Nathan Gibbs
Encyclopedia
Nathan Gibbs, M.B.B.S. is an Australian former professional rugby league
footballer. He played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs
and Parramatta Eels
in the New South Wales Rugby League
(NSWRL) competition.
Gibbs was a South Sydney junior but was graded by Eastern Suburbs
during his final year at school. He returned to South Sydney and made his first-grade debut in 1978. Gibbs went on to captain the club and was the Dally M
Second Rower of the Year in 1980.
After a season with Parramatta
in 1984, he retired aged 24 to focus on a career in medicine. During the 1990s, he was team doctor
for Manly Warringah
, New South Wales and the Australian Kangaroos
. In 1990, it was Gibbs that made the decision, controversial at the time, to rule Wally Lewis
unfit to play for the Kangaroos. Following the appointment of Chris Anderson
as coach of the Kangaroos in 1999, Gibbs was replaced by then Canterbury doctor, Hugh Hazard.
Gibbs continues to work in the rugby league arena and is also club doctor for the Sydney Swans
where he was appointed Life Membership on October 1, 2010.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer. He played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
and Parramatta Eels
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
in the New South Wales Rugby League
New South Wales Rugby League
The New South Wales Rugby League is the governing body of rugby league in New South Wales and is a member of the Australian Rugby League. It was formed in Sydney on 8 August 1907 and was known as the New South Wales Rugby Football League until 1984 when forward thinking marketing managers decided...
(NSWRL) competition.
Gibbs was a South Sydney junior but was graded by Eastern Suburbs
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
during his final year at school. He returned to South Sydney and made his first-grade debut in 1978. Gibbs went on to captain the club and was the Dally M
Dally M Medal
The Dally M Medal is the premier individual award in the Australian rugby league competition, which is given to the player voted by sports commentators as the best and fairest in the competition for that year....
Second Rower of the Year in 1980.
After a season with Parramatta
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
in 1984, he retired aged 24 to focus on a career in medicine. During the 1990s, he was team doctor
Team physician
The team physician for a sports team is the physician who is in charge of coordinating the medical staff and medical services for a sports team. They are also subject to activities involving team building...
for Manly Warringah
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are an Australian professional rugby league club based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League's Telstra Premiership, the premier rugby league competition of Australasia...
, New South Wales and the Australian Kangaroos
Australian national rugby league team
The Australian national rugby league team have represented Australia in senior men's rugby league football competition since the establishment of the game in Australia in 1908. Administered by the Australian Rugby League, the Kangaroos' are ranked number one in the RLIF World Rankings...
. In 1990, it was Gibbs that made the decision, controversial at the time, to rule Wally Lewis
Wally Lewis
Walter James "Wally" Lewis AM is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. Currently a commentator of the sport, he is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time...
unfit to play for the Kangaroos. Following the appointment of Chris Anderson
Chris Anderson
Chris Anderson may refer to:* Chris Anderson , founder of Future Publishing and curator of the TED Conference* Chris Anderson , author, journalist, editor-in-chief of Wired Magazine, popularized "The Long Tail"* Chris Anderson , football player, educator, former Vice-Chairman of Aberdeen F.C.*...
as coach of the Kangaroos in 1999, Gibbs was replaced by then Canterbury doctor, Hugh Hazard.
Gibbs continues to work in the rugby league arena and is also club doctor for the Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
where he was appointed Life Membership on October 1, 2010.