Bill 'Snake Bite' McKid grew up in Mosman with mother Olive and sister Kirsty and learnt his rugby with Mosman Primary School and Mosman Junior Rugby. He played in the Under 10Bs in 1963 and graduated to the A team the following year, where he was coached by David Pritchard. He played for Mosman Juniors from 1967-68. Bill describes these as very memorable days.

His rugby must have caught the eye, because he represented Northern Suburbs U14s, where he trained under two other famous rugby Mosmanites, John Candy and Ron Polkinghorn.

After he left school (Scots College, where he made the Firsts in his final year), he played for his home town Barraba in northern NSW, progressing into the zone and Country sides.

After a sound debut for NSW, he was selected for the Wallabies tour of Britain in 1975-76, where he made his Test debut against England. He also toured France in 1976 and New Zealand in 1978, had a Test against Fiji and four against New Zealand. The highlight of his career was the memorable 30-16 victory against the All Blacks at Eden Park in 1978. McKid played 6 Tests for Australia.

A quick, slightly built outside centre, Jack Pollard describes him as a "busy, craftsmanlike, disciplined" player who set up his wingers to score.