasons ahead of stints with the Penrith Panthers and Gold Coast Titans.

2003   

Great Britain prop Adrian Morley is sent off after 12 seconds of play in a dramatic and gripping first Test, won 22-18 by Australia. The home side plays their way into an unlikely winning position before a superb late try by Australian captain Darren Lockyer secures victory for the tourists.

2004   

Canberra halfback Mark McLinden quits the Raiders to sign a three-year deal with the London Broncos.

2012   

Newcastle hooker Danny Buderus appears at a press conference for Super Rugby franchise the ACT Brumbies where he is introduced as a part-time “collision coach”. The NRL remind Buderus of his obligations under his playing contract and he immediately pulls out of the deal. “I’ve stuffed up and feel full-on silly,” Buderus says.

2013   

Cronulla sign former Parramatta and Sydney Roosters winger Eric Grothe, who prepares for his NRL comeback at the age of 33.

2014   

New Zealand maintain their unblemished Four Nations record with a 16-14 victory over England in their final pool match at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium.

2016   

Former Wests Tigers forward Curtis Sironen signs a two-year deal with Manly.

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