‘It’s just not possible’: Wallaby Matt Gibbon suffers career-ending injury

Wallabies prop Matt Gibbon has retired from professional rugby after suffering a career-ending knee injury during pre-season with the Queensland Reds. Gibbon dislocated his knee and sustained cartilage damage just before Christmas, leading to months of rehabilitation.

The 30-year-old consulted multiple specialists in an effort to get back on the field for the Reds, but the club announced on Wednesday that Gibbon, as per the media release, “has ruled out any chance of a return to the field.”

This brings a popular Australian rugby career to a close, with Gibbon playing six matches for the Wallabies, having debuted at Test level in 2022 against Los Pumas in Mendoza. Gibbon also made a further six appearances for Australia A, including a clash with Portugal in 2023.

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Gibbon represented the Melbourne Rebels on 75 occasions between 2018 and 2023 before making the move north to Queensland, debuting for the Reds against Wales at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium last July.

The loosehead prop, who became Red No. 1401 with that debut against the Welsh, also played against Tonga and in a non-cap tour game against Japan Rugby League One heavyweights Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights before suffering the injury later in 2024.

“I would have loved to have played for another five years,” Gibbon said in a statement.

“I thought it was going to come good, but it just didn’t. As much as I would love to come back and keep performing at the top level, it’s just not possible anymore.”

Gibbon debuted at Super Rugby level for the Rebels away to the Brumbies on February 15, 2019. After coming off the bench in 12 of 16 appearances that season, Gibbon became a regular starer the following season, featuring in the run-on side on seven occasions.

After a few strong seasons with the Rebels, Gibbon was named to debut for the Wallabies away to Argentina, playing in both Tests abroad off the bench. The front-rower also played Tests away to Scotland, France, Italy and South Africa during his international career.

Gibbon’s last Super Rugby match was also the Rebels’ final outing, facing the Hurricanes in the quarter-finals last season. Under coach Kevin Foote, Gibbon was once again a mainstay of the Rebels’ side before signing with the Reds.

“That Wales game was a highlight. Playing in front of that Suncorp crowd, with my wife and daughter watching on, it was a really emotional night. I’ll never forget it,” Gibbon reflected.

“For all of us Rebels boys, last year was extremely tough, experiencing such unknowns. To be accepted into the Reds family when we moved up here, it was awesome. Prior to my injury I was just loving playing up here and loving life at the Reds.

“I spent a lot of time with Isaac Henry and Will McCulloch in rehab, and a few of the other guys who came in and out, and I’ve got so much time for all of the boys.

“Wello (Queensland Reds physiotherapist Dave Wellington) and I have had a lot of time together and I could see his frustration because we both expected me to get better, but as time was going on nothing was working. I have a lot of appreciation for Wello, we had some really good long chats and he’s a good man, and also Nigel Goh who was there helping me lift weights.

“I would have loved to have spent more time with ‘Kissy’ (Reds Head Coach Les Kiss). He’s a great coach. I have been around the park a long time and had some great coaches, but the level of detail that ‘Choc’ and ‘Fish’ (Reds Assistant Coaches Zane Hilton and Jonathan Fisher) have is unparalleled. We are so blessed to have this coaching staff at the Reds.”