Wallaby McMahon heads to Japan

McMahon has signed a two-year deal with a Japanese club, however, the club have yet to make an official announcement.

According to rugby.com.au, the 23-year-old has been linked with the Japanese club for months and has finally spoken publicly about his departure from the Rebels.

"We’ll be done with the Rebels at the end of this season and all I can say is I won’t be playing in Australia next year," McMahon told rugby.com.au.

"It was a very big call to make.

"There were a few factors, a few personal ones and a few other issues I don’t really want to go into but it obviously was a big decision for my career and my personal life as well. Pretty happy with my decision and so is my wife [Nia],"

The flank does have the option of to return back in time for the World Cup but will miss a large chunk of Australia' World cup preparation.

"If I want to come back, it’ll be a decision I’ll have to come back at that time," he said.

"There’s still a chance, maybe down the track I might change my mind [about 2019].

"It was great to have the opportunity to play in the World Cup, not a lot of people get to do that,"

McMahon has found it hard to crack a regular Wallabies’ starting spot, especially with  Michael Hooper and David Pocock getting the nod ahead of him.

Furthermore, injuries for the last year did not help his Wallaby cause.

"‘Poey’ [Pocock] and ‘Hoops’ [Hooper] have taught me a hell of a lot, have pushed me to limits I probably haven’t been before, which pushed me to be a better athlete," he said

"So, as much as it was I probably didn’t get personally the run I wish I could’ve got but they’re great players to have learned and played with and I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve taught me along the way,"

Source: rugby.com.au