SEAN MCMAHON "Unexplainable Feelings"

Sean McMahon who is in great shape after returning from a severe injury. We asked him about his current state of mind and how he plans to fight for his first victory of the season and beyond. (Interview Date：Late Jan, 2025 )

◆Perfect in body and mind

――Congratulations on the first win of the season against Honda!

The first couples of games were tough, but we were able to swallow what we had been holding on to, and lead to win a good victory.

――You said in your pre-season interview that you were in the best shape of your life You've been playing right along with it!

My body and mind are perfect position, and I just had to execute what I need to do it in the five games so far. I would like to can continue to do so and built more confidence and performance.

――You must be having a lot of fun playing now.

Yes, Of course, it's been exciting. But the nerve before a game is serious, and sometimes I am not sure if I can do or can't do it when I get into the game. But now I just have to execute and play so that we are happy when we get on the field.

――Did you have that feeling before the injury?

I've always loved playing rugby since I was a little and I think that's something I've had ad been brought up。This was same when I played Super Rugby, and when I played for the Wallabies (Australian national team). However, there is an emotion that I cannot explain, because it is a lot of fun to be able to do what I love to do, considering that two years ago I was injured and had to sit on the sideline.

――Your mood has brightened up a lot.

Yeah, I am glad (lol) .I am trying to show to everyone as well! Lol

―― Does your family come to the game?

Yes, they have come to see almost all of our five games so far. My younger son in particular saw me play for the first time and was delighted to see his father playing on the field, which made me proud. They drive me back to the field again and I realize that we have come this far because of our two children.

――Did your Daddy's scores improve from your children?

Hmmm! I don't know (lol）but、My wife and both of my boys has brought me back where I am now and in this conditions today. They are the reason I do move and what I do so I cannot explain the　feeling.

◆110% and 120% of my strength.

――It has been in a rare situation where the team didn't win as much as this, what did you think about when your own form and the team's performance didn't link up?

The first couple games are hard and there was a time felt frustrating. However, this is the great team and we have done a lot of good things and it was a small things that it didn't lead up to the winning. However, in these situations, I always think what I need to do and how can I contribute to the team and that is what I always try to do it. My mind-set is always same which contributed to team and do what I need to do for my role. This was always same as it is a training and it is a game, do always in 110%, 120%. Do what I need to do. And I do hope that this will lead to the team's result and effort.

――Do you have any tips on how to give 110% or 120% of your own strength?

There is no way of doing it, but I've always doing it that way. It is my way of giving my all.

――Do you think other teammates should be the same, especially in the current situation?

My way is my way and it doesn't work for everyone. I think it is same that we do our own work, but other people have their own skills and they have their own way of doing it.

――Twice in five weeks you've been selected Players' Player of the Week (*the best player of the week, including practice, chosen by the players among themselves) by your teammates, and I think people look at Sean Mcmahon and feel that he's great the way he does it, don't they?

It is very honored. I think it's wonderful that they saw myself and felt that way. But I think what I have been doing is to focus on what I must do and I keep doing and this leads to the win. So I want to keep working on that. I would be grateful that if others see me and learned from it.

◆There is No limit as a player.

――Roughly a third of the season is over, but is your body OK?

Very Good! I was on the sidelines all the time after my injury, so I realized again how tough on my body it is to be in the game. I've been very refreshed during this by week and my condition is very good! The next five game will be quite tough, but I am in perfect shape

――Dare I say, what are your current challenges?

Always strong! In physicality, the body always has to be trained. In skills, make sure to do good tackles, So always need to improve everything. It's not that we are missing something, but that we always need to grow.

――What percentage of your ideal figure have you reached so far?

The limit is sky-high, so that's not happening (lol). And when I say 90%, I don't know how much of the remaining 10% is there, when we say 70 per cent, we don't know how much of the remaining 30 per cent. I think it is important to keep going, so as a player there is no limit. I want to grow wherever I can.

――You want to get up in the sky and see things from the sky?

There is a moon in the sky, so No limit! (lol)

――What do you think is important for the team going forward?

Of course, Wining is important. But also, What we have to do now is to finish what we have been given the chance to do. We have done a lot of things, but We haven't been able to win at the very end, so I think it's important to finish the opportunity and that will lead us the win and push towards to the finals!

――How is for the next round against the Shizuoka Blue Revs?

My Job is to be better. As a team, as I said earlier, we have to finish the opportunity to win at the end and I think it's important to make sure we take advantage of the opportunities that come our way. Have strong physicality, from the start of the match and the start of the second half until the end. It is important to do it with the same strength.

(Interview & Structure: Kazuyoshi Hariya /Translator: Ayumi Shiratori)
[Photo: Aki Nagao]