October 30: Golden Boots is born; Cronk signs with Roosters
On this day, a Canadian theatre critic scores a major scoop, "Golden Boots" is born and a royal flush for the Raiders.
1934
NRL Hall of Fame member Keith Barnes is born in Wales. After starting his senior career playing for Wollongong in 1953, the man known as "Golden Boots" joined Balmain in 1955 and scored 1519 points in 14 seasons. He also played 17 Tests for Australia, scoring 118 points.
1950
Panthers player and rugby league super coach Tim Sheens is born. After playing 166 matches for the Penrith, Sheens coached Australia 31 times for 26 wins. At a club level, he has guided the fortunes of NRL teams Penrith, Canberra, North Queensland and Wests Tigers and English club Hull Kingston Rovers. His coaching career now includes more than 750 games in charge.
2004
Australia score in the final 30 seconds to snatch the Tri-series encounter 12-8 at the City of Manchester Stadium. Penrith winger Luke Rooney scores two tries for the Australians, including the match-winner.
2007
Canberra Raiders legend Laurie Daley is appointed Country Origin coach for 2007. It means that all of the game's major representative coaching positions are filled by members of Canberra's 1989 grand final squad; including Ricky Stuart (Australia), Mal Meninga (Queensland), Craig Bellamy (New South Wales), Daley (Country Origin) and Raiders' 1989 coach Tim Sheens (City Origin).
2013
The United States make history by defeating the Cook Islands 32-20 in Bristol to record their first victory in World Cup competition.
2015
Canadian theatre critic James Kelly Nestruck becomes an overnight celebrity when he breaks the story regarding the signing of Martin Taupau by Manly after getting an email that was supposed to go to Sea Eagles CEO Joe Kelly. In a superb response to claims it was the biggest story he'd ever get, Nestruck offered "I think you underestimate the power of Canadian theatre!"
2017
Cooper Cronk signs a two-year $2 million contract with the Sydney Roosters, leaving the future of halfback Mitchell Pearce under a cloud. The Roosters would go on to win two premierships in as many years with Cronk at the club before the 372-game champion retired at the end of the 2019 season.
2019
Sam Burgess announce his retirement from the game due to a shoulder injury. "This decision was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make in my life," he said. The Rabbitohs apply to the NRL for his $3 million wage to be waived from their salary cap.
This article contains information from the official records of NRL historian David Middleton.
