There’s a rare group that have scored against the British & Irish Lions. There’s a rare group to run for MP. Lachlan McCaffrey did both in a month.
McCaffrey is preparing the NSW Waratahs for their own tilt at the Lions as defensive coach on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.
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The former back-rower is one of several on the Waratahs’ coaching staff who have shared their experiences after coming off the bench for the Western Force in 2013.
Whilst the 69-17 effort was one to forget for many, McCaffrey made good use of his 28-minute stint with a nice try close to the line.
“My mum and my grandpa flew over from Sydney to Perth to watch a game, so it was pretty special,” he told Rugby.com.au.
“I came off the bench and just tried to have as many involvements as possible in a short amount of time and I dummied Manu [Tuilagi] for the try.
“I ended up playing with Manu a few years later at Leicester Tigers and used to remind him that I dummied him and scored under the post and he just came back and reminded me that they won by 40-50 points. So, that was fair.”
McCaffrey was finished with the Force after that game and would eventually join the ACT Brumbies.
However, a brief stint in politics was to follow, contesting the seat of Bennelong at the 2013 federal election with the Democratic Labour Party.
He won 0.70% of the vote, returning to familiar grounds instantly.
“Dad was running for the Democratic Labor Party at the time and he asked me for some help and I can't say no to the old man, so unfortunately got roped into some politics, but yeah, it was a short stint, mate,” he added.
McCaffrey has played across the world before returning to the Waratahs, still connected to several in the Lions squad, including England prop Ellis Genge, who he used to live with.
"He’s told me he's going. to give me his jersey if he plays,” McCaffrey laughed.
“I also used to sit next to [Canberra-born winger] Mack Hansen in the team at the Brumbies. We shared a lot of good times together.
“I’m excited to see Mack and ‘Gengey’ and hopefully we don’t give them too much time with the ball and too much space.”
With a potential stadium record crowd expected at Allianz Stadium for the big mtahc, the ex-back rower was excited for the Waratahs to feel the unique atmosphere.
“You're playing in front of full stadiums with 50-60,000 people cheering and at the end of the day, unless you're playing international rugby for other players, that might be the best atmosphere and crowd you ever play against. So, if you can't get up for these type of games, then you're probably in the wrong sport,” he said.
“I don't think it's intimidating, I think it's more exciting, you know, seeing the Lions supporters, they create an atmosphere like no other and it only adds hype and atmosphere to the occasion.
“I'm really excited to see thousands and thousands of Lions supporters come over and travel and just add another level to that atmosphere that Australian stadiums are going to experience."
