Family values: The unique heritage driving McLean brothers
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Emerging Panther Casey McLean has opened up on the role family values played in his rise to the NRL as he looks to celebrate his New Zealand and Chinese heritage throughout Multicultural Round.
McLean and his older brother Jesse are considered two of the hottest young prospects in the NRL, with Casey becoming a regular fixture in Penrith's starting side and starring for the Kiwis in last year's Pacific Championships.
The family ties to rugby league run deep for the McLean brothers, with their father Willie a former North Sydney Bear. Former Eels and Storm star Alex Chan is their uncle, making current Melbourne edge forward Joe Chan their cousin.
Holding up Mum and Dad - Casey McLean
Born 15 months apart, the brothers have developed a close bond that Casey feels has played a key role in their rise to the NRL.
"Jesse is the one that tells me the truth," Casey said. "I get a perspective from the coach and the coaching staff telling me what I can do better, what I've been doing well but he's the last line of defence for me.
"I go to him and the old man, they're really special to me. My dad played and [Jesse] is the one training with me, seeing how I go about things. They're the last line of what am I doing wrong, what can I do better?"
Match: Roosters v Panthers
Round 3 -
home Team
Roosters
10th Position
away Team
Panthers
3rd Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Penrith will travel east to take on the Roosters in a Multicultural Round showdown at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
The match will provide Casey a chance to honour his New Zealand and Chinese ancestry, with Joe Chan to do the same for the Storm in a grand-final rematch against the Broncos a couple of hours later.
Joe's father Alex and Casey's mother Shannon are siblings, with the pair sharing Chinese heritage.
Family meals were a regular occurrence during the McLean's childhood, with Chan also enjoying plenty of home cooked meals by Shannon.
The trio are among a small contingent of players in the NRL with Chinese heritage but McLean is confident the number will continue to grow as more children of Asian backgrounds take up the sport at the community level.
"With Joe having the Chinese background as well it's cool to have that as part of who we are," McLean said. "Mum does cook a really nice Chinese meal, it was always a fan favourite in the household when it came out.
"Hopefully there will be more Chinese players, but not just Chinese, anyone around. This is a place of growth, this league is so welcoming to anyone.
"You don't have to be a certain shape or size, it's welcoming. You see it all around the NRL, there's boys that are different shapes, sizes, tall or short. If you like it and like the game so much, it doesn't feel like you're doing work."
A former NSW Under 19 representative, McLean made a major career sacrifice when he opted to represent New Zealand at the international level.
Under the previous eligibility rules, the decision ruled him out of playing State of Origin.
New Zealand Eligible Players Top Tries from Round 2
McLean had accepted the fact he would never play for the Blues before a major change to the Origin rules was announced earlier this year, clearing the path for England and New Zealand players to feature in the interstate series if they meet certain criteria.
NSW are looking for an outside back following the defection of Zac Lomax to rugby union and while he's not thinking too far ahead, McLean said the changes will be positive for international rugby league.
"They're trying to grow the game as much as they can," McLean said. "That's a good way of doing it.
"I've always had New Zealand first for me and that was a choice I had to make but now I get the benefit of being able to represent where I've grown up as well. It's the best of both worlds."
