Mention the rugby league Ashes, and it’s hard not to think of Adrian Morley, a brutal hit and a red card after just 12 seconds.
Whatever happens when Australia visit this October and November, the series is unlikely to start quite as explosively as that first Test in Wigan 22 years ago.
One of the most feared forwards in the game, Morley poleaxed Australia prop Robbie Kearns straight from the kick-off with a high tackle.
The Great Britain forward, who played his club rugby in the NRL for Sydney Roosters at the time, was dismissed by referee Steve Ganson with the words: “Adrian. Adrian. It’s a real bad one. It’s across the chin. You’re off mate.”
Morley’s former Great Britain team-mate Jon Wilkin said: “He said that when he got sent off, he was back in the dressing room before the mascot had taken his head off.
“The mascot took his head off and said ‘What are you doing back in here?'”
Wilkin, Jamie Peacock and Brian Noble have recalled the extraordinary incident for a new weekly BBC podcast which has its first episode released on Thursday – Rugby League Top 10.
In the first episode, presenter Mark Chapman sets them the task of ranking the sport’s hard men.
Former Great Britain captain Peacock, who played alongside Morley in that 2003 series, said: “His brother got to the game late. He got to his seat about 20 minutes in, and said ‘I think I’m going to put some money on. Has our Adrian scored?’ And someone replied ‘Well, you can ask him, he’s sat there’.”
Each week Peacock, Noble and Wilkin will discuss, debate and argue over lists of the best players, games, finals and iconic moments in rugby league.
But as Chapman pointed out, the lists don’t cover the entire history of rugby league, “because we’d be here for hours”, and nor are they restricted to the Super League era. Instead, “the cut-off point for these lists is roughly 40 years ago”.
Morley, the first British player to win a Grand Final in both Super League and the NRL, is one of 10 hard men that the panel must rank – with the others, in alphabetical order, being: Stuart Fielden, Thomas Leuluai, Barrie McDermott, Terry Newton, Malcolm Reilly, Kelvin Skerrett, Gorden Tallis, Ruben Wiki and Paul Wood.
BBC News
Khamrah by Lattafa for Men - 3.4 oz EDP Spray
4% OffLaunched by the design house of Lattafa This aromatic spicy fragrance has a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and bergamot, dates, praline, tuberose and mahonial, vanilla, tonka bean, benzoin, myrrh, amberwood, and akigalawood It is suitable for all skin typ... read more
Ghost Sweetheart Eau de Toilette | Pineapple, Jasmine and Sandalwood | Perfume for Women 50 ml
50% OffSoft and Romantic: Ghost sweetheart eau de toilette is an enchanting fragrance designed to embody the fresh, spontaneous spirit of sweet, new love Feminine and Sensual: This modern amber floral perfume is perfect for the young, romantic woman, offeri... read more
Marc Jacobs Dot Eau De Parfum for Women, 100 ml
42% OffFragrance from the designer house of Marc Jacobs An eau de parfum for women A divine scent 100 ml bottle Base notes of Driftwood, vanilla, musk
Ted Baker W Eau de Toilette for Her, Fig Leaf, White Peony and Violet Top Notes, Pink Orchid and Raspberry Middle Notes, 75ml
£11.77 (£15.69 / 100 ml) (as of 30/09/2026 05:08 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Elegant Womens Perfume: A fragrance for women that blends floral and fruity notes, suitable for daily wear or special occasions Floral & Fruity Notes: Top notes of fig leaf, white peony, and African violet, with a heart of pink orchid, cassis, and ra... read more
Ted Baker Woman Pink Eau de Toilette Spray Floral Green Feminine Fragrance, Opening Notes are Fresh Peach, Bergamot and Tangerine with Warm Musk, Vanilla and Vetiver Base, 100ml
11% OffFruity Perfume for Women: Opens with peach, apple & bergamot, blooms with jasmine & lily, settles into musk & vanilla. Luxury Designer Perfume: Designer perfume for women with a refined, elegant scent that elevates your senses. Long-Lasting Eau de To... read more
Vera Wang Princess Eau de Toilette - 30 ml
Fragrance from the designer house of Vera Wang An eau de toilette for women Volume: 30 ml bottle Base notes of water lily, apple, tuberose, vanilla and amber, Floral and fruity scent Note: The color of the bottle is pinky/purple
Choco Musk 50ml Eau De Parfum for men and women | Chocolate Musk by Jannat Aromas
17% OffTop Notes: Vanilla, warm Spicy, chocolate Middle Notes: Powdery, sweet, musky Base Notes: Woody, cacao, cinnamon, amber
Christina Aguilera Signature Eau de Parfum (50ml) Floral, Fruity & Exotic Scent, Luxury Fragrance for Women
9% OffFloral, oriental scent Notes of Night Blooming Jasmine, Turkish Rose Feminine, elegant, unforgettable Fragrance for her Christina Aguilera fragrance collection
Calvin Klein - Eau De Toilette CKIN2U - Calvin Klein Women, Ladies Perfume, Women's Perfume, Calvin Klein Perfume, Calvin Klein One - 150 ml
5% OffSensual; powerful; instinctive A female interpretation of an oriental lavender with amber 1.7 fl oz (50 ml) Model number: 4228
Jimmy Choo Flash Eau de Parfum, 60 ml (Pack of 1)
3% OffAn Eau De Parfum for women 60 ml bottle Long lasting fragrance All skin types
Fruit of the Loom Men's Heavy T Shirt, White, XL UK
28% OffFruit of the Loom Men's Heavy Cotton Short Sleeve T-Shirt Regular fit crew neck collar Machine washable at 30°C Quantity per pack: five
ATNKE LED Lighted Beanie Cap,USB Rechargeable Running Hat Ultra Bright 4 LED Waterproof Light Winter Warm Gifts for Men and Women/Pink
17% OffVISIBILITY & SAFETY:You can adjust the brightness by pressing the button. There are 3 modes for you to choose the most suitable brightness. It can last up to 6-8 hours in the lowest level, 4 hours in medium level and 2 hours in the highest level. USB... read more
Men's 1/4 Zip Pullover UK Sale Clearance, Fleece Sweatshirt Casual Jumper Long Sleeve T-shirt Top Stand Collar Sweater Plain Pullover Sports Leisure Workwear Quarter Zip Sweater Lightweight Jumpers
£5.88 (as of 12/11/2025 00:52 GMT +01:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)✤✤【Best Services】: We are a company focused on providing quality clothing, service and quality are trustworthy, If you have any questions, Please contact us in time, We will provide the best customer service, and do our best to give you a satisfactor... read more
Crevice Cleaning Brush, Bathroom Tile Groove Gap Cleaning Brush,Premium Crevice Cleaning Tool Aluminum Support with 15° Angle Magic Brush, Thin Brush for Home Kitchen
19% Off【Crevice Cleaning Brush Material】 Hard-Bristled Cevice Cleaning Brush is ultra-fine PET bristles that are much harder than a toothbrush, the Gap Brush can deep into cracks as well 【Gap Cleaning Brush】They have a long and thin handle, so these Grout C... read more
Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.3 Headphones in Ear with HiFi Stereo Deep Bass, 4 ENC Noise Cancelling Mic Wireless Earphones 40H Playtime, Bluetooth Earbuds Dual LED Display, IP7 Waterproof, USB-C
42% Off2025 Upgraded Bluetooth 5.3 and One-Step Pairing: A97 Bluetooth earphones have the most advanced Bluetooth 5.3 technology, provides faster and more stable signal transmission and successfully achieves low latency without interruption. Once open the l... read more
Jmwedia Fast Absorbent Microfiber Towels sales today clearance prime only of return pallets for sale liquidation bulk of prime of day clothing Soft Kitchen Dishcloths today deals prime women
17% OffDesigned to be more durable, they soften with each wash, so these dish towels won't scratch your delicate cookware, plates and pans. The color variations offer great options for your kitchen decorating . Pick any color kitchen rag you want and set yo... read more
Advertisements
