Key Wallaby set to leave Australian rugby

RUGBY UNION: Australian rugby is set to lose key back-rower Sean McMahon, who has confirmed he has signed a two-year deal to play in Japan in a move likely to rule him out of the next World Cup.

The 23-year-old will join a Japanese club, tipped to be Suntory, next year and through 2019 under the deal.

McMahon and his wife Nia agreed the move was best for the Melbourne Rebels star, despite the prospect of him missing out on the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

“We’re done with the Rebels after this season. All I can say is I won’t be playing in Australia next year, I will be gone for two years,” McMahon said. “It was a very big call. “There were a few factors that came into it, a few personal ones and a few other issues that I don’t really want to go into.

“But it obviously was a big decision for my career, and for my personal life as well. I’m pretty happy with the decision and so is my wife.”

McMahon – who has played 15 Tests, including two games in the 2015 World Cup – revealed he does not have a clause in his favour to depart after one season, which means if he wants to play for Australia at the World Cup he’d need to request a release.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika tried to talk McMahon out of his departure but the flanker had already agreed to terms.

“We sat down and had a really good chat about staying and a lot of the elements of where things are going towards the World Cup,” McMahon said.

“At that stage it was probably just a tad too late.”