Matt McIlwrick

Matt McIlwrick (born 4 June 1991) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League. He primarily plays at hooker, but can also fill in at lock. He previously played for the Canberra Raiders, Sydney Roosters and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.

Background

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, McIlwrick played his junior football for the Halswell Hornets. While playing for the Hornets, he represented the New Zealand Under 16s team. In 2008, he joined the Canberra Raiders on a 3-year contract.

Playing career

In 2008, McIlwrick played for the Canberra Raiders' S. G. Ball Cup team, winning the Players' Player award.

In Round 10 of the 2008 NYC season, McIlwrick made his NYC debut. He went on to play in 64 NYC matches between 2008 and 2011.

In 2010, McIlwrick played for the Junior Kiwis in their 2010 two-match series against the Junior Kangaroos.

Before the start of the 2012 NRL season, McIlwrick re-signed with the Raiders on a 2-year contract.

In 2012, McIlwrick moved on to the Raiders' New South Wales Cup team, Mount Pritchard Mounties.

In Round 8 of the 2012 NRL season, McIlwrick made his NRL debut for the Raiders against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.

On 18 April 2013, McIlwrick re-signed with the Raiders on a 2-year contract.

On 9 September 2014, McIlwrick was named in the New Zealand train-on squad for the 2014 Four Nations, but didn't make the final squad.

In November 2014, the Sydney Roosters made an inquiry about the contract status of McIlwrick, looking to potentially sign him as a back-up to regular hooker Jake Friend, but the approach was ultimately turned down by the Raiders.

On 4 December 2014, after coming to an agreement, McIlwrick signed a 1-year contract with the Sydney Roosters starting in 2015, after being released from the final year of his Raiders contract.

McIlwrick went on to play in 8 games for the Roosters in the 2015 season, but was released at the end of the year. On 20 November 2015, he signed a 1-year contract with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks starting in 2016.

In September 2016, McIlwrick was named at hooker in the 2016 Intrust Super Premiership NSW Team of the Year. In late 2016, Jason Taylor announced that McIlwrick had signed with the Wests Tigers on a one-year contract starting in 2017.