Queensland Reds prop and Wallaby Matt Gibbon has announced his retirement from professional rugby following a serious knee injury sustained during pre-season that has ruled out any chance of a return to the field.
Gibbon, 30, suffered the injury just before Christmas, dislocating his kneecap and damaging the cartilage to the point where the joint is now bone-on-bone. Despite months of rehab and input from multiple specialists, the injury has proven to be career-ending.
“I would have loved to have played for another five years,” Gibbon said. “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.”
A proud product of Alstonville in northern New South Wales, Gibbon was raised by his grandparents and credits his late grandfather Dave Pollock as the man who first put a rugby ball in his hands.
“My grandpa was the reason I played rugby. He was our first coach at the Wollongbar-Alstonville Pioneers and gave everything to help us play,” Gibbon said. “He passed away recently, but I still think about him often. He and my grandma gave us so much, and I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”
Both Matt and his older brother Alex — a former Australian Sevens and Queensland Reds representative — attended Nudgee College before playing Shute Shield in Sydney. Their journey through rugby was a shared one from the backyard to the national stage.
“Alex and I were just two little mongrels from Alstonville. Somehow, we both ended up playing for Australia. I followed him to Sydney, then into professional rugby, and now we’re already talking about coaching junior teams together. That shared journey has meant a lot,” Gibbon said.
Gibbon played 75 Super Rugby games for the Melbourne Rebels between 2018 and 2023, before fulfilling a long-held dream by signing with the Queensland Reds. He made his debut for Queensland against Wales at Suncorp Stadium in 2024, becoming Red No. 1401. He also played against Tonga and in a non-cap tour game against Japan's Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights during his short but proud stint.
“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 said.
Gibbon has had a positive experience at Ballymore, forging strong connections with players and staff alike. He told the playing group of his decision to retire at Suncorp Stadium following the victory over the Fijian Drua.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Gibbon also represented the Wallabies six times, making his Test debut in 2022 against Argentina in Mendoza, and earning a further six caps with Australia A.
Now, he begins a new chapter. A qualified electrician, Gibbon is finalising his building licence and working in real estate — pivoting his career while still recovering from injury.
“With my knee the way it is, I can’t be crawling through ceilings or under houses anymore. So I’ve gone back to learning — finishing my builder’s licence and getting started in real estate.
"I’ve found that the mindset I used in rugby — chasing improvement, staying consistent with the one-percenters — translates perfectly,” Gibbon said.
Gibbon also paid tribute to those who have supported him on and off the field.
“I want to thank my wife, Zanthe for everything. It was just the two of us down in Melbourne for all of those years with no family support. She’s so amazing and I can never thank her enough,” Gibbon said.
“That’s one of the tough things in rugby. You can’t always be there with your family and that’s a positive that now I can spend the time with them, especially as we await the arrival of our baby boy later this year.”
While professional rugby is behind him, Gibbon says the game will always be part of his life.
“I’ll always stay involved in the game. Whether it’s coaching my kids or helping out locally, rugby’s given me so much. I want to give back in the same way. There are plenty more kids out there like Alex and I who just need the opportunity,” Gibbon said.
