December 27: Berrigan becomes a Warrior; Rams get fleeced

On this day, Shaun Berrigan signs with the Warriors, a Steelers stalwart switches to Souths and the Roosters launch a Ram raid.

1997   

Illawarra Steelers centre Brett Rodwell agrees to terms with South Sydney.

1991

Michael Morgan was born in Townsville. Morgan made his NRL debut in 2010 as an 18-year-old in round nine. He gained selection in the Kangaroos’ Four Nations train-on squad and the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII in 2014. 

Morgan began the 2015 season at fullback but returned to the halves in round three and went on to have his best season to date, forming a superb halves combination with Johnathan Thurston.

He scored an impressive 15 tries in his 23 matches, the most tries for a half in the NRL in 2015, and also managed 11 offloads, 20 line breaks and an average of 84 running metres, and was rewarded with a nomination for five-eighth of the year, along with his first premiership.

Morgan debuted for Australia in the May Test and was also part of the Kangaroos squad to contest the 2016 Four Nations tournament.

When the Cowboys lost Thurston for the remainder of the 2017 season following the second State of Origin match in June, Morgan took on the mantle of the team’s chief playmaker. He combined with mid-season recruit Te Maire Martin to lead the Cowboys all the way to an unlikely grand final berth, which ended in defeat against the Storm.

1998   

Sydney City sign former Adelaide players Graham Appo and Bruce Mamando, while Rams centre David Kidwell links with Parramatta and fullback Rod Maybon with Canberra.

1998   

Wendell Sailor denies rumours of a move to London rugby union club Wasps after making his rugby league debut for Leeds in a challenge match.

2010   

Former Brisbane premiership-winner Shaun Berrigan signs with the Warriors after being granted an early release from English club Hull.

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