December 05, 2023
Cheeky step put Rambo in class of his own
The former head of New Zealand Rugby League chair John Tamihere says former Auckland and Māori representative Neville Ramsey brought fitness, speed, personality and a tricky sidestep to the field.
Mr Ramsey, widely known as Rambo, died on Saturday aged of 60.
He played for much of the 1990s in the English competitions, but returned in 1996 to help Counties Manukau claim the Lion Red Cup.
Mr Tamihere says he was a familiar sight running the roads of Mangere and Ihumatao as part of his training routine.
“Personalities and characters like him make the world go round. His special character on the field was because he had cheek and pluck off it. He comes from an era when men were made of steel and wood was chips. Things have changed,” Mr Tamihere says.