Rheinberger, who played in the centre position, was virtually plucked out of obscurity by Easts' coach Jack Gibson.
Rheinberger had spent the early months of the 1974 season trialling with the Eastern Suburbs rugby union fourth grade side as a winger, Ironically, they were unable to find a place for him.
Following the 1975 grand final John Rheinberger never played in another first grade match, suffering a serious shoulder injury in the following year's pre-season.
Rheinberger made his return in the club's Under 23s side that year, and again won a premiership.
This Australian rugby league football biography is a stub.