William Alexander McKid

Bill McKid was described by fellow Wallaby Peter Horton as the definitive New South Wales Country rugby man. A wiry, flint hard and tremendously fit centre, McKid was no-nonsense with a sharp laconic wit.

Born in the central north New South Wales town of Barraba, McKid was sent to board at The Scots College in Sydney’s east. Aside from his time in Sydney as a schoolboy, McKid played all his club football for Barraba. His first representative rugby was with the barnstorming NSW Country teams of 1974-75 under coach Daryl Haberecht and it was from there that McKid emerged as a genuine Wallaby prospect. His first outing against an international team was in 1974 for Country against the All Blacks at Dubbo. McKid played five-eighth, outside the mercurial John Hipwell at halfback in what was a more than respectable 4-27 loss in muddy conditions.

Later that year he debuted for New South Wales against Queensland. A year later NSW Country dominated the selection of the Sixth Wallabies tour to Britain and McKid went on to make his Test debut against England at Twickenham. He toured France and Italy at the end of 1976 but did not play in either Test and then somewhat amazingly the following year Australia did not play one single international. McKid toured to New Zealand in 1978 however Martin Knight won the outside centre position for the 1st Test. McKid returned for the 2nd Test in Christchurch and retained his spot for the historic 3rd Test, 30-16 victory at Eden Park. BIll McKid played six Tests for Australia in a four-year international career.

Highlights

1976

McKid won his first Test cap at outside centre alongside captain Geoff Shaw in the 6-23 loss to England at Twickenham. He picked up a second cap, again with Shaw, in the 1st Test, 22-6 victory over Fiji in Sydney.

1977

The Wallabies did not play a Test match in 1977.

1978

McKid started the final two Tests of the Bledisloe Cup series at No.13, the first outside Andrew Slack and the second in combination of Ken Wright.

1979

McKid partnered Tony Melrose in both of the home series’ losses to Ireland.