July 15: Tuqiri, Gasnier change codes; Origin explodes at Suncorp

Lote Tuqiri was a powerhouse for the Broncos early in his career.

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 15 Jul 2022, 01:01 AM

On this day, Lote Tuqiri and Mark Gasnier swap rugby league for union, the Wests Tigers honour their stars and Trent Waterhouse is sent off as Origin explodes at Suncorp.

1994

North Sydney announce they may consider legal action if an appeal against their salary cap fine is not successful. Balmain second-rower Paul Sironen is tempted by a $500,000 deal to play for Cronulla for two seasons.

1998

Illawarra lose captain Paul McGregor for the rest of the season with a fractured foot.

1999

Brisbane centre Steve Renouf signs a $1 million, two-year contract with Wigan.

2002

Brisbane winger Lote Tuqiri signs with the Australian Rugby Union on a two-year deal that could earn him $515,000 in 2003. Union legend David Campese slams the signing as a waste of money.

2008

St George Illawarra captain Mark Gasnier announces a two-year deal worth $1 million a season to play with French Rugby Union club Stade Francais. Dragons’ chief executive Peter Doust comes under fire for allowing a get-out clause to be inserted into Gasnier’s contract.

2009

NSW salvage pride from the final Origin encounter when they down the Maroons 28-16 at Suncorp Stadium. The match ends dramatically when Queensland veteran Steve Price is knocked cold in a fight with Blues forward Brett White and NSW second-rower Trent Waterhouse is sent from the field for being third man in.

2014

North Queensland skipper Johnathan Thurston offers to wear jersey No.16 into the Cowboys’ round 19 clash with Cronulla in honour of injured Knight Alex McKinnon. Leading players from rival clubs including Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta), Greg Inglis (Souths), Boyd Cordner (Roosters) and Cameron Smith (Melbourne) join in on the tribute.

Brett Hodgson was a wonderful servant of Wests Tigers.

2014

Wests Tigers announce their Team of 15 Years at an anniversary dinner at Pyrmont. The team named was: Brett Hodgson; Pat Richards, Paul Whatuira, Chris Lawrence, Taniela Tuiaki; Benji Marshall, Scott Prince; Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, John Skandalis, Gareth Ellis, Mark O’Neill, Liam Fulton. Reserves: Todd Payten, Ben Galea, Anthony Laffranchi and Chris Heighington.

2018

The Broncos lose rising back row star Jaydn Su’A for the rest of the season after he fractures an ankle in a 26-6 loss to the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium.

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