Full circle: McMahon embracing Wallabies return a decade on from bright-eyed debut

Thu, Sep 30, 2021, 7:28 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has spoken to media after naming his side for the final TRC match against Argentina.

Almost a decade ago, a 17-year-old Sean McMahon fresh out of school made his Australian debut in the shortened format at the 2011 Gold Coast Sevens.

The backrower will go full circle for a second/third debut of sorts when he pulls on the gold jersey for the Wallabies at Cbus Super Stadium against Argentina on Saturday.

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Selected on the bench, it will be 1407 days since his last appearance for the Wallabies - a 53-24 thumping defeat at the hands of Scotland at Murrayfield.

Having returned from Japan into a fresh-looking Wallabies squad, McMahon was excited about the opportunity to once again take his opportunity in gold on the Gold Coast.

“I feel like the new kid being back and getting another chance and this week I get that chance to put the gold jersey back on,” he told reporters.

“It is pretty funny that I get to put it back on where I started it all when I started playing Sevens under Michael O’Connor in the Sevens.

“It’s pretty exciting to be back here and do that again.”

McMahon was earning the praise of coaches even before his formal arrival in camp, with coach Dave Rennie marvelling at his elite fitness levels whilst in quarantine.

Getting used to life under Rennie and forwards coach Dan McKellar, McMahon reciprocated the kind words as their precise and clear directions guided him back up to speed and into the side.

“It’s my first time doing stuff with Dan but it’s great, it’s been direct and to the point,” he added.

“Dan knows exactly what he wants out of the forwards and he wants us to love the maul, line out and get those non-negotiables right.

“While I’ve been learning, I’ve had to do it at a quick pace and get that on board as quickly as possible along with the physicality that needs to be brought to that situation.

“Dave’s (Rennie) great, very similar to Dan. They know exactly what they want which gives the players the confidence when they are at training to nail the detail.”

READ MORE:

UNLEASH THE MAD DOG: McMahon, Holmes named to return

AVAILABLE: Skelton puts hand up for call-up

CATCHING UP: Wallabies eager to make up for 2020

It's rare you see a four-year wait between caps overshadowed but that will be the case if the immortal Greg Holmes finds his way onto the field from the bench, tieing a record from WWII.

For McMahon, seeing the 'relic' Holmes fueled his own ambitions to treasure his latest Wallabies stint and extend his own career, pending his body holding up.

“I’d love to be rolling around in my 40’s or 50’s, ‘Holmsey' might still be playing then,” he said with a smile.

“I’ll just keep trucking on along as the body keeps letting me go.”

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