October 12: Wiki hangs up boots; Holbrook's winning farewell

On this day, rampaging Ruben signs off in style, Freddy demands his Aussie-based Cedars are on song for Lebanon's World Cup tilt and injury forces Bryan Norrie into retirement.

1995   

Three overseas players are banned from the World Cup tournament after testing positive to drugs. The players are named as Syd Eru (New Zealand), Stephane Millet (France) and South African Pierre Grobbelaar.

2002   

Australia fight back from an 18-6 deficit to defeat New Zealand 32-24 in the one-off Test at Wellington’s WestpacTrust Stadium.

2004   

Australian players sign a revised code of conduct aimed at preventing a repeat of behaviour-related incidents that have dogged recent representative camps.

2008   

Veteran Kiwi Ruben Wiki scores a try in his farewell appearance for the All Golds Invitational team against the Maori in a 44-10 victory at New Plymouth’s Yarrow Stadium. Wiki confirms his retirement from rugby league two days later. 

2011   

Former Kangaroo, Wallaby and Olympic water polo representative Dick Thornett dies in Sydney, aged 71.

2012   

The Warriors appoint former Canberra and Penrith coach Matt Elliott to the club’s vacant head coaching position on a two-year deal.

2013   

Veteran whistle-blower Shayne Hayne is awarded the Col Pearce Medal as referee of the year at the annual presentation for match officials.

2014   

Melbourne grand final winner Bryan Norrie is forced to retire immediately because of a neck injury.

2016   

The Gold Coast grant Greg Bird a release from the final year of his contract to allow him to join French Super League club Catalans on a three-year deal.

2017   

Lebanon World Cup coach Brad Fittler demands that his Australian-based players learn the Lebanese national anthem or they won’t play in the tournament. The Cedars thrill their legion of by beating France 29-18 in Canberra and then take the game right up to England in Sydney in a 29-10 loss.

2019

Justin Holbrook signs off as St Helens coach with a 23-6 defeat of Salford in the Super League grand final at Old Trafford. He would then join the Gold Coast Titans.

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