February 15: Hayne and Mannah celebrate birthdays

On this day in rugby league history, Freddy turns back the clock at the Nines, Carty's big deal and Glebe's record confirmed.

1909   

With Dally Messenger missing through injury, Australia went down 6-5 to England in the deciding third Test at Birmingham’s Villa Park.

1988    

Parramatta Eels co-captains Jarryd Hayne was born. An electrifying fullback who also starred on the wing at representative level, Hayne was two-time Dally M Player of the Year and also won the Dally M Rookie of the Year award in 2006, the Dally M Representative Player of the Year in 2014 and won three Brad Fittler Medals as NSW's best State of Origin player. He played a starring role in the Eels' unlikely run to the 2009 NRL grand final.

On the same day, former Parramatta Eels captain and Lebanon international Tim Mannah was born. A four-time Origin player with NSW, Mannah played 11 NRL seasons with the Eels between 2009 and 2019 and represented Lebanon at Test level five times. He was one of the most respected front-rowers in the game during his career and retired as a one-club man.

1995   

Cronulla shelved plans to merge with either St George or Illawarra.

1997   

A crowd of over 10,000 turned out for the Charity Shield match between St George and Souths at the Sydney Football Stadium. The Dragons continued their domination of the annual match, winning 26-18.

2003   

St George Illawarra regained the Charity Shield with a 28-10 defeat of South Sydney at Aussie Stadium. More than 20,000 people attend the match.

2008   

Melbourne thrash Manly 56-10 and Newcastle down the Warriors 22-14 in the first official trials of the new season.

2009   

A letter written by league founder James J Giltinan, discovered in a Brisbane library, effectively confirms that Glebe was the first club formed in Australia on January 9, 1908.

2011   

Gold Coast mentor John Cartwright signs a new five-year contract with the Titans, achieving rare vocational security for an NRL coach.

2014   

The Auckland Nines opens before a sell-out crowd at Eden Park where 42-year-old Sydney Roosters legend Brad Fittler steals the limelight with a runaway intercept try.

2015   

Canterbury release an ambitious strategic plan to become the number one sporting club in Australia within five years.

2019

2020

The NRL Nines concludes in Perth, with the Cowboys winning the men's tournament and the Dragons winning the women's competition. It was the second time the Cowboys had claimed the title, having won the inaugural title in 2014.

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