Wallaby picks Sunwolves over Australia

NEWS: Wallaby loose forward Sean McMahon will play Super Rugby next year, but in the colours of the Sunwolves.

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.

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 gruelling 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.