November 12: Dallas says au revoir; Sailor signs off
On this day, the Rabbitohs rally to be readmitted, Wendell Sailor signs off and Issac Luke lands in hiot water for an ugly tackle.
1994
ARL boss Ken Arthurson says inner-Sydney clubs won’t be forced into amalgamations.
1997
Super League’s world board chairman Maurice Lindsay offers to stand down if it will help bring about peace in the conflict between the ARL and Super League.
1999
Souths accuse the NRL of dirty tactics by releasing their 14-team draw for 2000 on the same day the Rabbitohs launched Federal Court action for being excluded from the competition.
2000
A crowd estimated by police at 80,000 turns out in a massive showing of support for South Sydney. A street rally begins at Redfern and winds its way to the Sydney Town Hall.
2000
Australia advance to the semi-finals of the World Cup with an effortless 66-10 victory over Samoa at Watford.
2002
New recruit Bryan Fletcher is officially appointed captain of South Sydney for 2003.
2005
Great Britain halfback Paul Deacon suffers horrific facial injuries after a high tackle by New Zealand five-eighth Nigel Vagana. Great Britain play their way back into the Tri-Nations tournament with a 38-12 victory. Vagana is later cited but receives only a one-match suspension and a ₤500 fine. The decision sparks outrage after Deacon’s injuries are compared with a car accident victim.
2006
ARL CEO Geoff Carr comes under fire after The Sun-Herald claims Carr knew that Nathan Fien was ineligible to play for the Kiwis two days before he made his debut for New Zealand. ARL chairman Colin Love accuses the NZRL of attempting to “absolve themselves of responsibility” by blaming the ARL.
2009
Melbourne lock Dallas Johnson signs a three-year deal with French Super League club Catalans.
2009
Veteran winger Wendell Sailor announces his retirement from the game. “I retire a contented man,” he said.
2011
England down New Zealand 28-6 at Hull to confirm their place in the Four Nations final against Australia. New Zealand hooker Issac Luke is cited for an ugly leg-twisting tackle on English halfback Rangi Chase and is suspended for two games.
2018
The Canberra Raiders confirm that winger Jordan Rapana will require a shoulder reconstruction after dislocating his shoulder playing for New Zealand against England. He is expected to be sidelined for six months.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
