How Brody McLaren, son of a Scottish football gun is now a Waratahs U18s rugby rising star

He’s the son of a dual code international who was born in France and then raised in regional NSW before shifting to Queensland. So why is he in Sydney as a Waratahs young gun?

Brody McLaren scoring for the Waratahs against Western Force.

You have to wonder what state and country allegiances a rugby teenager born in France to an Australian mum and Scottish dad - who met in country NSW as kids before marrying and moving to Brisbane - has.

Brody McLaren, a young fullback picked up by the Waratahs after playing for the Queensland Reds in the Super Rugby U19s series last year, said even when living and playing north of the border he went for the Waratahs.

“I've always gone for the blue because I grew up in Bathurst,’’ he said.

“But that made for quite a tough childhood growing up in Queensland and being a Blues supporter. I coped a bit.’’

Fullback Brody McLaren scoring for the Waratahs.

Despite being born in France to a Scottish dad his ultimate dream would be to run out in the green and gold.

“It’s all over the place, my backstory,’’ said McLaren, now based in Sydney after an invite from the Manly Marlins on Sydney’s northern beaches to play colts rugby this season.

McLaren’s father James played both rugby and league for his country of birth with Brody living overseas as a youngster due to his rugby career in France and Scotland.

The 19-year-old, now based in Manly with a Marlins teammate, also played both footy codes at schools in Bathurst and Brisbane along with cricket.

Brody McLaren playing for the Reds. Picture credit: QRU Media

Brody McLaren now wears Blue

“Union was the one I liked the best,’’ McLaren said, “I like the space and it’s probably the one I understood the best.’’

McLaren said he is looking forward to taking on his old teammates at the Reds in Saturday’s U20 trial match at Ballymore.

The Waratahs U20s go into the match with two wins under their belt against the ACT Brumbies and their most recent win over the Western Force in Sydney last weekend.

“It should be pretty cool. I mean, I know all of them up there pretty

much,’’ he said.

“It’s always a big rivalry between New South Wales and Queensland in rugby.’’

McLaren made his presence felt in the match against Western Force with a good try in the victory last Saturday.

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Originally published as How Brody McLaren, son of a Scottish football gun is now a Waratahs U18s rugby rising star