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| Shawn Mackay |
Australian Rugby is in shock after Brumbies forward Shawn Mackay passed away in a South African hospital today from injuries sustained when struck by a car in Durban last week.
The tragedy has rocked the sporting community.
“Obviously the thoughts and prayers of everyone in the game go to Shawn’s family at this most difficult time,” said ARU Managing Director and CEO John O’Neill.
“Shawn was a wonderful young man, a credit to the game of Rugby, and much loved by all who knew him. “We were all hoping after the terrible events of last week that he would recover from what were horrific injuries.
“He had a fighting spirit that inspired those around him. “As captain of the Australian Sevens team, his leadership qualities were evident to anyone who came into contact with that team.
“Last year he also took on the coaching of the Australian Women’s Sevens team and guided them to the Oceania title which qualified the side for the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens.
“The girls, after winning the World Cup in Dubai last month, paid tribute to the role Shawn played last year in assisting them on their quest.
“This news today has shocked not only the Rugby world but the entire sporting fraternity given the friends Shawn had across the various codes.”
Shawn’s father John was a former Eastern Suburbs rugby league player, and Shawn was following the same career path with the Roosters before switching codes.
A former pupil at Waverley College in Sydney, Mackay graduated from the Sevens program into Super 14 this season with the Canberra-based Brumbies.
He made his debut off the bench for the Brumbies against the Lions in their opening tour match in South Africa a little over a fortnight ago and won his second cap as a replacement in the game against the Sharks in Durban on March 28.
Hours later on a night out with teammates he was struck by a car crossing a road in the city.
His injuries were extensive and there were complications to follow when he contracted an infection as a consequence of the multiple injuries sustained.
Shattered Brumbies players only learned of the tragic news on returning to Sydney this afternoon from their tour to South Africa.
Shawn’s parents John and Leonie and his partner Trish had flown to South Africa early last week to be by his side. Brumbies manager Rob McQuade and team doctor Warren McDonald also stayed in South Africa after the Brumbies tour concluded with a game against the Cheetahs at the weekend.
-Au.com |
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