Ron ‘Rambo’ Gibbs reckons Geoff Toovey would lose even more hair if he was coaching him today.
The reason – the clean up by the NRL on the controversial shoulder charge rule.
“I don’t think I would be lasting too long. I would be lining up a fair bit at Rugby League Central,’’ confessed Gibbs, one of the Sea Eagles’ greatest hitmen of all time.
“I know the NRL has got to clean up the game with these shoulder charges. They are looking out for players’ welfare and in the long run, it will be good for everyone.”
Now based in Dubbo, Gibbs will be at Brookvale Oval this Sunday for the clash against the Parramatta Eels to celebrate the inaugural Golden Eagles Day.
Gibbs will be one of 150 former Sea Eagles players walking from Manly Leagues Club to Brookvale Oval at 2.30pm before doing a lap of honour and later forming a guard of honour for the NRL team.
The tough back-rower played in the 1987 premiership winning Manly Warringah side under coach Bob Fulton.
“It is great the Golden Eagles are pulling us together again. Playing Parramatta is even better. There has always been a great rivalry there. It brings the best out in both clubs,’’ Gibbs said.
“I’ve been a Manly supporter since I was a kid. Being coached by my hero, Bob Fulton, back in those days, it really did push me to hate Parramatta because of their success in the 1970s and 80s.
“I don’t get back here enough but when I do, I love going to Brookie. We just have to play our best and keep winning, and hopefully get into the top eight. It was looking a bit shaky about eight weeks ago when we were sitting on the bottom of the table.
“(The turnaround) shows you how good the club is and how good the players are. A couple of players have come back from injury and now we are back on track.”
As for that nick-name, Gibbs said it originated when he was playing for Eastern Suburbs when the then coach, the late Arthur Beetson, took the team to see the then new film ‘Rambo’ the night before playing the Raiders in Canberra.
“When I was a kid, I use to watch Bruce Lee films and would come out kicking and karate chopping everything. That’s what happened with Rambo. It sort of stuck the next day,’’ Gibbs said.
“We had a good win against Canberra and a few of their players were taken off on stretchers.
“Rambo took everyone out in the movie and the Easts boys named me Rambo. It has stuck ever since.
“I loved every minute of playing. I would do it all over again. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Manly Warringah v Parramatta Eels
Sunday, August 23, “Golden Eagles Day”
Match Day Sponsor - Kyocera
Gates open: 1:30pm
NYC Kick-off: 1:45pm
Golden Eagles Walk from Manly Leagues Club to Brookvale Oval: 2.30pm
NRL Kick-off: 4pm
Tickets
Phone: 136 100
Online: http://bit.ly/1N2D1NO
