{{Short description|Italy international rugby union player}} {{Use British English|date=August 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Luke McLean | image = Luke McLean.jpg | birth_name = Luke McLean | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|6|29|df=yes}} | birth_place = Townsville, Australia | height = 1.90 m | weight = {{convert|95|kg|lb stlb|abbr=on}} | position = Fullback, Wing, Fly-half | ru_currentteam = London Irish | amatyears1 = | amatteam1 = | years1 = 2007 | years2 = 2007–2009 | years3 = 2009–2014 | years4 = 2014–2015 | years5 = 2015−2017 | years6 = 2017−2019 | clubs1 = Perth Spirit | clubs2 = Calvisano | clubs3 = Benetton Treviso | clubs4 = Sale Sharks | clubs5 = Benetton Treviso | clubs6 = London Irish | apps1 = 4 | apps2 = 39 | apps3 = 81 | apps4 = 11 | apps5 = 34 | apps6 = 29 | points1 = 16 | points2 = 80 | points3 = 71 | points4 = 10 | points5 = 10 | points6 = 15 | ru_clubupdate = 13 December 2018 | repyears1 = 2008–2019 | repteam1 = {{nrut|Italy}} | repcaps1 = 89 | reppoints1 = 74 | ru_ntupdate = 18 March 2017 }} '''Luke McLean''' (born 29 June 1987) is a former professional rugby union footballer who played as a fullback. Born in Australia to an Italian mother, he won 89 caps for the Italy national team.
==Personal life== McLean was born in Townsville, Queensland.<ref name="Aussie five-eighth overlooked for Italy">{{Cite news|date=6 November 2008|accessdate=7 March 2009|title=Aussie five-eighth overlooked for Italy|publisher=We Love Rugby|first=Darren|last=Walton|url=http://www.weloverugby.com/sports.news.view.php?id=37481613|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220161846/http://www.weloverugby.com/sports.news.view.php?id=37481613|archivedate=20 February 2012}}</ref>
His mother's parents are both Italian; however, his grandfather had to give up his Italian citizenship to buy land in Australia.<ref name="Aussie bids to help Italy beat Ireland">{{Cite news|date=14 February 2009|accessdate=7 March 2009|title=Aussie bids to help Italy beat Ireland|publisher=Racing and Sports|url=http://www.racingandsports.com.au/sports/rsnewsart.asp?NID=144895 |url-status= live |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120309225625/http://www.racingandsports.com.au/sports/rsnewsart.asp?NID=144895 |archivedate=9 March 2012}}</ref>
McLean attended St. Laurence's College, in South Brisbane, during his schooling years. He was College captain in 2004.
==Career==
===Club career=== McLean played for Perth Spirit in the Australian Rugby Championship before joining Italian team Calvisano in 2007, turning down a training contract with Western Force.<ref name="Cool hand Luke out to do Italian job">{{Cite news|date=8 November 2008 |accessdate=8 February 2009 |title=Cool hand Luke out to do Italian job |publisher=Fox Sports |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24606525-23217,00.html |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913181150/http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0%2C8659%2C24606525-23217%2C00.html |archivedate=13 September 2009 }}</ref> McLean joined Benetton Treviso in 2009 where he played over 80 games. In mid 2014 he signed with the Sale Sharks on a two-year deal. McLean would then return to Benetton Treviso in Italy from the 2015–16 season.
On 2 June 2017 it was announced he had signed for London Irish in the English Premiership.<ref>{{cite web|title=NEW SIGNING: Italian international joins London Irish|url=http://www.london-irish.com/news/new-signing-italian-international-joins-london-irish/bp1353/|website=London Irish|publisher=London Irish Scottish Richmond Ltd.|accessdate=2 June 2017}}{{dead link|date=November 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He retired at the conclusion of the 2018–19 season.
===International career=== McLean was eligible for both Australia, being his country of birth, and Italy, due to his Italian grandmother. He represented the Australia under-19 side, helping the side to win the World under-19 championships.<ref name="Cool hand Luke out to do Italian job"/> He made his international debut for Italy against 2007 Rugby World Cup winners South Africa on 21 June 2008 in Cape Town. Italy were defeated 26–0.<ref name="South Africa 26-0 Italy">{{Cite news|date=21 June 2008|access-date=8 February 2009|title=South Africa 26–0 Italy|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7464828.stm}}</ref>
McLean scored his first international points on his Six Nations debut in the 36–11 defeat to England at Twickenham on 7 February 2009.<ref name="England 36-11 Italy"/> He scored two penalties in the first-half.<ref name="England 36-11 Italy">{{Cite news|date= 7 February 2009|access-date=8 February 2009|title=England 36–11 Italy|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7873600.stm}}</ref> He then played against Ireland on 15 February, scoring all of Italy's nine points, converting three penalties in the 38–9 defeat at Stadio Flaminio, Rome.<ref name="Ireland maintain their unbeaten start to Six Nations">{{Cite news|date=15 February 2009|accessdate=16 February 2009|title=Ireland maintain their unbeaten start to Six Nations|publisher=The Times|location=London|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article5740251.ece}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> McLean scored a further three points kicking a penalty in the 26–6 defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield on 28 February.<ref name="Spoon looms for Azzurri">{{Cite news|date=28 February 2009|accessdate=4 March 2009|title=Spoon looms for Azzurri|publisher=Sky Sports|first=Joe|last=Drabble|url=http://www.skysports.com/rugbyunion/match_report/0,20244,11069_2993903,00.html}}</ref> He featured in Italy's 20–15 loss to Wales on 15 March 2008 at Stadio Flaminio, failing to score any of Italy's points.<ref name="Wales endure red-face day">{{Cite news|date=15 March 2009|accessdate=15 March 2009|title=Wales endure red-face day|publisher=The Times|location=London|first=Nick|last=Cain|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article5907512.ece}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name="Italy 15-20 Wales">{{Cite news|date=14 March 2009|access-date=15 March 2009|title=Italy 15–20 Wales|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Sean|last=Davies|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7941510.stm}}</ref> McLean played in Italy's last Six Nations 2009 match against France on 21 March, losing 50–8.<ref name="Italy 8-50 France">{{Cite news|date=21 March 2009|access-date=28 March 2009|title=Italy 8–50 France|publisher=BBC Sport|first=James|last=Standley|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7946038.stm}}</ref>
McLean played a part in Italy's two match series on tour against Australia and New Zealand in 2009, scoring the majority of Italy's points.<ref name=2009-tour>{{cite web|date=28 June 2009|first=Daniel|last=Gilhooly|title=All Blacks Disappoint in Stuttering Win|website=voxy.co.nz|url=http://www.voxy.co.nz/sport/all-blacks-disappoint-stuttering-win/5/17123|accessdate=9 November 2013}}</ref> He scored a try against England in the 2013 Six Nations Championship.
In 2017, McLean played in all of Italy's 6 Nations matches and took on the role as one of the team's primary play-makers, playing at inside centre.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527105511/http://www.rugbycalvisano.it/articoli.php?IdArt=436 |title=Luke McLean player profile at rugbycalvisano.it}} {{in lang|it}}
{{Italy Squad 2011 World Cup}} {{Italy Squad 2015 Rugby World Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McLean, Luke}} Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Townsville Category:Australian rugby union players Category:Italian rugby union players Category:Australian people of Italian descent Category:Sportspeople of Italian descent Category:Italy international rugby union players Category:Italian expatriate rugby union players in England Category:Australian expatriate rugby union players in England Category:Italian expatriate sportspeople in Australia Category:Benetton Rugby players Category:Sale Sharks players Category:London Irish players Category:Rugby union fullbacks Category:Rugby union wings Category:Italian people of Australian descent Category:Australian emigrants to Italy Category:Expatriate rugby league players in England Category:Rugby union players from Queensland Category:2011 Rugby World Cup players Category:2015 Rugby World Cup players Category:People educated at St Laurence's College Category:Australian expatriate rugby union players Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen