Written by Jim Tucker, courtesy of qld.rugby Source article
The Queensland Rugby Union is excited to welcome former Wallabies prop Matt Gibbon and outside back Lachie Anderson to the Reds for the 2025 season.
Agreeing to join the Queensland Reds for 2025 triggers the availability of the talented duo for the Reds’ big Friday night clash against Wales at Suncorp Stadium.
“This is like a full circle moment for me. As a kid who played for Nudgee College and Queensland Schoolboys, playing for the Reds has always been an end goal,” said Gibbon, who grew up in the northern NSW town of Alstonville.
Gibbon, 29, and Anderson, 26, were both high-performers in the 2024 Rebels side which reached the Super Rugby Pacific quarter-finals for the first time.
Gibbon’s brother Alex played for the Reds in 2016.
“Life took me along a different path to six years with the Rebels and the highlights of my time in Melbourne,” said Gibbon, who has played six Tests.
“Obviously, it has been a pretty tumultuous year for everyone involved at the Rebels so it feels awesome to have my future settled for my young family.
“I see a very professional outfit at the Reds. I’m ecstatic because (Reds head coach) Les Kiss made me feel wanted from our first conversations after I’d been kicking stones for a month.
“The Reds have a big game against Wales. If ever the Welsh are going to try to comeback with spirit and a big forward effort, this is the one.”
“I’m excited to be staying involved in Australian rugby,” said Anderson, a skilful outside back who played rugby sevens for Australia in 2021 at the Tokyo Olympics.
“What really connected with me is the expansive, running style that the Reds are building and being a part of that.
“It can never be underestimated what having clarity on your future can do for your on-field performances.
“There have been some stressful months this year for everyone involved at the Rebels so to have this certainly means I can concentrate on being a better footy player.”
Anderson was a team-mate of Reds co-captain Liam Wright in the Australian Under-20s side of 2017 and played Australian sevens with fellow co-captain Tate McDermott.
The match against Wales has the potential to draw the biggest crowd to a Reds’ game in four years with more than 20,000 fans expected.
“The collisions, the aerial game, needing to nail the few chances you get…it will be a real international match,” Anderson said.
Reds head coach Les Kiss says he is delighted to see Gibbon and Anderson on board.
“Lachie’s experience from sevens to 15s and his versatility to play several positions in the outside backs will be valuable with the style he plays,” Kiss said.
“It’s great to see Matt at a place he regards as home in a rugby sense. He will bring important experience to the set piece and the right qualities and values to our locker room.”
Matt Gibbon
Position: Prop
Height: 184cm
Weight: 117kg
Born: 03/06/1995
Born: Lismore, NSW
Senior Club: Bond University
School: Nudgee College
Super Rugby Debut: 2019 Rebels v Brumbies, Canberra
Super Rugby Caps: 75 (Rebels)
Tries: 4
Tests: 6
Lachie Anderson
Position: Outside bac
Height: 187cm
Weight: 97kg
Born: 27/08/1997
Born: Sydney, NSW
Senior Club: TBC
School: Oakhill College, Sydney
Super Rugby Debut: 2020 Rebels v Western Force, Melbourne
Super Rugby Caps: 35 (Rebels)
Tries: 14
