Rugby League in History - On This Day
Publish date: 2024-08-23
Events in Sport
- 1904-04-05 The first international rugby league match is played between England and an Other Nationalities team (Welsh & Scottish players) in Central Park, Wigan, England.
- 1908-04-20 Opening day of competition of the New South Wales Rugby League.
- 1992-01-03 English club Wigan pays Widnes a world record rugby league transfer fee of £440,000 for Great Britain international winger Martin Offiah
- 2009-03-14 Canterbury winger Hazem El Masri becomes highest point scorer in Australian Rugby League history; 33rd minute penalty in Bulldogs' 34-12 win over Manly at ANZ Stadium, Sydney takes him to 2,178; Andrew Johns, 2,176
Rabbitohs Win NRL
2014-10-05 Russell Crowe owned South Sydney Rabbitohs beat Canterbury Bulldogs, 30-6 to break 43 year drought and win National Rugby League (Australia) Premiership
- 2018-08-01 Australian Rugby League's 'Immortals' tally moves to 13 as pre-War stars Dally Messenger, Frank Burge & Dave Brown along with latter day giants Norm Provan & Mal Meninga are added
- 2019-04-12 Melbourne captain Cameron Smith becomes highest point scorer in Australian Rugby League history; 49th minute penalty in Storm's 18-12 win over North Queensland in Townsville takes him to 2,420; Hazem El Masri, 2,418
Birthdays in Sport
Birthdays 1 - 100 of 150
- 1871-11-03 Albert Goldthorpe, English rugby league five eighth (RL pioneer; Hunslet 713 games), born in Leeds, West Yorkshire (d. 1943)
- 1879-12-03 Albert Asher, New Zealand dual-code rugby union and rugby league winger (RU 11 caps; RL Australasia 2 Tests, NZ 1), born in Tauranga, New Zealand (d. 1965)
- 1883-04-12 Dally Messenger, Australian rugby league centre (9 Tests; NSW; Eastern Suburbs; ARL 'Immortal'; Dally M Medal) and rugby union utility (2 caps), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 1959)
- 1889-11-23 Harry Sunderland, Australian rugby league administrator (manager 1929–30 Kangaroo tour of GB; Queensland RFL secretary 1913-22; inspired establishment RL in France), born in Gympie, Australia (d. 1964)
- 1891-02-23 Harold Horder, Australian Rugby League player (d. 1978)
- 1894-08-14 Frank Burge, Australian rugby league forward (13 Tests, 26 games NSW; Glebe, St. George; RL "Immortal") and coach (St. George, North Sydney, Western Suburbs, Newtown), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 1958)
- 1901-06-01 Tom Gorman, Australian rugby league centre and captain (10 Tests; Queensland 34 games), born in Charters Towers, Australia (d. 1978)
- 1905-03-31 George Treweeke, Australian Rugby League second rower (7 Tests, South Sydney), born in Grahamstown, NSW (d. 1991)
- 1911-03-21 Gus Risman, Welsh rugby league centre, fullback (18 Tests Wales, 17 Great Britain, 1 England; Salford RLFC, Workington Town RLFC) and coach (Bradford Northern, Salford, Workington Town), born in Cardiff, Wales (d. 1994)
- 1913-04-04 Dave Brown, Australian rugby league centre (9 Tests, 19 games NSW; Eastern Suburbs, Warrington; RL "Immortal") and coach (Eastern Suburbs), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 1974)
- 1916-07-31 Verdun Scott, New Zealand cricket batsman (10 Tests, 3 x 50; Auckland) and rugby league utility back (1 Test; Auckland Pakehā), born in Devonport, Auckland (d. 1980)
- 1924-06-24 Brian Bevan, Australian Rugby League HOF winger (Warrington 620 games, 740 tries), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 1991)
- 1925-03-24 Puig Aubert, French rugby league footballer (d. 1994)
- 1926-06-15 Basil Watts, English rugby league second rower (5 Tests Great Britain, 1 England; World Cup 1954; York RLFC), born in York, England (d. 2019)
- 1926-08-10 Tom Danby, English dual-code international wing: rugby union (1 cap; Harlequin RFC) and rugby league (3 caps England, 3 caps GB; Salford RLFC), born in Trimdon district, County Durham, England (d. 2022)
- 1927-01-21 Clive Churchill, Australian rugby league fullback (37 Tests; NSW 27 games; South Sydney; RL "Immortal") and coach (Australia 29 Tests, South Sydney), born in Newcastle, Australia (d. 1985)
- 1927-02-16 Des White, New Zealand rugby league fullback (21 Tests, 132 points; Ponsonby RLFC), born in Auckland, New Zealand (d. 2023)
- 1928-05-30 Glyn Moses, Welsh rugby league fullback (2 caps Wales. 9 Great Britain; Salford, St. Helens), born in Nant-y-Moel, Wales (d. 2021)
- 1929-02-27 Jack Gibson, Australian rugby league footballer and coach (d. 2008)
- 1929-09-27 Ken McCaffery, Australian rugby league centre (12 Tests; North Sydney; Queensland), broadcaster (9 Network) and administrator (North Sydney DRLFC), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 2021)
- 1929-10-01 Ken Arthurson, Australian rugby league halfback, coach, administrator (NSWRL, ARL, Manly-Warringah chairman), born in Sydney, New South Wales
- 1930-05-16 Brian Davies, Australian rugby league forward (27 Tests, 6 World Cup; Queensland 31 games; Brothers, Canterbury-Bankstown), born in Brisbane, Australia (d. 2012)
- 1930-06-15 Bob Banks, Australian rugby league five-eighth (15 Tests, 2 World Cup; Queensland 26 games), born in Tumut, Australia (d. 2024)
- 1930-07-30 Bobby Dimond, Australian rugby league winger (24 Tests; NSW, Western Suburbs), born in Dapto, Australia (d. 2020)
- 1930-11-20 Johnny Whiteley, English rugby league back rower (15 Tests GB, 1 England; Hull RLFC 417 games) and coach (GB, England, Hull RLFC, Hull KR), born in Kingston upon Hull, England (d. 2022)
- 1931-04-11 Lewis Jones, Welsh rugby union outside back (10 Tests Wales, 3 British Lions; Neath, Llanelli) and rugby league utility (2 Tests Wales, 17 Great Britain; Leeds, Wentworthville), born in Gorseinon, Wales (d. 2024)
- 1931-12-18 Norm Provan, Australian rugby league second rower (14 Tests; St. George RLFC NSWRL Premiers 1956-66; 13th RL "Immortal") and coach (St. George, Parramatta, Cronulla), born in Urana, Australia (d. 2021)
- 1932-12-26 Don Furner, Australian rugby league forward (1 Test) and coach (Australia 15 Tests; Eastern Suburbs, Canberra Raiders), born in Condobolin, Australia (d. 2020)
- 1933-03-20 Ian Walsh, Australian rugby league hooker (25 Tests [10 as captain]; St. George RLFC) and coach (Australia 5 Tests; St. George, Parramatta), born in Bogan Gate, New South Wales (d. 2013)
- 1934-01-12 Mick Sullivan, English rugby league footballer, born in Pudsey, England (d. 2016)
- 1934-05-17 Abe Terry, English rugby league front rower (11 Tests; Challenge Cup 1961 St. Helens RLFC [216 games]), born in St. Helens, England (d. 2024)
- 1934-08-06 Billy Boston, Welsh rugby league footballer
- 1934-10-30 Keith Barnes, Australian rugby league fullback (17 Tests, 10 as captain; Balmain RLFC), born in Port Talbot, Wales (d. 2024)
- 1935-01-24 Eric Ashton, English rugby league footballer, born in St Helens, United Kingdom (d. 2008)
- 1935-12-13 Arthur Summons, Australian rugby union fly-half (10 Tests; Gordon RFC) and rugby league five-eighth (9 Tests; Western Suburbs RLFC), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 2020)
- 1936-01-22 Noel Kelly, Australian rugby league hooker (25 Tests; Queensland, NSW, Western Suburbs) and coach (Western Suburbs, North Sydney), born in Ipswich, Australia (d. 2020)
- 1936-02-20 Tony Brown, Australian rugby league five-eighth (10 Tests; Newtown RLFC, Penrith RLFC), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 2022)
- 1936-06-22 Dick Huddart, English rugby league second rower (16 Tests Great Britain; St. Helens, St. George), born in Flimby, Cumberland, England (d. 2021)
- 1937-04-27 David Bolton, English rugby league five eighth (23 caps Great Britain; Wigan, Balmain) and coach (Parramatta), born in Wigan, England (d. 2021)
- 1937-11-23 Bev Risman, English rugby union fly-half (8 Tests England, 4 British & Irish Lions; University of Oxford RFC) and rugby league fullback (5 Tests GB, 1 England; Leigh RLFC, Leeds RLFC), born in Salford, England (d. 2023)
- 1937-12-08 Malcolm Price, Welsh rugby union centre (9 Tests Wales, 5 British & Irish Lions; Pontypool RFC) and rugby league centre (2 Tests GB; Oldham RLFC, Rochdale Hornets), born in Pontypool, Wales (d. 2024)
- 1938-02-17 Alan Rees, Welsh rugby union fly-half (3 Tests; Maesteg RFC), rugby league five eighth (Leeds RLFC) and cricket all-rounder (Glamorgan CCC), born in Talbot, Wales (d. 2022)
- 1938-07-20 Fred Lindop, British rugby league referee (22 Tests; World Cup Final 1970; 5 x Challenge Cup Finals), born in Wakefield, England (d. 2023)
- 1938-08-12 Lionel Morgan, Australian rugby league winger (3 Tests; first Indigenous Australian to play in a recognised RL Test), born in Tweed Heads, Australia (d. 2023)
- 1938-12-04 Frank Myler, English rugby league stand-off (24 caps Great Britain, 1 England; Widnes, St. Helens) and coach (Widnes, Swinton, Oldham), born in Widnes, England (d. 2020)
- 1938-12-28 John Gleeson, Australian rugby league five eighth (10 Tests; Queensland 25 games; Wynnum-Manly, Brothers RLFC), born in Chinchilla, Australia (d. 2021)
- 1939-04-12 Johnny Raper, Australian rugby league lock (33 Tests, 6 World Cup games; Newtown RLFC, St. George RLFC; Inaugural RL "Immortal") and coach (St. George, RLFC, Cronulla RLFC), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 2022)
- 1939-05-12 Reg Gasnier, Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame centre and captain (36 Tests; 3 World Cups; St. George RLFC), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 2014)
- 1939-06-12 Ron Lynch, Australian rugby league forward (12 Tests; NSW 17 games, Parramatta 194 games), born in Young, Australia (d. 2024)
- 1940-03-05 Ken Irvine, Australian rugby league HOF winger (31 Tests; NSW 24 games; North Sydney RLFC, Manly-Warringah RLFC; record first-grade career tries–212), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 1990)
- 1940-04-25 Frank Foster, English rugby league lock (1 Test GB; Workington Town, Hull Kingston Rovers, Bradford Northern) and coach (Barrow, Whitehaven), born in Maryport, England (d. 2019)
- 1940-04-26 Cliff Watson, English rugby league front rower (30 Tests GB, 4 England; St Helens 373 games, Cronulla-Sutherland), born in London, England (d. 2018)
- 1941-06-20 Marius Frattini, French rugby league halfback (6 Tests; Avignon, Cavaillon, Entraigues), born in Entraigues-sur-la-Sorgue, France (d. 2023)
- 1941-09-02 Graeme Langlands, Australian rugby league fullback, captain and coach (24 Tests; St. George RLFC; ARL "Immortal"), born in Wollongong, Australia (d. 2018)
- 1942-03-05 David Watkins, Welsh rugby union fly-half (21 Tests Wales, 6 British & Irish Lions; Newport RFC), rugby league utility (16 Tests Wales, 6 GB; Salford RLFC) and coach (4 Tests GB, 3 Wales), born in Blaina, Wales (d. 2023)
- 1942-07-12 Billy Smith, Australian rugby league halfback (26 Tests; St. George), born in Fremantle, Western Australia
- 1942-07-28 John Sattler, Australian rugby league prop (4 Tests; NSWRL Premiership 1967, 68, 70, 71 South Sydney), born in Maitland, Australia (d. 2023)
- 1942-08-15 Gary Woollard, New Zealand rugby league five eighth (10 Tests; Wellington), born in Waiuku, New Zealand (d. 2021)
- 1943-02-15 Ian Heads, Australian sports journalist, commentator and author who was rugby league's foremost historian (Rugby League Week), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 2024)
- 1943-08-08 Jean-Claude Marty, French rugby league winger (13 Tests; FC Lézignan XIII, Racing Club Albi XIII), born in Carcassonne, France (d. 2023)
- 1944-04-24 John McDonald, Australian rugby league centre (13 Tests; Queensland; Manly-Warringah RLFC), born in Toowoomba, Australia (d. 2023)
- 1944-05-06 Mike Coulman, English rugby union prop (9 Tests England, 1 British & Irish Lions; Moseley RUFC) and rugby league front rower (3 Tests GB, 5 England; Salford RLFC), born in Stafford, England (d. 2023)
- 1945-01-21 Arthur Beetson, Australian rugby league front rower (29 Tests; Balmain, Easts, Parramatta; RL "Immortal") and coach (2 Tests Australia, 16 games Queensland), born in Roma, Australia (d. 2011)
- 1945-03-20 Julien Rascagnères, French rugby league referee (10 Tests), born in Perpignan, France (d. 2022)
- 1945-08-02 Eric Simms, Australian rugby league fullback (8 Tests; NSWRL points record [1,841] stood until 1983; South Sydney), born in Karuah, Australia
- 1945-09-23 Ray Batten, English rugby league back-rower (Great Britain 3, England 3 Tests; Leeds 434 games) and coach (Wakefield Trinity), born in York, England (d. 2020)
- 1946-10-08 Brian Lockwood, English rugby league utility forward (16 Tests GB, 3 England; Castleford, Canterbury-Bankstown, Balmain, Wakefield Trinity, Hull KR), born in Oldham, England
- 1946-10-31 Ged Dunn, English rugby league winger (8 Tests; Hull KIngston Rovers 301 games), born in Redcar, England (d. 2021)
- 1947-03-01 John Elford, Australian rugby league winger (4 Tests; Western Suburbs RLFC, NSW), born in Casino, Australia (d. 2024)
- 1947-09-04 Paul Sait, Australian rugby league utility (7 Tests, 9 World Cup; NSWRL Premiership 1970, 71 South Sydney), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 2023)
- 1947-09-23 Bill Francis, Welsh rugby league utility back (4 Tests Great Britain, 19 Wales; Wigan, St. Helens, Oldham), born in Featherstone, England (d. 2024)
- 1947-12-01 Bob Fulton, Australian rugby league five eighth (35 Tests; Manly, Warrington, Easts; RL "Immortal") and coach (39 Tests Australia; Manly, Easts), born in Warrington, England (d. 2021)
- 1947-12-01 Dennis Ward, Australian rugby league halfback (6 Tests; Canterbury- Bankstown RLFC, Manly RLFC), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 2021)
- 1947-12-10 Brian Hogan, English rugby league forward (5 Tests; St. Helens, Wigan, Bradford Northern, Widnes), born in Merton Bank, England (d. 2022)
- 1948-02-21 Mel James, Welsh rugby league front rower (11 caps Wales; St. Helens RLFC) and rugby union prop (Swansea RFC), born in Resolven, Wales (d. 2022)
- 1948-04-12 Bill Ashurst, English rugby league second rower (3 Tests GB; Wigan, Penrith RLFC, Wakefield Trinity), born in Ince-in-Makerfield, England (d. 2022)
- 1948-07-13 Michel Maïque, French rugby league second rower (8 Tests; FC Lézignan) and politician (Mayor of Lézignan-Corbières 2014-20), born in Aude, France (d. 2021)
- 1948-10-06 Tim Pickup, Australian rugby league five eighth (11 Tests; North Sydney, Canterbury), RL executive (Adelaide Rams) and boxing manager (Jeff Harding), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 2021)
- 1949-03-04 Jeff Grayshon, English rugby league utility (England 11 caps; GB 13 caps; Dewsbury, Cronulla-Sutherland, Bradford Northern, Leeds, Featherstone Rovers, Batley), born in Birstall, England (d. 2021)
- 1950-01-01 Wayne Bennett, Australian rugby league coach (Australia 1998, 2004-05; England & Great Britain 2019; Brisbane Broncos, St. George, South Sydney), born in Allora, Australia
- 1950-01-19 Phil Lowe, English rugby league second rower who played 12 Tests for Great Britain and 5 England; Hull KR, Manly Warringah RLFC, born in Hull, England (d. 2024)
- 1950-03-28 John Whittaker, New Zealand rugby league utility back (26 Tests; Wellington; Warrington), born in Wellington, New Zealand (d. 2020)
- 1950-04-13 Tommy Raudonikis, Australian rugby league halfback (20 Tests; Rothmans Medal 1972; Wests, Newtown) and coach (Wests, NSW), born in Bathurst, Australia (d. 2021)
- 1950-10-17 Eric Hughes, English rugby league utility back (10 Tests England, 8 Great Britain; Widnes 481 games), born in Prescot district, England (d. 2020)
- 1951-04-11 Glyn Shaw, Welsh rugby union prop (12 caps; Neath RFC), and rugby league prop (7 caps Wales, 1 GB; Widnes RLFC, Wigan RLFC), born in Rhigos, Wales (d. 2022)
- 1951-06-28 Mick Cronin, Australian rugby league centre (33 Tests; NSW 25 games; Parramatta RLFC 216 games), and coach (Parramatta RLFC 1990-93), born in Kiama, Australia
- 1952-12-01 Les Dyl, English rugby league utility back (11 caps Great Britain, 13 England; Leeds RLFC, Bramley RLFC), born in Castleford, England (d. 2022)
- 1953-03-04 Ray Price, Australian rugby league lock (22 Tests; Parramatta RLFC 259 games; Dally M Medal, Rothmans Medal) and rugby union flanker (7 Tests; Parramatta RUFC), born in Sydney, Australia
- 1953-07-05 David Morrow, Australian Rugby League HOF broadcaster (ABC, 2GB), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 2024)
- 1954-11-20 Steve Rogers, Australian rugby league centre (24 Tests; NSW; Cronulla-Sutherland), born in Gold Coast, Australia (d. 2006)
- 1957-01-05 Kevin Hastings, Australian rugby league footballer, born in Surry Hills, Australia
- 1957-04-23 Olsen Filipaina, New Zealand rugby league five eighth (28 Tests; Auckland RL, Balmain RLFC, Eastern Suburbs RLFC, North Sydney DRLFC), born in Kaikohe, New Zealand (d. 2022)
- 1958-06-17 Des Drummond, Jamaican rugby league winner (24 Tests Great Britain, 4 England; Leigh RLFC, Warrington RLFC), born in Savanna-la-Mar, Jamaica (d. 2022)
- 1958-08-21 Max Chantal, French rugby league forward (27 Tests; US Villeneuve XIII), born in Villeneuve-sur-Lot, France (d. 2023)
- 1958-12-03 David Stephenson, English rugby league outside back (10 caps Great Britain; Wigan RLFC, Salford RLFC), born in Lytham St Annes, England (d. 2022)
- 1959-12-01 Wally Lewis, Australian rugby league five eighth, coach and broadcaster (34 Tests; Queensland 38 games; RL "Immortal"), born in Brisbane, Australia
- 1960-06-21 Kevin Beardmore, English rugby league hooker (14 caps GB, 1 England; Castleford RLFC 247 games), born in Pontefract district, England (d. 2022)
- 1960-07-08 Mal Meninga, Australian rugby league centre (46 Tests, 32 games Queensland; St. Helens, Canberra; RL "Immortal") and coach (Australia, 30 games Queensland, Canberra), born in Bundaberg, Australia
- 1961-03-27 Ellery Hanley, British rugby league player, born in Leeds
Deaths in Sport
- 1943-01-08 Albert Goldthorpe, English rugby league five eighth (RL pioneer; Hunslet 713 games), dies at 71
- 1958-07-05 Frank Burge, Australian rugby league forward (13 Tests, 26 games NSW; Glebe, St. George; RL "Immortal") and coach (St. George, North Sydney, Western Suburbs, Newtown), dies of a heart attack at 63
- 1959-11-24 Dally Messenger, Australian rugby league centre (9 Tests; NSW; Eastern Suburbs; ARL 'Immortal'; Dally M Medal) and rugby union utility (2 caps), dies from heart failure at 76
- 1964-01-15 Harry Sunderland, Australian rugby league administrator (manager 1929–30 Kangaroo tour of GB; Queensland RFL secretary 1913-22; inspired establishment RL in France), dies at 74
- 1965-01-08 Albert Asher, New Zealand dual-code rugby union and rugby league winger (RU 11 caps; RL Australasia 2 Tests, NZ 1), dies at 85
- 1974-02-23 Dave Brown, Australian rugby league centre (9 Tests, 19 games NSW; Eastern Suburbs, Warrington; RL "Immortal") and coach (Eastern Suburbs), dies from cancer at 60
- 1978-06-22 Tom Gorman, Australian rugby league centre and captain (10 Tests; Queensland 34 games), dies at 77
- 1980-08-02 Verdun Scott, New Zealand cricket batsman (10 Tests, 3 x 50; Auckland) and rugby league utility back (1 Test; Auckland Pakehā), dies at 64
- 1985-08-09 Clive Churchill, Australian rugby league fullback (37 Tests; NSW 27 games; South Sydney; RL "Immortal") and coach (Australia 29 Tests, South Sydney), dies at 58
- 1990-12-22 Ken Irvine, Australian rugby league winger (31 Tests; NSW 24 games; North Sydney RLFC, Manly-Warringah RLFC; record first-grade career tries–212), dies from chronic myeloid leukaemia at 50
- 1991-06-03 Brian Bevan, Australian Rugby League HOF winger (Warrington 620 games, 740 tries), dies at 67
- 1991-10-28 George Treweeke, Australian Rugby League second rower (7 Tests, South Sydney), dies at 86
- 1994-10-17 Gus Risman, Welsh rugby league centre, fullback (18 Tests Wales, 17 Great Britain, 1 England; Salford RLFC, Workington Town RLFC) and coach (Bradford Northern, Salford, Workington Town), dies at 83
- 2006-01-03 Steve Rogers, Australian rugby league centre (24 Tests; NSW; Cronulla-Sutherland), dies after swallowing combination of prescription drugs and alcohol at 51
- 2006-08-15 Rick Bourke, Australian rugby league player (Cronulla), dies of cancer at 52
- 2007-11-19 Mike Gregory, English rugby league footballer, dies from progressive muscular atrophy at 43
- 2008-03-20 Eric Ashton, English rugby league footballer (b. 1935)
- 2008-05-09 Jack Gibson, Australian rugby league footballer and coach, dies at 79
- 2011-12-01 Arthur Beetson, Australian rugby league front rower (29 Tests; Balmain, Easts, Parramatta; RL "Immortal") and coach (2 Tests Australia, 16 games Queensland), dies of a heart attack at 66
- 2012-11-14 Brian Davies, Australian rugby league forward (27 Tests, 6 World Cup; Queensland 31 games; Brothers, Canterbury-Bankstown), dies at 82
- 2013-04-04 Ian Walsh, Australian rugby league hooker (25 Tests [10 as captain]; St. George RLFC) and coach (Australia 5 Tests; St. George, Parramatta), dies at 80
- 2013-11-09 Steve Prescott, English rugby league fullback (2 Tests England, 4 Ireland; St. Helens RLFC, Hull RLFC, Wakefield Trinity RLFC), dies of cancer at 39
- 2014-05-11 Reg Gasnier, Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame centre and captain (36 Tests; 3 World Cups; St. George RLFC), dies at 74
- 2018-01-20 Graeme Langlands, Australian rugby league fullback, captain and coach (24 Tests; St. George RLFC; ARL "Immortal"), dies from dementia and Alzheimer's disease at 76
- 2018-05-02 Cliff Watson, English rugby league front rower (30 Tests GB, 4 England; St Helens 373 games, Cronulla-Sutherland), dies of cancer at 78
- 2019-12-20 Frank Foster, English rugby league lock (1 Test GB; Workington Town, Hull Kingston Rovers, Bradford Northern) and coach (Barrow, Whitehaven), dies at 79
- 2019-12-30 Johnny Ward, English rugby league hooker (4 Tests Great Britain, 3 England; Castleford 262 games), dies at 78
- 2019-12-31 Basil Watts, English rugby league second rower (5 Tests Great Britain, 1 England; World Cup 1954; York RLFC), dies at 93
- 2020-02-24 Don Furner, Australian rugby league forward (1 Test) and coach (Australia 15 Tests; Eastern Suburbs, Canberra Raiders), dies at 87
- 2020-03-27 Frank Myler, English rugby league stand-off (24 caps Great Britain, 1 England; Widnes, St. Helens) and coach (Widnes, Swinton, Oldham), dies at 81
- 2020-05-16 Arthur Summons, Australian rugby union fly-half (10 Tests; Gordon RFC) and rugby league five-eighth (9 Tests; Western Suburbs RLFC), dies at 84
- 2020-05-30 Bobby Dimond, Australian rugby league winger (24 Tests; NSW, Western Suburbs), dies at 89
- 2020-06-14 Noel Kelly, Australian rugby league hooker (25 Tests; Queensland, NSW, Western Suburbs) and coach (Western Suburbs, North Sydney), dies from a stroke at 84
- 2020-08-13 Eric Hughes, English rugby league utility back (10 Tests England, 8 Great Britain; Widnes 481 games), dies from cancer at 73
- 2020-09-23 Ray Batten, English rugby league back-rower (Great Britain 3, England 3 Tests; Leeds 434 games) and coach (Wakefield Trinity), dies at 75
- 2020-09-29 John Whittaker, New Zealand rugby league utility back (26 Tests; Wellington; Warrington), dies from cancer at 70
- 2021-01-21 David Bolton, English rugby league five eighth (23 caps Great Britain; Wigan, Balmain) and coach (Parramatta), dies at 83
- 2021-02-06 Ken McCaffery, Australian rugby league centre (12 Tests; North Sydney; Queensland), broadcaster (9 Network) and administrator (North Sydney DRLFC), dies at 91
- 2021-03-21 Jeff Grayshon, English rugby league utility (England 11 caps; GB 13 caps; Dewsbury, Cronulla-Sutherland, Bradford Northern, Leeds, Featherstone Rovers, Batley), dies at 72
- 2021-04-07 Tommy Raudonikis, Australian rugby league halfback (20 Tests; Rothmans Medal 1972; Wests, Newtown) and coach (Wests, NSW), dies from cancer at 70
- 2021-05-23 Bob Fulton, Australian rugby league five eighth (35 Tests; Manly, Warrington, Easts; RL "Immortal") and coach (39 Tests Australia; Manly, Easts), dies from cancer at 73
- 2021-06-07 Tim Pickup, Australian rugby league five eighth (11 Tests; North Sydney, Canterbury), RL executive (Adelaide Rams) and boxing manager (Jeff Harding), dies from dementia at 72
- 2021-08-02 Ged Dunn, English rugby league winger (8 Tests; Hull KIngston Rovers 301 games), dies at 74
- 2021-08-11 Dick Huddart, English rugby league second rower (16 Tests Great Britain; St. Helens, St. George), dies at 85
- 2021-08-15 Gary Woollard, New Zealand rugby league five eighth (10 Tests; Wellington), dies at 79
- 2021-09-12 Michel Maïque, French rugby league second rower (8 Tests; FC Lézignan) and politician (Mayor of Lézignan-Corbières 2014-20), dies from acute pancreatitis at 73
- 2021-09-29 Glyn Moses, Welsh rugby league fullback (2 caps Wales. 9 Great Britain; Salford, St. Helens), dies at 93
- 2021-10-13 Norm Provan, Australian rugby league second rower (14 Tests; St. George RLFC NSWRL Premiers 1956-66; RL "Immortal") and coach (St. George, Parramatta, Cronulla), dies at 89
- 2021-12-11 Dennis Ward, Australian rugby league halfback (6 Tests; Canterbury- Bankstown RLFC, Manly RLFC), dies at 74
- 2021-12-25 John Gleeson, Australian rugby league five eighth (10 Tests; Queensland 25 games; Wynnum-Manly, Brothers RLFC), dies at 82
- 2022-01-29 Des Drummond, Jamaican rugby league winner (24 Tests Great Britain, 4 England; Leigh RLFC, Warrington RLFC), dies at 63
- 2022-02-09 Johnny Raper, Australian rugby league lock (33 Tests, 6 World Cup games; Newtown RLFC, St. George RLFC; Inaugural RL "Immortal") and coach (St. George, RLFC, Cronulla RLFC), dies from dementia at 82
- 2022-02-10 Olsen Filipaina, New Zealand rugby league five eighth (28 Tests; Auckland RL, Balmain RLFC, Eastern Suburbs RLFC, North Sydney DRLFC), dies from kidney failure at 64
- 2022-02-13 Johnny Whiteley, English rugby league back rower (15 Tests GB, 1 England; Hull RLFC 417 games) and coach (GB, England, Hull RLFC, Hull KR), dies at 91
- 2022-02-24 Va'aiga Tuigamala, Samoan rugby union centre/winger (19 Tests NZ, 23 Samoa; Newcastle Falcons, Auckland RU) and rugby league (2 Tests, Samoa; Wigan Warriors), dies from diabetes at 52
- 2022-03-15 David Stephenson, English rugby league outside back (10 caps Great Britain; Wigan RLFC, Salford RLFC), dies at 63
- 2022-03-17 Alan Rees, Welsh rugby union fly-half (3 Tests; Maesteg RFC), rugby league five eighth (Leeds RLFC) and cricket all-rounder (Glamorgan CCC), dies at 84
- 2022-04-15 Tony Brown, Australian rugby league five-eighth (10 Tests; Newtown RLFC, Penrith RLFC), dies at 86
- 2022-05-10 Glyn Shaw, Welsh rugby union prop (12 caps; Neath RFC), and rugby league prop (7 caps Wales, 1 GB; Widnes RLFC, Wigan RLFC), dies at 71
- 2022-05-22 Les Dyl, English rugby league utility back (11 caps Great Britain, 13 England; Leeds RLFC, Bramley RLFC), dies at 69
- 2022-06-14 Bill Ashurst, English rugby league second rower (3 Tests GB; Wigan, Penrith RLFC, Wakefield Trinity), dies at 74
- 2022-07-20 Phil Jackson, English rugby league inside back (29 Tests GB, 1 England; World Cup 1954, 57 GB 6 games; Barrow RLFC), dies at 90
- 2022-08-11 Paul Green, Australian rugby league coach (North Queensland Cowboys NRL premiership 2015; Queensland) and halfback (Australia SL 2 games, Queensland 7 games), dies by suicide at 49
- 2022-09-19 Julien Rascagnères, French rugby league referee (10 Tests), dies at 77
- 2022-11-13 Kevin Beardmore, English rugby league hooker (14 caps GB, 1 England; Castleford RLFC 247 games), dies at 62
- 2022-11-26 Brian Hogan, English rugby league forward (5 Tests; St. Helens, Wigan, Bradford Northern, Widnes), dies at 74
- 2022-12-11 Mel James, Welsh rugby league front rower (11 caps Wales; St. Helens RLFC) and rugby union prop (Swansea RFC), dies at 74
- 2022-12-26 Tom Danby, English dual-code international wing: rugby union (1 cap; Harlequin RFC) and rugby league (3 caps England, 3 caps GB; Salford RLFC), dies at 96
- 2023-01-09 Max Chantal, French rugby league forward (27 Tests; US Villeneuve XIII), dies at 64
- 2023-01-17 Jean-Claude Marty, French rugby league winger (13 Tests; FC Lézignan XIII, Racing Club Albi XIII), dies at 79
- 2023-01-23 Fred Lindop, British rugby league referee (22 Tests; World Cup Final 1970; 5 x Challenge Cup Finals), dies at 84
- 2023-02-17 John Holdsworth, English rugby league referee (2 x Challenge Cup Finals; record 6 x Premiership Finals; first World Club Challenge 1987: Wigan beat Manly 8-2), dies at 76
- 2023-03-20 John Sattler, Australian rugby league prop (4 Tests; NSWRL Premiership 1967, 68, 70, 71 South Sydney), dies from dementia at 80
- 2023-04-22 Mike Coulman, English rugby union prop (9 Tests England, 1 British & Irish Lions; Moseley RUFC) and rugby league front rower (3 Tests GB, 5 England; Salford RLFC), dies at 78
- 2023-06-22 Bev Risman, English rugby union fly-half (8 Tests England, 4 British & Irish Lions; University of Oxford RFC) and rugby league fullback (5 Tests GB, 1 England; Leigh RLFC, Leeds RLFC), dies at 85
- 2023-09-03 David Watkins, Welsh rugby union fly-half (21 Tests Wales, 6 British & Irish Lions; Newport RFC), rugby league utility (16 Tests Wales, 6 GB; Salford RLFC) and coach (4 Tests GB, 3 Wales), dies at 81
- 2023-09-13 John McDonald, Australian rugby league centre (13 Tests; Queensland; Manly-Warringah RLFC), dies at 79
- 2023-09-16 Lionel Morgan, Australian rugby league winger (3 Tests; first Indigenous Australian to play in a recognised RL Test), dies at 85
- 2023-11-23 Paul Sait, Australian rugby league utility (7 Tests, 9 World Cup; NSWRL Premiership 1970, 71 South Sydney), dies at 76
- 2023-12-04 Marius Frattini, French rugby league halfback (6 Tests; Avignon, Cavaillon, Entraigues), dies at 82
- 2023-12-13 Des White, New Zealand rugby league fullback (21 Tests, 132 points; Ponsonby RLFC), dies at 96
- 2024-01-06 Malcolm Price, Welsh rugby union centre (9 Tests Wales, 5 British & Irish Lions; Pontypool RFC) and rugby league centre (2 Tests GB; Oldham RLFC, Rochdale Hornets), dies at 86
- 2024-01-30 Abe Terry, English rugby league front rower (11 Tests; Challenge Cup 1961 St. Helens RLFC [216 games]), dies at 89
- 2024-02-04 John Elford, Australian rugby league winger (4 Tests; Western Suburbs RLFC, NSW), dies at 76
- 2024-02-17 Bill Francis, Welsh rugby league utility back (4 Tests Great Britain, 19 Wales; Wigan, St. Helens, Oldham), dies at 76
- 2024-03-04 Lewis Jones, Welsh rugby union outside back (10 Tests Wales, 3 British Lions; Neath, Llanelli) and rugby league utility (2 Tests Wales, 17 Great Britain; Leeds, Wentworthville), dies at 92
- 2024-03-20 Phil Lowe, English rugby league second rower who played 12 Tests for Great Britain and 5 England; Hull KR, Manly Warringah RLFC, dies at 74
- 2024-03-25 Ian Heads, Australian sports journalist, commentator and author who was rugby league's foremost historian (Rugby League Week), dies at 81
- 2024-04-08 Keith Barnes, Australian rugby league fullback (17 Tests, 10 as captain; Balmain RLFC), dies at 89
- 2024-04-24 Terry Hill, Australian rugby league utility (9 Tests; NSW 14 games; Manly 126 games), dies from a heart attack at 52
- 2024-05-12 Ron Lynch, Australian rugby league forward (12 Tests; NSW 17 games, Parramatta 194 games), dies at 84
- 2024-06-02 Rob Burrow, English rugby league halfback (England 15 Tests, GB 5 Tests; Super League C'ships 2004, 07, 08, 09, 11, 12, 15, 17; Leeds Rhinos), dies of MND at 41
- 2024-07-10 Bob Banks, Australian rugby league five-eighth (15 Tests, 2 World Cup; Queensland 26 games), dies at 94
- 2024-07-16 David Morrow, Australian Rugby League HOF broadcaster (ABC, 2GB), dies from cancer at 71
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