Hugh McMeniman

Repeated injuries haven’t helped, but Hugh McMeniman finally started to build up some momentum in his international career in 2008, appearing in nine of the Wallabies’ last 12 matches, after being called into the squad as reinforcement. Capable in either the second row or on the blindside flank – having played Tests in both positions, McMeniman answers to the nickname ‘Madness’, which could easily query his continued perseverance with the game, despite a frustrating injury run. He missed most of the 2006 Super 14 due to a shoulder reconstruction, returned for the Wallabies’ spring tour, but lasted just eight minutes of his ‘comeback’ match before being stretchered off with a neck injury.

McMeniman was then restricted to just five Super rugby games last year by an ankle injury, and had injury concerns again during this year’s competition, but managed to bounce back to reclaim his Wallaby place on each occasion. McMeniman hails from the same Brisbane School, Nudgee College, which produced fellow Wallaby flanker, Rocky Elsom and the exciting newcomer James O’Connor.

2001   Represented Australian Schools out of Nudgee College.

2002   Represented the Queensland Under 19s.

2003-2004   Represented Queensland A whilst undertaking his rugby education in the Reds College.

2005   Made his Super 12 debut for the Reds in the opening match of the season against the Hurricanes in Brisbane and played eight further matches as a lock and one at blindside flanker. He was then selected in the winter Test squad and made his debut as a replacement in the opening Test against Samoa in Sydney before capping a phenomenal first year of professional rugby with thee starting XV appearances on the Spring Tour.

2006   A shoulder injury limited his Super 14 campaign to just four matches for the Reds and ruled him out of Test calculations. Returning for the Spring Tour, he lasted just eight minutes of his mid week appearance against the Ospreys in Swansea before being stretchered from the field with a neck injury.

2007   Two separate knee injuries stunted his Super 14 campaign to just five appearances for the Reds. Member of the Rugby World Cup squad, playing in four of the five matches.

2008   Restricted to just two Super rugby games due to injury but recovered to regain his Wallabies place, gaining nine more caps, which included four of the five Spring Tour Tests.