February 3: Gus links with Blues; Bulls tame Tigers in WCC

On this day, Phil Gould agrees to coach the Blues, a pair of Test forwards are born and Bradford Bulls on top of the world.

1975

Brad Thorn is born. The league and union great played three Test matches for Australia and 200 matches for the Broncos as well as making 59 appearances for the All Blacks.                                                        

1990

Martin Taupau is born. As well as playing 27 Tests matches for Samoa and New Zealand, Taupau has played 201 NRL matches for Canterbury, Wests Tigers and Manly.

1992

Penrith's premiership-winning coach Phil Gould is appointed NSW State of Origin coach. The Blues would win the next three series.

2001

St George Illawarra hooker Nathan Brown is flown to hospital by helicopter after injuring his neck in a trial against the Bulldogs at Sydney Showground. The injury forced Brown to retire. He would later move into coaching.

Newcastle centre Matthew Gidley is ruled out for the first six weeks of the premiership after suffering a broken ankle in a trial against Parramatta.

2002

Newcastle coach Michael Hagan agrees to extend his contract with the Knights until the end of the 2003 season.

2003

The Rugby League International Federation votes to give full membership status to Russia. The board reveals that Russia has 10 clubs and 8000 registered players.

2006

Super League powerhouse Bradford maintain Britain's hold on the World Club Challenge trophy with a commanding 30-10 victory over Wests Tigers at Huddersfield's Galpharm Stadium.

2014

Canterbury coach Des Hasler re-signs with the club until the end of the 2017 season.

2018

Bryce Cartwright leaves Penrith to take up a four-year deal with the Gold Coast Titans, reportedly worth close to $3 million.

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