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Former Wallaby Sean McMahon has snubbed Australia again
By Online Editors
Ex-Rebels and Wallaby backrower Sean McMahon seems determined to see through his decision to leave Australian Rugby, with the star loose forward turning down multiple offers to play Super Rugby in Australia in favour of joining the Japanese-based Sunwolves franchise.
According to a report by Rugby.com.au, the 24-year-old turned his back on offers from the Reds, Rebels, and the Force before making his decision.
McMahon left Australian Rugby after last year's Autumn International series, where the Wallabies suffered a record defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield.
At the time Michael Cheika made it publicly known that McMahon was a high priority for the Wallabies and Australian Rugby, 'putting the ball' in McMahon's court.
"We’ve been really clear with Sean about what we’d like," Cheika said.
"The ball is in his court."
He signed with Suntory Sungoliath in the Japan Top League, abandoning his international career in favour of a Japanese rendezvous. He will now play against all the Australian Rugby franchises with the Sunwolves in the Australian conference, after joining them on a one-year deal.
In order to play for the Wallabies again, McMahon will need to sign with an Australian-based franchise to be available without being eligible for the 60-cap exemption threshold.
He could potentially sign on for the 2020 season and squeeze his way into late World Cup contention, in a similar fashion to how Leicester Tigers and future Melbourne Rebel Matt Toomua has played for the Wallabies before donning his new club's jersey this year.
Earning a reported $800,000 per season in Japan, McMahon has little financial incentives to return home with Australian teams unable to fork out enough to put together an attractive package.
As a capped foreigner unable to play for the Japan national side, McMahon could have kept his body fresh for the domestic season, but instead will play a grueling Super Rugby season for little reward. Signing with the Sunwolves sends a significant message to Australian Rugby, with the JRFU backed-side possessing nowhere near the financial clout as the Japanese companies who run the Top League.
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Latest Comments
Disagree.
The challenge for the All Blacks now that they have 7 of 8 starting forwards locked in and all but one bench forward (only one loose forward and bench loosie to settle on) is to sort out the starting backline as only 9 Roigard, 12 J. Barrett, 11 Clarke and 15 Jordan had good to outstanding seasons in 2024. All the other backs were inconsistent or poor and question marks going into 2025.
Go to commentshe should not be playing 12. He should be playing 10 and team managers should stop playing players out of position to accommodate libbok.
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