Sevens skipper signs with CA Brumbies

Shawn Mackay in action for the Australian Sevens side earlier this year

The CA Brumbies have signed Australian Sevens captain Shawn Mackay to a one-year rookie contract for the 2009 Investec Super 14 season.

The 26-year-old lock/flanker has six state caps for the NSW Waratahs and has been a member of the Australian Sevens side since 2004.

Mackay, who spent five years with the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League, says he’s looking forward to playing ‘Brumbies rugby’.

“I’m probably one of the older rookies going around but I’ll be looking to draw on my experience to make the most of any opportunities I get at this level,” he said.

“The Brumbies have always looked to play a really positive, high-pace, attacking style of rugby and I think that’ll suit my game. It’s an exciting time to join the Brumbies – with a new coach and coaching staff, and a number of key players joining the squad – and I’m really looking forward to being part of the Brumbies’ set-up.

“Fortunately I already know a lot of the guys there already through school, club footy or Sevens; they keep saying Canberra’s the best place in the world to play rugby and what a great feel there is already around squad – I just can’t wait to get down there and get stuck into it.”

Born in Sydney, Mackay attended Waverley College alongside current CA Brumbies Stephen Hoiles and Patrick Phibbs. After leaving school Mackay played rugby league with the Sydney Roosters, representing their SG Ball and Jersey Flegg divisions before winning a premiership for the club’s Premier Division in a side that also featured CA Brumbies centre Tyrone Smith.

In 2004 he returned to rugby union and was immediately selected in the Australian Sevens squad, where he was promoted to captain the side the following year.

Mackay represented the NSW Waratahs in each of their Australian Provincial Championship matches in 2006 and was included in the ensuing Waratahs’ Northern Hemisphere development tour of the UK. He joined Brisbane club University this year and was selected in the Queensland XV representative side that defeated an Auckland Air New Zealand Cup side, 42-0, on the Sunshine Coast last month.

CA Brumbies Head Coach Andy Friend says Mackay’s mobility will make him well-suited to the Investec Super 14.                                                                                                                   
“Shawn’s a great prospect for the Brumbies with the way the game’s evolving,” he said. “He’s had a lot of experience in the high-paced Sevens environment which will stand him in excellent stead for the quick pace of the game and the high tempo with which we want to play in 2009.
                                                                                                                    
“He’s a very mobile player, he’s extremely fit and he’s an accomplished lineout jumper and he’ll be pushing hard for a Super 14 berth next year.”

Brumbies Rugby CEO Andrew Fagan says Mackay will be ‘good fit’ for the CA Brumbies.

“Shawn’s a talented player who comes to the Brumbies with the benefit of having played a variety of football,” he said. “He’s excelled in Sevens having captained the side for the past few years, he’s been an outstanding club player throughout his career – both for Randwick in Sydney and University in Brisbane – and he also has the benefit of having spent some time in rugby league.

“In addition to this he’s proven himself to be a mature player with strong leadership qualities and a very positive attitude, and we’re looking forward to him being part of the squad next year.”

Mackay, who will coach the Australian Women’s Sevens side in their IRB World Cup Qualifiers in Samoa later this month, joins last year’s CA Brumbies debutante, Afusipa Taumoepeau, as rookie-contracted players for 2009.

Shawn Mackay

Position: Flanker/lock
Physical: 1.96m; 102kg
Born: 31.05.1982, Sydney
Club: University (Qld)