CARDIFF: Wallabies rookie Sean McMahon says his "heart melted a little bit" when he told his parents he would be making his Test debut against Wales. But the Australian under-20s star has vowed not to get caught up in the hype of a packed Millennium Stadium in what coach Michael Cheika describes as the start of McMahon's Wallabies journey.
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McMahon's dad, Pat, and oldest brother Sam will make a late dash to Cardiff to watch him take the next step in his rapid rise through the ranks. Even McMahon is surprised to be there after cancelling a holiday in Mexico to join the Wallabies tour.
His family's presence will make the match even more special and to understand why you only need to look at McMahon's body. The McMahon men – Pat, Sam, Adam and Sean - had "McMahon" tattooed on themselves as a present for his grandma Betty's 70th birthday.
"She didn't like it for a bit, but then she came around," McMahon laughed. "We're not together very often, dad works overseas and we live in different cities so when we got together we decided to do it. On my back I've got a big piece which says, 'what we have we hold' which is on our family emblem with my two brothers' names, mum's and dad's as well."
Pat McMahon works security at the mines in Gabon, West Africa, and his sacrifice to work abroad on three-month stints funded Sean's dream of playing rugby and going to Nudgee College in Brisbane.
"Family is huge for me, without them I wouldn't be here. Mum got me to rugby and dad worked overseas to provide me with opportunities to go to Nudgee College," McMahon said. "When dad said he was flying himself and my brother over … to be able to tell your dad and everyone [you're playing for the Wallabies] it melts your heart a little bit."
The 20-year-old had planned a trip to Mexico with his Melbourne teammates to end his debut year of professional rugby. The Rebels have been sending photos to McMahon of their trip, "but I'd 100 per cent rather be here, it's a bit of a mind-blow".
McMahon led the Australian under-20s team at the junior world championships, won a bronze medal in rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games and was named as Australia's Super Rugby rookie of the year.
By his own admission, he thought he was "at the bottom" of the flanker pecking order behind David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Matt Hodgson, Liam Gill and even Melbourne teammate Colby Faingaa.But an outstanding performance against the Barbarians last week sent his dream year to dizzying heights.
"There's chat that this is a great way to cap off a year for Sean, but this is just the start for him. A chance to really build something going forward," Cheika said. "He's not fazed by it, he's excited to get into it and that's what we want. He was unknown to me until not long ago … he's a tough guy, likes to get in the mix and wants to be a part of it."
