The Waratahs have bolstered their scrumhalf stocks ahead of the expanded Super Rugby competition with Brendan McKibbin signing a two-year deal which will keep the Scottish-born No.9 at NSW until 2012.
McKibbin joined the Junior Waratahs in 2010 and after impressing throughout the trials and ‘A’ Program, the former Queensland Red has continued his strong form with Eastern Suburbs in the Tooheys New Shute Shield.
After making his Super 14 debut in 2009 but failing to push his way into the Waratahs match day squad this season, McKibbin has his sights firmly set on making his mark in 2011.
"If I didn’t genuinely believe I could get the Waratahs No.9 jersey here then I wouldn’t have stayed," said McKibbin.
"I’ve really enjoyed the change of lifestyle since coming to Sydney, but as a footballer you want to be playing at the highest level and I still believe my best chance of doing that is by remaining with the Waratahs.
"It’s a very strong environment here in terms of challenging each other to achieve the best they can and I’d like to think I’m still improving as a footballer. If I continue to do that here then hopefully I’ll be knocking on the door for a spot once next season comes around."
A former Queensland U16 and U20 flanker, McKibbin made the switch to halfback when he joined the Reds Academy in 2006 and the following year was selected in the Ballymore Tornadoes for the Mazda Australian Rugby Championship.
In 2008 McKibbin was the top pointscorer in the Brisbane club Rugby competition and was also the runaway winner in the Alec Evans Medal for the competition’s best and fairest player.
Following the season McKibbin was selected on the Reds Development Tour of Europe and then took up the opportunity of a short stint with Saracens in England.
McKibbin returned to the Reds Academy at the start of 2009 and made his Super 14 debut mid-season against the Chiefs, going on to be capped on four occasions. Later in the year McKibbin lifted the Hospitals Cup as the premiership-winning captain of Brothers before heading south just one month later to join the Junior Waratahs.
McKibbin is the fifth player from the 2010 Junior Waratahs program to be promoted to the Super 14 squad next year along with Kane Douglas, Locky McCaffrey, Pat McCutcheon and Paddy Ryan.
** In other squad news, former Emerging Springbok second rower Hendrik Roodt has returned to South Africa after being released from the second year of his contract with the Waratahs.
Roodt made one appearance off the bench during the 2010 Super 14 season and has returned to his home country where he hopes to link with a local franchise.
Brendan McKibbin
Position: Scrumhalf
Physical: 175cm, 85kg
Born: 19.09.85, Scotland
School: Marist Brothers Ashgrove
Juniors: Brothers
Club: Eastern Suburbs
State Caps: 4 [Queensland Reds 4]
State Points: 10 [Queensland Reds 10 (5c)]
State Debut: 2008 v Chiefs [Queensland Reds]
Super Rugby Caps: 4 [Queensland Reds 4]
Super Rugby Points: 10 [Queensland Reds 10 (5c)]
Super Rugby Debut: 2008 v Chiefs [Queensland Reds]
Test Caps: 0
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